C12 The Rumors Were Untrue

If he could find such a virtuous wife to assist him, surely the future of the Earl Mansion would be smooth sailing.

November 9, Year 32 of the Great Jing Dynasty.

Noble Heir Yaen, unwavering in his affection, waited tirelessly at the gates of the Cui Mansion. News of his devotion quickly spread throughout the capital.

Cui Zuoyu lived in the south wing, directly facing the main gate. From the third floor, she could see the spectacle outside. Leaning against the doorframe, she watched the forlorn figure with a mocking smirk.

Now he seemed so devoted, but why had he been so cruel to her before? Perhaps she had been blind to Yaen Ting’s true nature. But it was just as well. If he waited in the snow for three days, at best he’d end up with a fever, and at worst, his condition would worsen.

She would not let those two get away with it easily. She intended to repay every humiliation she had suffered, leaving nothing out.

The news of Noble Heir Yaen waiting at the Cui Mansion spread quickly, and soon a crowd gathered to watch.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, now he realizes his mistake, but Miss Cui might not forgive him. In terms of looks and character, Miss Cui is way ahead of Waner, yet Noble Heir Yaen still went after her sister.”

“Well, you might not know this, but it wasn’t Noble Heir Yaen who pursued Cui Waner. It was the Second Miss who seduced her brother-in-law.”

"The Second Miss is really something else."

Cui Zuoyu leaned against the window, resting her chin in her hand, her gaze cold and distant. Yaen Ting's looks were undeniably striking, a rare find, which was why she had been so infatuated. But now, looking at his face only filled her with disgust.

Yaen Ting stood at the door, the whispers around him reaching his ears, making his expression darken even more. He had anticipated this spectacle before arriving, but hearing the words spoken was like being cut by knives.

"Miss, the wind's picking up."

Zi Luo handed her a cloak, pure white down. She turned back and smiled at Zi Luo. Zi Luo followed her gaze, hesitating to speak, but ended up holding her hand tightly. She hoped her mistress wouldn't be swayed. The Second Miss had been so devoted to Yaen Ting before, and now that he was waiting at the door, she feared her mistress might fall for him again.

Zuoyu smiled and whispered in Zi Luo's ear, "The real fun is yet to come."

Just as she finished speaking, snowflakes began to drift down outside, covering the street. The townsfolk quickly scattered.

Zi Luo beamed, "Miss, it's snowing."

She leaned over the windowsill for a better look. Snow settled on Yaen Ting's shoulders, but he remained quietly in place.

Ah, there's plenty of time ahead, so let him stay there for now.

Zi Luo suddenly seemed downcast and murmured, "Whenever it rains or snows, the young master's leg pain becomes unbearable. I wonder how he's doing these days."

"Brother's leg pain?" Cui Zuoyu frowned. She hadn't heard anything about her brother having leg issues before.

Realizing she had misspoken, Zi Luo quickly lowered her head. The young master had insisted that the young lady must not find out about this.

Seeing Zi Luo's reluctance to speak, Cui Zuoyu grew slightly angry, her voice turning colder, even colder than the snow falling outside. "Tell me now."

Knowing the young lady's temperament, Zi Luo sighed and said, "The young master developed this leg condition last December. Despite consulting many renowned doctors, none could help, and the young master refused treatment, saying it would interfere with business."

"With so many skilled doctors out there, how could none be found?"

"The young master's condition is too severe, and the best time for treatment has already passed," Zi Luo replied truthfully.

No, with so many renowned doctors, there must be someone who can treat my brother's leg.

Yes, the Profound Secret Pavilion. They claim to solve any problem; surely, they can help.

Cui Zuoyu arranged for news of Cui Waner's feigned suicide to leak out, infuriating Cui Qiao, who then placed Mrs. Qian under house arrest and assigned guards to watch over the ancestral hall.

Waner found herself locked in the ancestral hall again, seething with frustration. She could hardly stand it, especially after hearing from the maid that Yaen Ting was outside, braving the snow to ask for Cui Zuoyu's forgiveness.

Cui Zuoyu left the backyard alone, heading to the corner where the Profound Secret Pavilion had taken her last time. She waited for a full hour. The snow almost covered her entirely, yet no one from the pavilion came to fetch her.

"Achoo—" she sneezed suddenly, looking around helplessly. The snow had kept most people off the streets. Without the pavilion's guidance, she had no way of finding their residence.

With just one day left of the seven-day agreement, she hoped they would send someone tomorrow for the sake of the White Deer Bank. With this in mind, she leaned against the wall and stood up. Her legs were numb from crouching for so long.

Just as she was about to leave, she heard a child's cry ahead, followed by the screech of a horse being reined in. A little boy in shabby gray clothes stood before a grand carriage, accompanied by ten followers, all in boots and swords. By their attire, they seemed to be from the Grand Tutor's household.

The Grand Tutor's household led the Qilin Guard, the main force protecting the royal city. Whoever was in that carriage must be someone of great wealth to command the Qilin Guard's presence.

"Miss, someone's blocking the way."

A guard spoke respectfully towards the carriage's beaded curtain, which swayed in the breeze, mingling with the cries of a child, tugging painfully at the heart.

"Make him move."

A cold voice came from inside the carriage, as chilling as the first snow of winter, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it.

With the order given, the guard angrily approached and aimed a kick at the child.

"Stop!" cried Cui Zuoyu, rushing forward to scoop the child into her arms.

The guard looked her up and down, his face suddenly flushed. He had thought his own lady was a rare beauty, but this woman before him was truly captivating.

Dressed in white, her pale face contrasted with her slightly parted red lips, her every expression radiating brilliance.

She held the child tightly and stepped aside. The side curtain of the carriage suddenly shifted, revealing half of a delicate face; she could only see the person's eyes.

They were utterly cold, like ripples on a lake struck by willow fluff, with a hint of mocking at the corners of the mouth.

The beaded curtain fell, and the carriage moved on.

From the second floor of a nearby teahouse, a shadowy figure quietly watched her.

The little boy clung to her neck, tears soaking her clothes.

She gently held him, comforting, "Where's your mom?"

The little boy's soft face was red from crying as he clung to her tighter. "Mom's sick."

"Don't worry, I'll help you," she assured him.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, she led him away. Under the falling snow, their figures gradually disappeared.

Upstairs in the teahouse.

"Sir, we've searched every medical center for the herbs you requested, but we couldn't find them."

The shopkeeper's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. The man in black turned around, his strange beast mask looking even more eerie in the sunlight and snow.

"Keep looking," he ordered coldly.

Yet, he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He'd heard that the renowned beauty, Cui Zuoyu, was supposed to be quite the headstrong character. Now, it seemed the rumors were unfounded.