“Why castrate pigs? What’s the point of cutting off their parts?” Lin Gui asked with a drunken hiccup.
Xi Hongrui snorted coldly: “Just say whether you’ll do it or not. If not, I’ll find someone else. Castrating one pig pays seven coppers—plenty of people are scrambling for the job. I’m only giving you this deal because you’re practically family, you old dog. And here you are wasting my time with nonsense?”
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it! Oh, young mistress, why are you still so fiery-tempered even after leaving home? Did you catch the eye of some master…”
Slap! Xi Hongrui struck him across the face.
Lin Gui: Huh?
He immediately flared up, ready to teach this wretched girl a lesson, but as he stared at Xi Hongrui’s fierce brows, glaring eyes, and coldly beautiful yet fierce face, he hesitated for a long moment and didn’t dare utter a word. Covering his cheek, he muttered under his breath.
Xi Hongrui snorted and looked at him with a cold laugh: “You bastard, don’t think that just because I’ve left this house, it’s your kingdom now. Have you forgotten whose prestige this family is relying on to stand tall? You’ll be begging for my favor for a long time yet. For now, just keep your tail tucked in and do as you’re told. No more lip!”
Lin Gui: …
Reluctantly, he replied: “Yes, my dear Lady Hong…”
“Hmph.”
After coldly laying down the law to Lin Gui, Xi Hongrui turned to Mother Xi and asked, “Has Luyan gone to her room yet?”
Hearing the second daughter mentioned, Mother Xi finally found her maternal authority and launched into a complaint: “Don’t even get me started on that! I spent two taels of silver to get that useless girl into the Fifth Young Master’s chamber, and within days, the good-for-nothing was kicked out. That silver went straight down the drain, and now she’s just eating and living here for free. That wretched girl is going to be the death of me! We might as well marry her off sooner rather than later!”
Xi Hongrui cut her off directly: “Drop that idea from now on. I’ve found some temporary work outside and need a maid. The pay is generous. Since Luyan isn’t serving in any chamber, I’ll take her with me.”
Mother Xi immediately panicked: “If you take her away, who’s going to help me here? I’m washing clothes for the entire household! Are you trying to work me to death?”
Xi Hongrui snorted, poured a handful of silver scraps from her purse, and said, “You won’t be short-changed.”
At the sight of the silver, both Lin Gui and Mother Xi fell silent. Mother Xi hurriedly scooped up the silver, keeping it away from Lin Gui, and replied cheerfully: “Fine, fine, take her wherever you like. But don’t keep her away too long!”
“Understood.”
Xi Hongrui secretly handed them the contact address and made them memorize it. Once Xi Luyan had dressed and come out, Xi Hongrui signaled for her and Lin Gui to follow.
After a few steps, she remembered something and turned back to warn Mother Xi: “You know full well what the penalty is for selling a servant twice. If you want to earn this money, keep your mouths shut!”
“Oh, we know!”
Xi Hongrui shot Mother Xi a glance, then grabbed Lin Baozhu and slapped him twice across the face: “Do you understand?!”
Lin Baozhu: …
“Waaah—”
Mother Xi rushed over, slapping Xi Hongrui’s hand in distress: “He knows, he knows! I’ll teach him! Why do you have to hit him, you wretched girl!”
Xi Hongrui snorted, then took Xi Luyan’s hand and turned to walk out the door.After stepping outside, Qin Xingchao was waiting on guard duty. When Xi Hongrui saw him, she shyly lowered her head and said softly, “Brother Qin, you’ve been waiting a long time.”
Qin Xingchao, who had personally witnessed her “beating up the nursing home in the south and kicking the kindergarten in the north”: …
“Young lady, please get in the carriage.”
Xi Hongrui shyly smoothed her hair, and with the movement, three silver bracelets as thick as a little finger jingled as they slipped down.
Upon closer look, she actually wore three on each wrist, intricately carved with dense silver floral patterns. Both the craftsmanship and the material were clearly of great value. Lin Gui, standing nearby, stared with wide-eyed fascination.
Xi Hongrui seemed oblivious and pulled Xi Luyan into the carriage.
Xi Luyan was very uneasy, looking at Xi Hongrui with uncertainty.
Xi Hongrui then grabbed her arm, sliding the silver bracelets off her own wrist and onto Xi Luyan’s.
Xi Hongrui’s arm was plump and rounded, while Xi Luyan’s was emaciated. The bracelets slid all the way down, revealing only a few bony protrusions and an arm covered in bruises.
Xi Hongrui held her hand in her own, smiling as she looked at her. “It’s been so long since we sisters last met. I’m giving you a gift—do you like it?”
