Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Passing Away Dai Xin was very thin. He leaned against the doorframe, his body shifting forward slightly, but he didn't move. Because he only had one leg left. Cui Zeyu said he would go to the door and "let you two talk." The door was closed. Wu Hui looked back and heard a hoarse "Hui'er." Her heartstrings were violently plucked, and she could no longer control herself, covering her face and weeping bitterly. For as long as she could remember, Wu Hui knew she was to marry Dai Xin. They had grown up together, sharing too many memories. "Hui'er, the wind is strong outside. Come... come in." Dai Xin only glanced at Wu Hui once, then dared not look again. After both sat down, the room fell into silence. After a long while, Wu Hui suddenly asked, "Did it hurt?" Dai Xin was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile. "It hurt at the time. Hurt so much I wanted to die." But he thought he couldn't die—if he died, what would happen to his fiancée? Through those difficult days and nights, Dai Xin held onto that belief and survived until now. "Seeing that you're doing well, I can rest easy." Dai Xin said. "That man from the Lu family is quite decent. When he came to find me, I thought he was going to say harsh words, but instead, he asked me to come see you. I have no regrets now." "No... that's not how it is." Wu Hui looked at Dai Xin. She thought of herself, of what her mother had said, and of what Cui Zeyu had told her. In the end, Wu Hui felt that she was still the more selfish one. Meanwhile, outside the room, Cui Zeyu sat on a stone block, quietly gazing at the full moon tonight. The moon waxes and wanes, but tonight was a fine full moon. He smiled slightly and instructed his attendant, "Wait here for the Second Madam. When she comes out, escort her back." "Where are you going, my lord?" "Me? I'm going drinking!" Cui Zeyu walked out of the alley. He had intended to find Xie Yunting for a drink, but remembering Xie Yunting wasn't in Bianjing, he went to the tavern alone. The wine went down his throat today, but it was utterly tasteless. It wasn't until dawn that Cui Zeyu returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. When Cui Lingrong learned her brother had come back drunk, she went to check on him. "How did you get so drunk?" She had just sat down when her brother suddenly grabbed her wrist. A very, very soft "Sister"—not the usual crisp tone, but carrying a lingering reluctance and tenderness. Cui Lingrong thought her brother was upset about Young General Dai. Looking at the person on the bed, she felt some sympathy. "If you like someone, you have to fight for it. If you lose, accept your fate. But if you do nothing, you'll regret it for the rest of your life." Cui Zeyu hadn't sobered up yet and thought he was dreaming. He curled up, pressing his face against his sister's hand. "Then does Sister like me?" "Look at you, how drunk are you? Of course I like you. I raised you—how could I not like you?" Cui Lingrong sighed, thinking her brother was thoroughly drunk. She had Nanny Qiu wring out a wet cloth and continued to look after him. When Wu Hui arrived outside the room and learned Cui Lingrong was inside taking care of him, she didn't go in. She instructed the kitchen to prepare some hangover food and then returned. Cui Lingrong stayed and watched over him for most of the day. By the time the sun set in the west, Cui Zeyu finally woke up. Cui Lingrong was resting her head on her hand, dozing on the soft couch across from the bed. "Sister?" "Hmm? You're awake. Would you like some water?" "Yes." Cui Lingrong called for Nanny Qiu, who brought over a teacup. Nanny Qiu said, "This is the first time the young master has gotten this drunk. You probably don't remember what the mistress said this morning. You need to be braver. Your wife is a truly wonderful person—even a blind man choosing would know you're the better one." Hearing this, Cui Zeyu only felt more bitterness on his tongue. They all misunderstood. As for being brave? Cui Zeyu looked toward his sister. "Sister, did you watch over me all day?" "I was planning to leave once Wu Hui came, but she only sent food. If the two of you want to continue, you should talk things out openly. If... if you can't go on, then let it be." Cui Lingrong sighed. Who could have predicted that Dai Xin would come back alive? The words Cui Zeyu wanted to say wouldn't come out. It wasn't until after his sister left that he sat by the window, watching the moon rise. But before he could clear his thoughts, Xie Yunting suddenly arrived—climbing in through the window, no less. "You—you you!" "It's me, what's there to be surprised about?" Xie Yunting yawned. "The Emperor sent me back. I heard about Young General Dai's matter and came to check on you. Well, am I a loyal brother or what?" In truth, Xie Yunting hadn't seen Cui Lingrong in a long time and had wanted to sleep with her, but had been chased out. Cui Lingrong said this was the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and she absolutely would not let him stay. With no other option, Xie Yunting figured since he was here anyway, he might as well come chat with Cui Zeyu. "What's this? I heard you got drunk too. If you really like her, then use some tactics. She's already married to you—how can you not manage it?" Xie Yunting said as he sent someone to order food and wine. "You wouldn't understand." "How could I not understand?" Xie Yunting said he understood perfectly well. "Just look at me—actually, never mind, look at yourself. Anyway, we're sworn brothers. All you need is one word, and I can make that surnamed Dai fellow disappear from Bianjing this instant." "Xie Yunting, I'm not... forget it, I can't explain it to you." Cui Zeyu didn't want to discuss this and changed the subject. "The Emperor sent you back—is there something going on?" Xie Yunting said there were indeed some matters, "But you shouldn't get involved in this. I'll go offend people on my own." Since Xie Yunting wouldn't say, Cui Zeyu didn't press further. When the wine and food arrived, Xie Yunting dragged Cui Zeyu into another round of drinking. That night, Xie Yunting stayed over at Cui Zeyu's place. At dawn the next day, Xie Yunting went out. Cui Zeyu also had matters to attend to. After giving his instructions, he headed to the yamen. Meanwhile, Cui Lingrong received word delivered from the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion—Old Madame Song had passed away. Upon hearing this news, Cui Lingrong was not surprised. Old Madame Song had been ill for some time with no sign of recovery. She packed Jin-ge's belongings and sent someone to take him to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. Cui Lingrong herself also returned to the Cui residence. At the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, Song Shulan had cried until no tears remained. With Old Madame's passing, Song Shulan would have to observe mourning, and no amount of scheming would do him any good. By the time two years passed, who knew whether he'd even have a place at court. With Old Madame Song's death, the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion was to be divided among the family. Song Shulan, as the eldest son, received the largest share of the estate. The second branch didn't get as much as Song Shulan, but it was enough to live on. The third branch got the least—just a residence and some farmland. But if Madam Li and her husband planned carefully, they could get by. Once the division of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion was complete, with two branches suddenly gone, the mansion became considerably quieter. With time on his hands and nothing to do, Song Shulan sent a formal invitation to Cui Lingrong under the pretext of Xuan-ge's birthday, asking her to come celebrate.