From morning until the day was over, Yang Jian seemed to have vanished without a trace. He had disappeared completely and never returned.
Even during the tea ceremony, he left his wife to face everyone alone. Yang Jian's actions caused the old Marquis of Ding'an, the old Marchioness, the eldest master, the eldest madam, the senior relatives, and even the members of the secondary household to look at Bai Mingyue with contempt.
Though theirs was an imperial marriage, everyone could see the emperor's intentions. Using this woman to curb the power and influence of the Yang family was something they truly had no choice but to accept. Even so, they would never acknowledge a lowborn daughter-in-law.
The tea ceremony was filled with a cold, gloomy atmosphere before passing in a simple, quiet manner, as though they were paying respects at a grave.
Ming Yue felt as if she were bowing before the graves of the many comrades who had died in Death Valley on her mysterious island in the middle of the sea.
Sigh! Being Miss Bai meant she really had to steel herself. Could things get any worse than this?
Ming Yue stormed back to her quarters, while her personal maid, Jin Xin, followed behind, wiping away her tears in fury. The young woman turned to look at her. “What’s wrong with you?”
Jin Xin sobbed bitterly and said, “I never imagined Consort Wei’s solution to the problem would end like this. At first, I thought that being given an imperial marriage to a man as remarkable and mighty as General Yang would let my lady hold her head high like a phoenix and live in safety, without any more worries or heartache. But I truly never expected the people of the Yang residence to look down on you so much.”
After complaining at length, she wiped away the tears streaming down her face until it was smeared with them. Jin Xin continued bitterly, “And there’s General Yang himself. Why does he have to be so cold? He’s far too heartless.”
Ever since waking up in this body, the person Ming Yue liked most was Jin Xin. She was a loyal servant. Though weak and lacking in strength, she had remarkable endurance. With her round face, plump cheeks, and squinting eyes, she was especially adorable whenever she lost her temper.
Jin Xin deserved to be cherished and cared for more than anyone.
Ming Yue reached out to wipe the little maid’s tears, gently patting her slender shoulder as she comforted her in a bold, reassuring voice. “Jin Xin, I’m perfectly fine. This sort of thing is nothing major. Besides, General Yang is simply that kind of person. We can’t change other people into whatever we want them to be. Understand?”
Jin Xin blinked her damp eyes and nodded vigorously.
Ming Yue continued, “Everything between General Yang and me is entirely my fault. Don’t blame him.”
The little maid nodded again, but she was deeply confused. “What do you mean, my lady? What did you do wrong?”
Ming Yue shook her head, shame flickering in her eyes.
Sigh! She really couldn’t bring herself to explain how she had kicked her husband out of bed on the morning after their wedding night.
“Let’s put it this way. From now on, you don’t have to do anything for me. Instead, you have to let me take good care of you. Deal?”
Jin Xin was startled. “What are you saying, my lady? I’m the one who should be taking care of you.”
“I’m the one who should be taking care of you. I’ll raise you like my own little sister.”
“My lady!”
Jin Xin wailed loudly. She couldn’t help wondering why the eldest young lady seemed to have changed into an entirely different person. In the past, if her lady had encountered something this heartbreaking, she would have cried so hard she passed out.
Yet now, Jin Xin had not seen a single tear from her mistress. All she saw was a dazzling, radiant smile, bright as someone without a care in the world. Her manner and speech were bold and spirited, no different from a man’s.
In truth, Jin Xin had quite a nasty streak. But while serving the gentle and soft-spoken Bai Mingyue, whose manner and words were as tender as a cool, refreshing stream, she had never felt comfortable acting bluntly or revealing anything improper. She had been forced to keep her darker side hidden. After all, even if she wanted to offer advice to her sensitive mistress, she feared that she would only be encouraging a perfectly good young lady, as pure as a white cloth, to become so strange and colorful that she would offend the eye, be hated even more than before, and possibly be bullied several times worse.
As a mere servant, what more could she do than cry alongside her mistress?
But her lady now showed none of the weakness and dejection of before. Instead, she looked strong and full of energy. Though she appeared indifferent to the calamities crashing down around her, she seemed even more ready to charge straight into them.
Jin Xin naturally had no idea that Ming Yue was someone who had died and been reborn. Her smile had nothing to do with anyone else. Only Heaven knew why she had been given the chance to open her eyes once more.
The fated bond of love would have to wait for another day before its truth could finally be revealed.