Xi Luyan looked at the heavy silver bracelets. Who wouldn’t like something made of real silver? But why did she feel that what her elder sister intended to give her was more than just these?
…
Observing Xi Hongrui’s unusually imposing demeanor, Lin Gui couldn’t help but narrow his eyes. He sidled up to Qin Xingchao to strike up a conversation. “Brother, who are you working for?”
Qin Xingchao was not one to be easily tricked into revealing information. He glanced at Lin Gui and brushed him off with a few vague words.
But Lin Gui wasn’t deterred, his eyes darting around even more quickly.
Soon, the group arrived at a pig farm in the outskirts. The sound of pigs could be heard from afar.
Xi Hongrui, disliking the strong smell, immediately ordered Lin Gui out of the carriage. “This is the place. From now on, come whenever you’re called. After finishing your work, go straight to the manager to collect your pay.”
Lin Gui nodded and bowed in agreement, watching as Xi Hongrui lowered the carriage curtain and drove off.
After Xi Hongrui left, Lin Gui entered the pigsty. The pig farmer informed him that all the piglets in the pen needed to be castrated.
Though unsure of the purpose, Lin Gui was skilled in the lower trades and had a talent for castrating horses. Applying the same technique to pigs, he worked swiftly and precisely. In no time, all the pigs were castrated. The pig farmer paid him several hundred coins and even threw in a piece of pork and a few pork bones.
Lin Gui carried his earnings and staggered back, but he couldn’t forget the sight of the large silver bracelets Xi Hongrui had revealed when she lifted her arm.
“Where did that wretched girl strike it rich?”
His eyes darting, he recalled the address Xi Hongrui had mentioned and headed straight for it.
When he saw the understated yet imposing residence, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully and turned toward a group of beggars huddled by the wall.
He dangled the pork in his hand and pointed at the house, smiling as he asked, “Whose residence is this?”
…
The Chongwen Emperor had to attend the morning court session, which often dragged on endlessly, so he always came around dusk.
Hearing that Xi Hongrui was bringing her sister today, he had specifically instructed De Ren to select some appropriate gifts.
As soon as Xi Hongrui returned, she saw the Chongwen Emperor and De Ren waiting for her and exclaimed in surprise, “Wait! I’ve been running around all day and I’m drenched in sweat. Don’t come near—I’m going to change my clothes!”With a playful smile at them, she immediately grabbed her sister and went to change clothes.
Noble ladies in the capital were all dignified, reserved, gentle, and virtuous—none were as uninhibited, lively, and free-spirited as her.
Chongwen Emperor and De Ren, two older men, watched together, feeling their hearts melt. Youth truly was wonderful!
When Xi Hongrui and Xi Luyan finished freshening up and entered arm in arm, everyone present instantly brightened up.
The two sisters—one in a vibrant red dress, radiant as a lotus in full bloom, the other in a soft green dress, delicate as willow tendrils—stood together like a garden in full spring, a sight too delightful not to admire.
Chongwen Emperor stroked his beard cheerfully and asked, “So this is your sister?”
Xi Hongrui nodded proudly. “Yes, what do you think?”
Having seen many beauties in his time, Chongwen Emperor was no lustful devil and felt no improper interest. Still, he had a natural fondness for lovely appearances, so he felt pleased and replied while stroking his beard, “Excellent!” He then gestured to De Ren to bring out the gifts. Xi Luyan watched them timidly, hiding behind her sister, too shy to speak.
Xi Hongrui, however, had long shed any reservations in front of Chongwen Emperor. She accepted the gifts graciously, her eyes sparkling as she looked at them. “Sir, with my sister here, we have exactly four people now. Why don’t we all play a round of leaf cards together?”
Chongwen Emperor and De Ren exchanged glances. De Ren’s small eyes shifted from her to the emperor, then he cautiously asked, his chubby face lifting, “Miss, when you say four people… does that include this old servant?”
Xi Hongrui widened her eyes and glanced around. “If not you, then who else is in this room?”
“Oh my!” De Ren covered his mouth with a delicate, effeminate gesture and chuckled, then looked up at Chongwen Emperor with an apologetic, questioning gaze. “Your Majesty, this…”
Chongwen Emperor, annoyed by his effeminate mannerisms, waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, fine! The four of us will play together!”
De Ren immediately beamed with joy and eagerly called for the servants to bring the cards. Xi Luyan hesitated, saying, “I don’t know how…”
But Xi Hongrui pulled her down to sit without hesitation, exclaiming excitedly, “What do you mean you don’t know? After one round, you’ll know everything!”
Yet, for all her enthusiasm in organizing the game, round after round, it was Xi Hongrui who lost the most.
