Chapter 73 A small red mark dotted the dazzling white...

The Cui family's tradition of holding lotus appreciation banquets has continued for many years. Although new things are introduced every year, it still revolves around appreciating flowers and having conversations.

I thought last year's boat trip on the lake was already quite unique, but this year's trip was truly worthwhile.

The ladies and young women in the Buddhist hall held their breath, not daring to blink, for fear of missing the excitement.

They remained outwardly composed, but many of them secretly despised the Cui family's actions, though they refrained from saying so out of politeness.

The oppressive scheming within the deep confines of aristocratic families was something that everyone present had experienced to some extent. Now, with Madam Cui's carefully cultivated facade of gentleness being torn off in public, many people felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

Madam Cui's subtle yet cunning tactics, her ability to manipulate people at every turn, are the most infuriating.

Most of the women present were the wives of the household, so who would be happy to see their husbands favoring their wives and letting their concubines ride on their heads?

Meng Lingyao's words were truly satisfying.

However, beneath this exhilaration lay a sense of astonishment and suspicion. How dare a young lady, confined to her chambers, so bluntly expose the shortcomings of her elders? Wasn't she being too sharp-tongued, losing the gentle grace and consideration expected of a young woman? Several gazes swept over Meng Lingyao, secretly frowning and shaking their heads.

If it were their daughter or daughter-in-law, they would definitely discipline them properly. It is only because of the Meng family that they are so spoiled.

Before this worry could fully settle, it was completely overwhelmed by a deeper shock.

Pei Xu actually intervened!

Everyone in the capital knows that Pei Shaoqing is known for his cold-heartedness and aloofness. Countless noble ladies are infatuated with him, but he doesn't even spare them a glance.

Although the whole city is buzzing with rumors about his deep affection for Miss Meng and how they broke with tradition, rumors are just rumors. In the rise and fall of aristocratic families, how many romantic tales have been distorted beyond recognition? How many people actually believe them?

Only now did he step forward and take the initiative to exonerate them.

His words were naturally grand and dignified, but anyone with ears could hear his intention to protect others.

The rumors were indeed true!

Meng Lingyao looked up at Pei Xu.

He stood tall and elegant, with a refined and graceful appearance. He simply gazed at her quietly, his eyes filled with a rare gentleness. The ladies and young women around them gasped in astonishment, as if they had witnessed something extraordinary.

Meng Lingyao pursed her lips. If she had known this would happen, she would have taken a closer look at the law when she was reviewing it and carefully noted down how the law explicitly stated the clause on "divorce." Otherwise, she wouldn't have let him make such a big fuss today.

Pei Xu, on the other side, seemed to know what she was thinking, silently lowering his eyes and restraining his imposing manner.

The faces of the three elders of the Cui clan turned from ashen to deathly pale, and finally settled into an ugly purplish-brown.

Even though he was filled with boundless anger and resentment, he couldn't utter a single word in his defense. Not to mention the power of the Pei family, just the fact that Pei Xu was citing the lofty laws and regulations was enough to silence him.

He swallowed twice, forced a smile, and cupped his hands in the direction of Pei Xu, "Young Master Pei's words... are truly enlightening, it is my ignorance that has led me astray." Then he turned his gaze to Meng Lingyao, "I spoke rashly just now, please forgive me, young lady."

His eyes swept quickly over his wife, Madam Lu, with an urging tone.

Madam Lu was engrossed in watching the play when her husband suddenly pushed her to clean up the mess. A barely perceptible twitch appeared at the corner of her mouth, her displeasure evident. Still forcing a smile, she quickly stepped forward and grabbed Madam Feng's sleeve.

"Sister Feng, please calm down. It's all because our family is not strict enough in managing the household that we have produced such an unruly brat, causing Fifth Madam to suffer such a great injustice! You see, the injury on your face is more important. Why don't you go to the side hall to rest for a while and ask the doctor to treat your injury?"

With Madam Lu stepping forward, the other ladies who were on good terms with her also offered words of advice such as "take care of yourself" and "don't worry." The tense atmosphere was forcibly eased, and a layer of insincere harmony emerged.

Meng Lingyao's gaze bypassed the words of comfort and landed firmly on Madam Cui. Madam Cui seemed to sense this gaze and met her eyes. The despair and struggle seemed to be dispelled for a moment by this gaze, and a desperate, all-or-nothing strength surged into her limbs once more.

She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, her tired eyes were filled with determination.

“I appreciate your kind intentions.” Her voice was not loud, but it clearly drowned out the surrounding conversation. “However, this divorce is not an impulsive decision, but a decision I have carefully considered.”

“I have been married into the Cui family for five years… I have paid my respects to my elders morning and evening, and respected my husband. I do not believe that I have brought shame to the Zhuo family. However, as you all have seen, my husband favors his concubines. I am criticized for being petty when I report on the household affairs. Even when my relatives visit, I have to be careful about their mood and the timing… All this has made me heartbroken and I have no more attachment.”

"..."

The Buddhist hall fell into an even deeper silence, with the Cui family members all remaining silent. No one was willing to agree, and no one could refute it.

"Cough cough cough..." A series of suppressed, violent coughs, accompanied by unsteady footsteps, came from outside the door.

A thin figure, carefully supported by two servants, slowly appeared at the door.

The newcomer's face was as pale as fresh snow, almost devoid of any color. His lips were an ominous deep purple, and his sickly appearance was striking. Time and illness had etched deep marks on his face, with only a trace of his former glory remaining between his brows.

