Chapter 4 — I Refuse to Be a Concubine

Give the Heir to the House of Gu as a concubine.

Absolutely not. My elder sister refused without a moment of hesitation. The Heir has already declared that he only desires Sweetie.

If I cannot possess Sweetie, I cannot marry into the family either.

Hearing this, my elder brother let out a long, weary sigh.

I still have one method left. One that can force the annulment of the engagement between Sweetie and the Prince of the North.

After consuming the delicate pastries my brother had prepared with his own hands, a fierce heat began to radiate through my entire body. Just as I reached out to loosen my collar, a sharp creak echoed as the door was pushed open.

It was Gu Yan Yu. His cheeks were flushed a deep, unnatural crimson, displaying the very same symptoms I was suffering from. A vague suspicion coalesced in my mind, yet I desperately wanted to deny that my own brother would subject me to such cruelty.

Sweetie, Gu Yan Yu rasped, his voice thick with a feverish intensity. He clawed at his own robes, stumbling closer to me. Help me, won't you?

Never. I snatched the silver hairpin from my hair and ruthlessly drove the sharp point into the palm of my hand. The sudden spike of pain jolted my senses, sharpening my clarity. I staggered toward the door and sprinted into the courtyard, only to realize that every maid had been cleared away. The only person with the authority to command such a thing was my brother. He had truly conspired with outsiders to destroy me. I had no time to wallow in despair, for Gu Yan Yu was already pursuing me. I ran until I reached the edge of the lotus pond within the estate and threw myself into the dark, frigid water. I had fallen into this pond as a child and learned to swim out of necessity, but Gu Yan Yu had never learned. He stood on the bank, frantic and helpless.

Moments later, my brother and sister arrived. My brother spoke in a low, cold tone: Get out of the water first. My sister chimed in, her voice thin: The water is freezing; you will catch a chill if you stay in there. Seeing that I refused to emerge, my brother waded in to seize me. I immediately pressed the silver hairpin against my own throat, my voice trembling: Do not take another step.

In the midst of our struggle, the sound of an arrival echoed from the courtyard. Xie Chen Liu had come. The servants attempted to bar his path, but their efforts were futile. Only when he stood before me did I finally dare to climb from the water. A flicker of suppressed rage burned in his eyes: Did they bully you?

Gu Yan Yu had already retreated, shielded by the presence of my brother and sister. The they he referred to were my own kin. At his words, my sister’s face turned deathly pale. She coughed violently, forcing a fragile, strained smile. What is the Prince of the North implying? Surely, Sweetie simply slipped and fell. When she was a child, she fell into this very pond, and it was I who passed by and saved her. As she spoke, she locked eyes with me, pleading for my complicity. I even contracted a lifelong illness from that day, plagued by the damp cold ever since.

I did feel a pang of guilt over that old memory. Thus, I turned to Xie Chen Liu and said, It is true; I simply slipped. My brother and sister were only here to rescue me, nothing more.

Xie Chen Liu observed me, his expression unreadable for a long moment. Is that truly the case?

Yes. I looked up at him, my heart aching. But I do not wish to remain here any longer. Will you help me find another place to stay?

He could sense that something sinister had occurred that day, though he could never have imagined the depths of their betrayal. Very well, he replied.

When Xie Chen Liu had arrived, he had not been wearing his mask. After we departed, my sister stared blankly into the distance, murmuring, So, he possesses such striking features. She turned toward my brother, her eyes filled with desperation. Brother, can you help me one last time?

In the days that followed, I stayed in the new residence prepared by Xie Chen Liu, waiting in peace for my wedding day. My brother and sister, knowing their own guilt, dared not approach me. It was not until two days before the ceremony that a messenger arrived at the gate, claiming my brother had come to see me. I initially intended to turn him away, but after a moment of hesitation, I agreed to speak with him.

He came straight to the point: It is improper for you to be married from anywhere other than the Cui family estate. I curled my lips in a mocking smile. And what is improper about it? So I can return and be handed over as a concubine to Gu Yan Yu?

My brother rubbed his temples, looking aged beyond his years. From ancient times, what lady of status marries from the home of her future husband? The reputation of the Prince of the North is already shadowed; such an arrangement would only add insult to injury. Furthermore, Mother wished to see you wed with her own eyes; her memorial tablet still resides at the Cui estate. As for what happened previously, it was my doing alone, not that of your sister. I saw that she had been unable to conceive since saving your life in her youth, and I feared she would lose the affection of her husband. I only wanted you to provide her with a few children in compensation.

I was stunned. So that was the truth. My brother lowered his voice: I know you harbor hatred toward us, but your sister was, in the end, once truly kind to you. For the sake of Mother’s dying wish, or even for the sake of the Prince of the North, please return.

My resolve wavered. My brother stood to leave, adding, Think it over carefully. That night, I discussed the matter with Xie Chen Liu. He raised an eyebrow: You feel you must return?

I do.

Then I shall assign several martial maids to accompany you.

Upon returning to the Cui estate, I discovered the truth: the wedding dates for my sister and me had been set for the same day. My brother laughed, saying, Then we shall have two bridal palanquins departing at once—a double celebration. My sister took my hands, her eyes glistening with tears. After we are married, we shall have few opportunities to meet. I will miss you, little sister.

On the day of the wedding, my sister and I applied our makeup in the same room. As we donned our bridal gowns, she asked me softly: Sweetie, could your martial maids step outside for a moment? They make it difficult for me to attend to things here.

I gestured with my hand, and they obediently withdrew to wait in the courtyard.