C9 Sorry

After returning from the Profound Secret Pavilion, Zuoyu instructed Zi Luo to keep an eye on the happenings at the Marquis Mansion. The efforts of the Pavilion were worth every penny she spent. In just a few days, news reached her that the second son of the Marquis had racked up massive gambling debts, and the Marquis Madam's trusted aide had absconded with money from their lending business, fleeing the city.

As misfortune began to plague the Marquis Mansion, the atmosphere in the Cui family grew even more tense. It seemed the Marquis Mansion blamed their bad luck on the commotion caused by Cui Waner, and in their frustration, they intensified their efforts to suppress Cui Qiao. Not only was his promotion out of the question, but he also nearly lost his current position.

Under Mrs. Qian's persistent persuasion, Cui Qiao had been about to release Cui Waner from the ancestral hall. However, with the recent turmoil, not only did Cui Waner remain confined, but Cui Qiao also grew impatient with Mrs. Qian, spending his days in the courtyard of a concubine instead.

Zuoyu, exasperated, burned letter after letter and invitation after invitation sent by Yaen Ting, while snacking on sunflower seeds and watching the drama unfold both inside and outside the mansion.

One day, as Zuoyu was cataloging the dowry sent by Shaang Qingya for her upcoming wedding, a sudden message arrived from Mrs. Qian's side. Cui Waner had fainted in the ancestral hall, and they requested Zuoyu to visit her.

Cui Zuoyu pondered for a moment and quickly understood Mrs. Qian's intentions. Now that Cui Waner had broken off her engagement with the Marquis Mansion, her engagement with Yaen Ting still stood. This meant that if Cui Waner wanted to enter the Earl Mansion, just like before, she needed her approval.

Mrs. Qian wanted to mend her relationship with Cui Waner. This was perfect timing. She had turned down Yaen Ting so many times recently that he was surely growing impatient. Next, he would likely force his way into her presence, pulling all sorts of romantic gestures like he did when he first pursued her. Just thinking about it made Cui Zuoyu feel nauseated; she had no desire to go through that again.

With Cui Waner as a shield, she wouldn't have to face Yaen Ting alone. Cui Zuoyu calmly applied a slightly pale makeup in front of the mirror before leisurely setting off.

At the Ruoshui Courtyard, Cui Waner, looking haggard, leaned against the headboard. She clutched Mrs. Qian's hands tightly, as if holding onto her last lifeline. "Mother, you have to help me. I have no other choice but Yaen Ting."

Mrs. Qian's eyes were filled with compassion as she gently stroked the back of Cui Waner's hand.

"Waner, you're my real daughter. Who else would I help if not you? For the sake of the future, just bear with it for a few more days and let that fool trust you again. I originally planned for you to marry over there before giving that medicine to Zuoyu. But now, it seems we need to act sooner."

"Mom, how much longer do I have to endure this?" Waner asked bitterly, clenching her teeth. "When will the medicine be ready?"

"Soon, very soon. Don't worry, Waner, it won't be long now," Mrs. Qian replied, her eyes glinting coldly. "She can only enjoy her moment of triumph for now."

The two of them spent a long time discussing how to deal with Zuoyu. After finalizing all the details, they waited for quite a while, but Zuoyu still hadn't arrived.

Just as their anger was about to boil over and their carefully prepared emotions began to dissipate, a maid announced from outside the door, "Madam, the eldest daughter has arrived."

...

As Zuoyu stepped into the room, she saw Mrs. Qian sitting by the bed, quietly wiping away tears with a handkerchief, her expression sorrowful. Noticing someone had entered, Mrs. Qian quickly dabbed her face with the handkerchief, shifted to make space, and forced a smile. "Zuoyu, you're here. Waner was calling your name before she fainted. Come and see her."

Zuoyu looked down at Waner, noticing her closed eyes, cracked lips, and the bruised mark on her neck. She truly looked unwell. With a cold and disdainful glance, she turned to Mrs. Qian and gave a slight bow.