To keep things fun without hurting anyone’s purse, they agreed that the loser would have a mark drawn on their face.
As a result, aside from the two marks Xi Luyan earned while still learning, all the remaining marks ended up on Xi Hongrui’s face, turning her into a little painted kitten by the end.
Wide-eyed and incredulous, Xi Hongrui stared at them. “Are you cheating? How come I’m the only one losing every time!”
Chongwen Emperor clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath.
This young girl—whenever she drew a good hand, she couldn’t hide her excitement, becoming more boisterous than anyone else, acting as if she were the cleverest under heaven and unbeatable at the table, certain of victory.
But who couldn’t see right through her? Every time she jumped up cheering, the others would exchange glances and, with perfect understanding, each play a card to suppress her triumph.
Xi Hongrui: …
No fair! Cheaters!
Seeing Xi Hongrui’s face fall into a pout, looking utterly wronged by her losses, Chongwen Emperor quickly comforted her, “There, there, you just had bad luck earlier. This round, you’re sure to win!”
With that, he subtly glanced at De Ren.De Ren grinned from ear to ear, eagerly chiming in, “Yes, yes, yes! This round will surely work!”
Xi Hongrui clenched her fists, her fighting spirit reignited as she declared, “Alright! Let’s go again!”
This time, she seemed to have learned from her previous mistakes, clutching her cards tightly and eyeing everyone warily, afraid someone might peek at her hand.
After watching everyone play their cards intently, she finally won a round and immediately jumped up, cheering, “I won!”
“Aiya…”
De Ren set down his cards, dejectedly admitting, “This time, it’s this old servant who lost.”
Seizing the opportunity, Xi Hongrui threw her head back with a hearty laugh, snatching the brush directly. “I’ll do it! I’ll do it! I’m going to draw a big pig’s head!”
De Ren wore a pitiful expression as he offered his wrinkled face, letting Xi Hongrui scribble all over it until it was a mess. The others burst into laughter together.
The card game continued, the table filled with cheerful laughter, when suddenly, a clamor of noise erupted. Qin Xingchao hurried in, glanced at the others at the table, and finally fixed his gaze on Xi Hongrui, whispering, “Miss Hong, that Master Lin we saw during the day is here again.”
At the mention of the name, Xi Hongrui’s smile vanished instantly. “What does he want?”
Qin Xingchao looked troubled. “I don’t know. He only said he wants to see you.”
Upon hearing this, Xi Luyan immediately grabbed Xi Hongrui’s arm in fear. “Elder Sister, has he changed his mind? Does he want to take me back?”
Xi Hongrui patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t be afraid. As long as I’m here, no one can take you away.”
With that, she released her hand and strode outside.
Xi Luyan, utterly distraught, nervously clasped her hands together, folding them over her chest. Her sleeves, weighed down by heavy silver bracelets, slipped down her slender wrists, revealing patches of blue and purple bruises.
The Chongwen Emperor narrowed his eyes at the sight and shot a meaningful glance at De Ren.
Understanding immediately, De Ren quickly followed Xi Hongrui outside.
They had been playing and laughing in the flower hall, oblivious to the passage of time, completely unaware of the fierce wind that had risen outside.
Xi Hongrui was met with a face full of dust and sand, her crimson skirt billowing wildly in the gale. She glared at Lin Gui outside the gate and shouted angrily, “What are you doing here!”
Lin Gui looked at her, a shrewd glint in his eyes, and replied unhurriedly, “Little Hong, be honest with me. What exactly are you up to in this grand mansion?”
Xi Hongrui’s eyes flashed with anger. “None of your damn business!”
“Ah, it’s none of my business, alright. I’ll just drop by the Crown Princess Consort’s residence tomorrow and ask her maid how she ended up in someone else’s mansion~”
Xi Hongrui’s face flushed with rage. “How dare you!Lin Gui looked at her with the indifference of a dead pig, not afraid of boiling water. “Fine, fine, I don’t dare. Then I’ll just head home now~”
Panicked, Xi Hongrui hurried after him. “Stop! Exposing this will only bring trouble for everyone! What good will it do you?”
Lin Gui turned leisurely to face her. “Oh, no need to worry. You’re the esteemed senior maid—if the sky falls, you’ll be the one holding it up. Lowly folks like us are beneath notice~”
Xi Hongrui’s face paled. “What do you want?”
Lin Gui let out a snicker, giving her a meaningful look as he rubbed his hands together. “You’ve found such a fine patron out here, yet you’re so stingy with your own family. Handling things like this really hurts our feelings, you know~”
Xi Hongrui seemed on the verge of tears from frustration with this scoundrel, stamping her foot fiercely.At this moment, De Ren walked over from behind, glanced at Lin Gui, and without hesitation pulled several stacks of gold leaves from his sleeve, holding them high. “You want money, right? Take this and don’t come back.”