Madam Cui suddenly looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, what brings you here?"

Cui Ting glanced at her indifferently, without responding.

He was weak and his gaze was heavy. He first nodded slightly to Pei Xu, and then slowly walked into the messy room, his eyes falling on Madam Cui.

After a deep sigh, he spoke, "Over the years, it is the Cui family that has wronged you. That's enough, go home now. The letter of divorce... I will have Wu Lang personally deliver it to the Zhuo residence shortly."

He then turned to the solemn-faced Madam Feng, and reluctantly raised his hand to bow, "...I have failed in raising my son, and have caused the Zhuo family's daughter to suffer such a great humiliation. It is truly a misfortune for my family, and I am ashamed to face Madam Feng...cough cough cough..." His speech slowed down, followed by another bout of muffled coughing.

Seeing that he was frail and sickly yet still apologized politely, Madam Feng's anger subsided somewhat. She said in a deep voice, "Please take care of yourself, Patriarch Cui. My niece's grievances will be handled by the Zhuo family. I hope that Patriarch Cui will restrain his clansmen in the future and prevent them from repeating the same mistake."

Cui Ting nodded slowly.

Cui Wulang rushed forward, wanting to speak, "Father..." but he was frozen in place by Cui Ting's sudden gaze. His face turned ashen, and he lowered his head in silence.

After catching his breath, Cui Ting's gaze slowly swept across the entire room, finally landing on Meng Lingyao, whose expression remained calm. A faint hint of appreciation and complexity flickered in her cloudy, weary eyes.

“The girl from the Meng family…” he began with difficulty, his voice soft, “Such courage, such eloquence…” His tone was neither praise nor criticism, but rather a pure statement, carrying an indifference born of worldly wisdom.

Meng Lingyao's heart stirred slightly. This was the first time she had seen the true master of the Cui family, who was rumored to have been living a secluded life due to illness and had allowed his younger sister to take over for many years. She never expected him to be in such a state of exhaustion.

She curtsied slightly, saying, "Master Cui is too kind. I was merely... speaking out of righteousness."

Cui Ting seemed to twitch her stiff lips, trying to force a smile, but it only deepened her sickly expression.

His gaze swept over the guests in the room. His few words seemed to have exhausted all his strength. He said with difficulty, "Today, the Cui family... has not been very hospitable. Please forgive us."

Faced with his appearance, who could say anything harsh? The sound of "It's alright" echoed throughout the Buddhist hall.

Cui Ting stopped speaking, allowing the servant to carefully help him, and turned to move out step by step. Under everyone's gaze, his slender figure, like a flickering candle in the wind, gradually disappeared into the light and shadow outside the door.

His departure was like a silent decree, and the remaining members of the Cui family breathed a sigh of relief, their stiff expressions easing. They immediately greeted the guests, inviting them to move to the flower hall or the back garden.

The flow of people began to move outwards.

Meng Lingyao glanced at Madam Cui one last time. Madam Cui was also looking back at her, her eyes shining like stars on her swollen face. Meng Lingyao's lips curved almost imperceptibly, then she turned and calmly left with the crowd.

She stepped half a step behind him, and Pei Xu had already taken a step as well.

He walked leisurely beside her, as if taking a stroll in a garden. The wind outside the door stirred the hem of his sky-blue robe, carrying with it the clear, fresh scent of grass and trees emanating from him.

The two walked together for a while, oblivious to everyone else. As the noise around them gradually subsided, Meng Lingyao was about to speak, scolding him for jumping out and stealing her thunder when she was in such a commanding position. Suddenly, Pei Xu said, "Yaoyao."

"Um?"

He said quietly, "Just now in the front courtyard, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, Lord Liu, said that the fragrance on my body was the most popular fragrance from Juxianglou recently, Xianglu Yaotai Qin, which has a miraculous effect in repelling mosquitoes."

He also mentioned that his wife had received a bottle, but she wouldn't even let him use it, saying that he was too tough and wouldn't need such a good thing. He looked at Pei Xu with obvious envy.

Some mosquito repellent measures were taken in the waterside pavilion, but no matter how much they were driven away, there were always some that slipped through the net near the water.

Meng Lingyao blinked, a vague sense of foreboding creeping over her.

As he spoke, Pei Xu naturally raised his hand, his slender fingers lifting a section of his sleeve.

A small, clear red, swollen mark was revealed, clearly a mosquito bite, glaringly obvious on that dazzlingly white forearm.

Meng Lingyao's heart skipped a beat, and the words she was about to say caught in her throat, leaving only a silent, spreading sense of guilt. Her face flushed slightly, her ears turning red first, and she forced herself to remain calm, saying, "I made it clear to you in person that these few bottles are a little undercooked..."

Before he could finish explaining, a glance at the person beside him silently shattered his forced composure.

Pei Xu stopped in his tracks. He stood there, slightly turned to face her, his eyelids lowered, his thick, long eyelashes casting two small, shallow shadows on his face. He exuded an inexplicable loneliness steeped in grievance.

“I see…” he murmured, “So, what Her Highness the Princess accepted that day…”

He paused deliberately, his eyelashes fluttering up and then drooping back down. "Is that the only bottle of top-quality tea in your box that has been properly brewed?"

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Author's note: Who dares to drink this green tea? [doge emoji]