"I've seen enough, Mother. Please excuse me."

With that, she turned and headed for the door. Despite being somewhat prepared, Mrs. Qian was still taken aback by Zuoyu's actions, feeling a surge of anger. She silently cursed her as ungrateful but managed to force a pained smile.

"Zuoyu, you and Waner grew up together. After all these years as sisters, do you really want to sever ties like this?"

Zuoyu paused at the doorway, counted silently to calm herself, then turned back with a fierce tone.

"It's not me who wants to sever ties; it's her who doesn't want to be my sister anymore. Brother Ting said Waner tried to seduce him, and I didn't believe it. But even Waner herself admitted it. What else can I do?"

Zuoyu's chest heaved with emotion, her eyes reddening. "She even wants to take my fiancé, Mother. How can you expect me to still see her as my sister?"

"Do you know how Waner ended up unconscious in the chapel?" Mrs. Qian's face was filled with anguish, her eyes brimming with tears.

Cui Zuoyu calmed herself, "What does that have to do with me?"

"Even if you don't want to hear it, I'm going to tell you," Mrs. Qian said through gritted teeth. "Waner passed out because she tried to hang herself in the chapel. Luckily, the person delivering food found her in time and saved her. Do you know what her last words were before she fell unconscious? 'Sister, I'm sorry!'"

Cui Zuoyu was stunned. She looked at the bruises on Waner's neck, speechless for a long time, before finally reaching out to touch them.

"In her dreams, she's crying and apologizing to you," Mrs. Qian said, bending down to wipe Waner's forehead, blocking Cui Zuoyu's hand.

Cui Zuoyu withdrew her hand, a hint of cold mockery flashing in her eyes. She had used more cosmetics than Mrs. Qian had eaten salt. She might not know exactly what marks a real hanging would leave, but she knew the state of makeup on skin better than anyone.

"Sis... Sister, I'm sorry, I... I'm sorry..." Waner seemed trapped in a nightmare, her voice trembling as she waved her hands frantically.

"Waner, Waner, wake up! Zuoyu is right here, please wake up!" Mrs. Qian held both of Cui Waner's hands, her voice filled with urgency.

Cui Waner's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.

The first person she saw was Cui Zuoyu.

Tears welled up and spilled over, a look of surprise flashed across her face, quickly replaced by deep sorrow.

Her voice was soft and trembling, "Sister, I'm so sorry."

Cui Zuoyu looked at her intently, taking a long moment before speaking, "It's all in the past."

Cui Waner's heart leaped with joy, but then she heard Cui Zuoyu continue, "Father is a respected official, and even though you've lost the child, I'll make sure you have a good dowry. Even if you marry an ordinary man, you can still live a good life. Yaen Ting and I will look after you."

Cui Waner dug her nails into her palms, managing a tearful smile with great difficulty.

"I know my sins are heavy. How could someone like me, so unworthy, ever hope to marry? I knelt in the ancestral hall for a long time, finally understanding the unforgivable mistake I made, which led me to consider ending my life. But I survived, and I think it's a sign from above that I must live on to atone for my sins."

"Sis, I've decided to become a nun. I owe you so much, and I want to spend my life in a monastery, praying day and night for your well-being to repay my debt."

"Waner, you mustn't!" Mrs. Qian exclaimed, suddenly realizing Waner's intentions, her worry evident. "You're so young. Don't make a rash decision that could ruin your future."

"Mother, there's no need to say more. This is my debt to my sister, and I must repay it!" Waner declared, her resolve unwavering.

"Are you trying to break my heart?" Mrs. Qian cried, clutching Waner tightly. "Once you enter the monastery, all ties to the past are severed. Are you really going to leave your mother behind?"

She turned her hopeful gaze to Zuoyu. "Zuoyu, please, help me persuade Waner. I'm begging you! She only listens to you now. Please, ask her to stay."