Xi Hongrui, seeing this, grew furious and shouted, “Don’t give it to him!”
But De Ren comforted her, urging her to stay calm and not get angry over such lowly scum.
Lin Gui’s eyes widened at the sight of the gold leaves.
Soon, however, his attention shifted to De Ren’s face.
Though De Ren was in plain clothes, some of his long-ingrained eunuch habits were impossible to conceal.
Lin Gui, having castrated pigs all day and learned from a beggar who owned this residence, couldn’t help but laugh aloud, thinking of the pigs he had castrated and the pig-like softness of De Ren’s face.
Taking the stacks of gold leaves from De Ren, he pinched his fingers and simpered, “This humble one thanks the noble lord~”
De Ren: …
His gaze fell on Lin Gui’s slightly upturned fingers, then slowly lifted his eyelids.
Noticing Lin Gui’s thinly veiled mocking expression, he slowly raised his head, took out a snow-white handkerchief, and covered his nose and mouth.
Xi Hongrui, oblivious to the subtlety, stamped her feet in frustration. “You old dog, just you wait!”
Lin Gui paid no mind, wiggling his fingers. “Oh, why so angry? Your master doesn’t even care. Thank you, my lord~”
Xi Hongrui was so enraged she burst into tears, burying her face in De Ren’s shoulder.
De Ren, seeing her rush toward him, forgot everything else and quickly held her close.
But when he glanced aside, he caught Lin Gui unable to suppress a smug smirk.
De Ren’s face twitched. Well, well, very well!
…
Xi Hongrui ran into the room crying and found Xi Luyan also weeping bitterly.
The Chongwen Emperor, sitting nearby, clearly knew everything and was irritably tapping the table.
At the sight, Xi Hongrui couldn’t hold back her sobs. “Why… What did we sisters do wrong… to have such a beast for a father!”
The Chongwen Emperor quickly helped her up and held her in his arms. Seeing the bruises on Xi Luyan’s arms, he finally understood why Xi Hongrui had insisted on bringing her sister here—what kind of life had these sisters been living?
Xi Hongrui and Xi Luyan wept for a long while until thunder rumbled outside. Xi Hongrui wiped her tears, stood up, and said weakly, “My lord, the weather has turned. Thank you for spending the evening with us. Please hurry back.”
The Chongwen Emperor glanced at the impending storm outside and nodded helplessly. “Very well. Don’t grieve too much.”
Xi Hongrui and Xi Luyan bowed respectfully together, seeing him out.
The storms of June always arrive without warning. In no time, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and rain poured down.
Xi Luyan rushed into Xi Hongrui’s room and threw herself into her arms. “Sister, I’m scared!”
Xi Hongrui held her close, stroking her back, and sneered at the raging storm outside. “What is there to fear?”
After tonight, there would be nothing left to fear.
…
Back in the palace, the Chongwen Emperor slammed the table. “How could there be such a cruel stepfather in this world!”De Ren’s face had been wiped clean of ink stains. Bowing deeply, she wiped her tears and said, “This servant’s heart aches at the thought. If one day your true identity is revealed, that wretched man will surely use your name to cause endless trouble for the Imperial Concubine.”
Chongwen Emperor slowly narrowed his eyes—
Then he must never be allowed to see that day.
Crack.
Qin Xingchao stared at the teacup shattered before him, then lifted his gaze to the ruler of the realm.
Without another word, he bowed and withdrew.
In the wind and rain, Lin Gui hurried home in high spirits. Even drenched by the downpour, nothing could dampen his mood.
Qin Xingchao followed behind him, his gleaming blade slowly drawn from its sheath. From the day he’d mistakenly entered this line of work, he had imagined this moment. Yet now that it had truly arrived, his heart still pounded like a drum.
He was, after all, a scholar!
Qin Xingchao trembled as he gripped the blade, his breathing growing ragged in the heavy rain, like a fish gasping out of water.
At one moment, he fiercely raised the blade—
Only to lower it bit by bit.
He still couldn’t bring himself to do it!
Lin Gui safely reached home. Feeling some discomfort in his stomach, he headed straight for the outhouse.
Just as he loosened his waistband, a powerful force struck him from behind. Before Lin Gui could even widen his eyes, he plunged headfirst into the pit with a splash.
The torrential rain drowned out all sound. Qin Xingchao stood outside, gripping his blade tightly, waiting for the cries for help to fade completely.
Only when the sounds had vanished did he let out a long, relieved sigh.
It seemed the weight of his guilt had lightened considerably now.