With no one else around, and the rain pouring down, it seemed as though she were the only person left between heaven and earth.
Su Jinyuan climbed back into the carriage. It took her a long while before she finally remembered to look at what Xie Yunyan had stuffed into her hands.
It was a small oil-paper packet. Inside, she found a Dragon-and-Phoenix Pendant and a letter.
Su Jinyuan opened the letter. The handwriting was elegant and vigorous, yet carried a gentle warmth, as though Xiao Yunxi were standing before her, speaking to her in an unhurried manner. He first asked after her well-being, then went on to discuss their marriage.
He wrote:
“Our ages differ by quite a bit, and before this, we had only met a few times. You were still just a young girl, so it is only natural that you would prefer a man who is gentle and refined.”
“I went to war when I was young and am steeped in the aura of slaughter. I should have asked first whether you wanted this marriage. If I had known sooner that you had someone in your heart, I would never have allowed the household to set a wedding date and put you in a difficult position.”
He continued:
“When Ayan finds you, if you truly have someone you favor, give this Engagement-Annulment Letter to him.”
“I will tell the household to have Mother go to the Su Family and annul the engagement. Your Father is, after all, a benefactor of the Xiao Family. I would never use this marriage to make things difficult for you. I will tell everyone that the fault lies with me, so your reputation will not be harmed.”
The handwriting in the letter was firm, but his words were exceptionally gentle.
Though there were only a few brief lines, it was as if that graceful, unblemished young man stood before her, showing her nothing but tolerance and indulgence.
From beginning to end, Xiao Yunxi never once questioned why she had fled from the wedding. Nor did he blame her for leaving on the day of their wedding and making him lose face.
After gently reassuring her, he simply added these instructions at the end of the letter:
“If you have someone in your heart, bring him to meet me when I return victorious. After I have assessed him for you, I will send you off to be married in the name of an elder brother.”
“Do not put your faith in the person who eloped with you. A man who gives no consideration to your reputation is not worthy of entrusting your life to.”
“Also, Ayan’s temper is a little quick. Don’t be afraid of him. If he bullies you, I’ll teach him a lesson when I return.”
Su Jinyuan could not help tightening her grip on the letter, her eyes reddening.
Return…
How could he still return?
Beneath the letter lay the Dragon-and-Phoenix Pendant that the two families had exchanged as their betrothal token. She and Xiao Yunxi each had one, and the Engagement-Annulment Letter was also written in Xiao Yunxi’s hand.
With these things, she was no longer a member of the Xiao Family and would have nothing to do with them ever again.
Su Jinyuan considered herself someone who clung to life and feared death. Having obtained these things, she should have been delighted. She should have felt fortunate.
After finally getting a second chance at life, she could simply stay away from the Capital and never have any further dealings with the Xiao Family or any of those people from the past.
Yet the Engagement-Annulment Letter in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand jun.
She thought of how Old Madam Xiao had treated her with such kindness. She thought of that gentle and refined young man, and of Xie Yunyan, whose mouth was vicious but who had still given her clothes to shield her from the wind and rain.
Clenching her teeth, she wrapped everything back up and stuffed it into her sleeve.
“Giddy-up!”
Su Jinyuan seized the reins.
Back to the Capital!
……
The Capital was bleak and desolate beneath the storm. The area in front of the Xiao Family residence was so cold and quiet that not even a trace of its former bustle remained.
General Xiao had been defeated, and several members of the Xiao Family had died in battle at Linchuan.
The imperial decree had ordered the Xiao Family’s male members seized and imprisoned. Now, only the women of the Xiao Family remained in the residence. Though the imperial verdict had not yet been delivered, anyone could see that the Xiao Family was probably finished.
“Mother, thank goodness I didn’t manage to steal Su Jinyuan’s marriage. If I had truly married into the Xiao Family, we would have been finished,” Su Xinyue said, still shaken.
