Yun Xueyao bit her lip, uneasily glancing at Pei Ziyan. “Your Highness, I…”
The jewelry and hair ornaments she had charged to Zhenbao Pavilion were extravagantly priced—yet they weren’t even for her own use. They were meant to curry favor with the Empress Dowager and the Empress. For herself, she had only made a few sets of clothes, kept one necklace with a pair of jade bangles, plus a flowered hairpin set and two pairs of earrings.
She was about to become Crown Princess. Without at least one or two sets of ornaments worthy of display, the noble daughters of the great families would laugh at her. They had clearly agreed she could defer payment for two months—so why had the collectors suddenly come knocking today?
“Debt collectors at the door—looks like General Yun doesn’t have time to stand up for his sister now.” Mingyue arched her brow, smiling with undisguised schadenfreude. “The stewards of both Zhenbao Pavilion and Mobao Pavilion arriving together to demand payment—this must be a first for the General’s household. I wonder if the stipends of the Grand General and the General are generous enough to cover the debts Miss Yun has run up outside?”
Then she suddenly exclaimed, feigning alarm: “Surely they won’t dip into the army’s pay, will they?”
Yun Xiaoran’s heart sank; he ground his teeth and roared, “You wretched girl, stop spouting nonsense!”
“It would be best not to touch the army’s pay,” Mingyue sneered. “If the censors discover that the Grand General has embezzled military stipends and impeach you before His Majesty, you’ll find it hard to explain yourself.”
Already uneasy, Yun Xueyao flared up at those words. “You vile maid, stop slandering the Yun family’s name!”
“Enough.” Yun Xiaoran had no time to linger. His voice was cold. “We’ll return and see to this first.” With that, he cupped his hands to Pei Ziyan in a curt salute and strode out.
Yun Xueyao bit her lip, dared not say another word, and hurried after him.
The Yun family guards, who had been ready to drag Mingyue out for execution, naturally abandoned the idea and followed their masters away.
The hall fell briefly silent.
Mingyue turned to Pei Ziyan and shrugged. “Does Your Highness still intend to have me beaten to death?”
Pei Ziyan’s face was like ice, his gaze heavy and cold as it fell upon her.
Xiao Qingxue lifted her eyes to him. “Pei Ziyan, I hope you understand one thing.”
He pressed his lips together, watching her in silence.
“Mingyue is my maid. She never sold herself into your Crown Prince’s household. Not to mention execution—you don’t even have the right to lay a finger on her.” With those words, Xiao Qingxue clearly had no wish to waste more breath and turned to leave.
Mingyue gave a little snort. “Miss Yun is truly impressive—getting debt collectors at her door. His Majesty has indeed chosen a most ‘virtuous and reasonable’ Crown Princess for Your Highness.”
“Qingxue.” Pei Ziyan suddenly spoke, his voice so low it betrayed no emotion. “We’ve been married two years, and I never knew Mingyue had such skill.”
Xiao Qingxue’s steps faltered; she smiled faintly. “There are plenty of things you don’t know.”
He stared at her retreating figure. “You’ve always kept things from me.”
“If I didn’t, how would I know you’re a man who breaks faith?” Her tone was calm, gentle even, but she was never one to swallow her anger. “Just as you knew half a month ago you were to wed the Crown Princess, yet never breathed a word to me.”
Leaving that behind, she departed with Mingyue.
Pei Ziyan collapsed into a chair, a sudden unease rising in his chest. He had always known Xiao Qingxue’s medical skill was extraordinary. But what he knew best was her unmatched talent for curing poisons. He had always thought she was simply a physician. With her unrestrained way of living, she clearly wasn’t from a family of doctors—she carried none of the rigid rules or principles of the great houses. She was more like a hermit, free and unfettered, dwelling deep in the mountains.
A woman wholly devoted to the study of medicine and poisons, she naturally needed a maid to assist her. Mingyue’s presence had always seemed reasonable.