Madam Su, Yu Shi, nodded, her heart filled with lingering fear. “Exactly. Before this, I thought that little wretch had clearly been charmed by Lu Zhuo, yet still clung to her marriage to the Xiao Family, refusing to let go. She kept saying that she had a marriage contract and couldn’t violate it. What a pretentious little thing.”
“Now that I think about it, it’s fortunate she was so stubborn and didn’t give the marriage to you. Otherwise, we would be the ones suffering now.”
Su Xinyue pouted unhappily. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have tricked her into eloping with Lu Zhuo. I should have made her stay in the Xiao Family. It would have been perfect if she’d died there.”
“And there’s Xiao Yunxi. He was handsome and impressive, but who would have thought he’d be so short-lived…”
She had actually liked him quite a lot.
Yu Shi poked her in the forehead and scolded, “What do you know? It’s better that Su Jinyuan ran away. If she had really married into the Xiao Family, we would be related by marriage to them. If the Xiao Family suffers, how well do you think we’ll fare?”
“And you are not allowed to keep thinking about Xiao Yunxi. What kind of match could a short-lived wretch like that be for you? Later, your mother will find you someone better.”
Su Xinyue immediately brightened. “Mother, I knew you were the best. Do you think Su Jinyuan is having a miserable time right now?”
“Of course she is. Lu Zhuo is no good at all. He has a silver tongue and a handsome face, but underneath, he’s a lecherous wastrel rotten to the core. He’s just right for that little—”
As Yu Shi spoke, a stone suddenly flew toward her mouth and struck her with such force that blood immediately appeared on her lips.
Before Yu Shi could cry out from the pain, a figure rushed in through the door.
Su Jinyuan grabbed Su Xinyue by the hair and yanked her to the side. After kicking her to the ground, she slapped Yu Shi across the face and sneered, “Who did you call a little wretch?”
“Su Jinyuan, you…”
Yu Shi’s eyes widened in terror.
How could this be…
Lu Zhuo had clearly taken her out of the Capital. He had even taken her money and promised that he would never let this little bitch come back. How could she possibly be here?
Su Jinyuan struck her across the face again, blood smearing her hand. “Who did you call short-lived? Who did you say was a match for that rotten bastard? You want to be a short-lived wretch, do you? I’ll grant your wish!”
She seized Yu Shi by the hair at the back of her head and dragged her to the wall. After avoiding a vital spot, she slammed Yu Shi’s head against it with a bang, leaving her dizzy and seeing stars.
Su Xinyue screamed:
“Mother!”
She lunged forward, trying to hit Su Jinyuan, but Su Jinyuan kicked her away.
In her previous life, Su Jinyuan had spent several years surviving at the bottom of society. When she fought, she was ruthless and fierce, and she knew exactly where it hurt.
She grabbed Su Xinyue by the hair and yanked her head back, then stamped on her ankle. As Su Xinyue cried out in pain, Su Jinyuan flung her to the ground and kicked her in the stomach, leaving her doubled over and unable to straighten up.
“Su Jinyuan, what are you doing?!”
Su Wanquan had sensed that something was wrong the moment the servants told him that Su Jinyuan had stormed into the residence. When he hurried over, he saw her smashing his wife against the wall and beating Su Xinyue.
He shouted furiously, “What are you standing around for? Pull her away!”
“I’d like to see who dares come over!”
After kicking Su Xinyue in the face, Su Jinyuan tore the hairpin from Yu Shi’s head and pressed its sharp point directly against her neck. The skin split at once.
Yu Shi screamed in pain. As Su Jinyuan gripped her and pulled her backward, all she could feel was the hairpin, as if it were about to pierce her throat.
“Master… Master, save me…”
“Su Jinyuan, what exactly do you want?”
Su Wanquan’s face had gone pale as he glared angrily at her. “She is your Aunt, your elder! All these years, you’ve lived in this residence, and neither your Aunt nor I have ever mistreated you. Do you intend to take her life…?”