Xiao Qingxue’s medical skill was astonishing. She might treat the poor without charge, but she could also heal the wealthy, so she was never short of money. Her life could be lived in comfort. A woman with wealth and talent—her bearing was naturally extraordinary.
But seeing Mingyue’s skill today, and recalling her boldness, Pei Ziyan’s heart gave an involuntary jolt. He could not help but ponder Xiao Qingxue’s origins.
Even if a maid possessed martial skill, she should know better than to offend the royal clan. The lives of all under heaven rested in imperial hands. Did she truly think that a little medicine and a little martial ability made her fearless? No—her confidence must come from elsewhere.
Qingxue, who are you really? Why must you insist on divorce? If I refuse, what else will you do?
Zhenbao Pavilion suddenly pressing the Yun family for payment—was that your doing? If not, why such a coincidence?
Pei Ziyan closed his eyes, his mind heavy with questions. Yet no one could give him answers.
…
When Yun Xiaoran returned to the Yun residence, he found a crowd of more than a dozen men gathered outside the gates.
“Miss Yun owes Zhenbao Pavilion for jewelry, bracelets, and a necklace—totaling twenty-three thousand taels of silver.”
“Miss Yun ordered clothing from my shop—totaling three thousand four hundred and twenty taels.”
“Miss Yun ordered an inkstone from Mobao Pavilion—one thousand eight hundred taels.”
Hearing those terrifying numbers, Yun Xiaoran’s face gradually turned pale. He turned to Yun Xueyao. “What did you order that cost so much?”
Just the twenty-three thousand taels owed to Zhenbao Pavilion equaled an entire year’s stipend for the Grand General’s household—his and his father’s salaries combined. And Yun Xueyao had spent it all in one go!
“I…” Yun Xueyao’s face blanched, and she instinctively avoided her brother’s gaze. “I gave the Empress a set of ornaments, and for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, I… I presented a white jade screen. I bought myself a pair of jade bangles… Brother, gifts for the Empress and Empress Dowager must be costly. I… I had no choice.”
“That’s twenty-three thousand taels!” Yun Xiaoran ground his teeth.
Yun Xueyao bit her lip, speaking nervously. “There’s also an inkstone… I meant it as a gift for His Highness the Crown Prince. I haven’t given it yet—it’s in your study. And… and some jewelry for myself…”
She was the future Crown Princess. In daily dealings with noble daughters of great families, appearing too shabby would invite ridicule. Those highborn girls already looked down on her; if her attire fell short, they would mock her even more behind her back.
Yun Xiaoran’s face darkened, as though covered in frost.
Zhenbao Pavilion’s accountant spoke up: “General, Miss Yun has charged far too much. We truly cannot allow this to continue. Please, General, settle these accounts.”
Yun Xiaoran looked at the stewards and accountants before him. Fearing the matter would escalate, he ordered them to be shown into the front hall and served tea. “Please wait a moment. I will speak with my mother, then return to settle the accounts.”
The stewards nodded. “We ask the General to hurry back.”
Yun Xiaoran went to the inner courtyard to consult his mother. “Mother, how much silver do you still have at hand? Bring out some to pay off Xueyao’s debts.”
Madam Yun’s face changed. “You… you don’t have money yourself?”
“Mother.” Yun Xiaoran frowned. “The frontier war is urgent, stipends are short, and the Ministry of Revenue cries daily that the treasury is empty. If I suddenly produce a large sum to pay Xueyao’s debts, how will the Ministry view me? How will His Majesty view me? Do you want the Yun family accused of embezzling military pay?”
Madam Yun’s face paled. “But I…”
“Sell off Xueyao’s jewelry.” Yun Xiaoran turned to his sister, his tone cold and brooking no argument. “You’ve been betrothed to the Crown Prince. At this critical moment, not a single mistake can be made. If the censors impeach and His Majesty grows angry, your marriage could be lost at any time!”