Chapter Thirteen: The Grand Show Is About to Begin

Returning to the small courtyard, Wang Mu brought hot water to Chu Xi and Cai Ping to soothe their injured areas.

Cai Ping, clutching her bruised and swollen face, asked, "Miss, are we really going back to the Duke of Zhen Guo’s mansion? When are we leaving? Why not start packing now? After all, with the silver and expenses that General Mo gave us, life won't be so hard anymore."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xi could only smile wryly in resignation. "You silly girl, don’t take words spoken in anger literally. If it were truly up to us whether to go or stay, we wouldn’t have ended up in such a predicament."

Wang Mu sighed heavily. "But now that General Mo is protecting you, Miss, and you have enough to eat and wear, life is far better than it was at the Duke's mansion."

Chu Xi recalled the gifts Mo Zixiao had brought her yesterday and smiled warmly.

“Cai Ping, Wang Mu, come sit down. I have something to tell you.”

The two were somewhat surprised by Chu Xi’s serious tone.

Cai Ping couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, what’s wrong? You sound different.”

Chu Xi looked at them and revealed a rare, heartfelt smile.

“Since I entered the Duke of Zhen Guo’s mansion, we've endured those harsh days together for three years. Although we’ve now escaped that hellish cage, this marquisate is no paradise either, and my future is entirely beyond my control.”

“So while I still have the power to decide for you, I want to arrange your marriages. I wonder if you both are willing?”

Cai Ping lowered her head in delighted shyness, smiling without words.

Wang Mu, too, was overjoyed. In truth, over these three years, both he and Cai Ping had developed feelings for each other, but their difficult circumstances forced them to set those aside for now.

Chu Xi had always noticed this and now felt the time had come; she could no longer delay their happiness.

Seeing shy Cai Ping and Wang Mu beaming with joy, Chu Xi felt genuine happiness for them.

“Pick a date and hold the wedding ceremony. Then, take the silver and other things Mo Zixiao gave me, leave the marquisate, and find a new path in life.”

“Miss, so you’re driving us away? Then I won’t marry,” Cai Ping said, her pain tearing at her heart.

Wang Mu knelt down. “Miss, we will never leave you in this life, not even in death.”

Chu Xi coaxed them gently, “I want to return to the marquisate to secure a future for you both.”

Cai Ping wept, “Life with you is no less a future. Even though I was beaten today, it’s still far better than those days at the Duke of Zhen Guo’s mansion. At least we can eat our fill, wear warm clothes, and live like humans.”

Wang Mu said firmly, “Miss, rest assured, even if Cai Ping and I do not marry, we will never leave you.”

Chu Xi sighed helplessly. “Why is it that you just don’t understand my heart?”

Cai Ping cried, blaming, “Miss, you have never understood our hearts either.”

Chu Xi shook her head. “Enough. You two choose a wedding date first; we’ll discuss everything else later.”

Cai Ping choked back tears. “As long as we don’t have to leave you, anything is fine.”

Chu Xi sighed again, thinking to herself that if they refused to leave, then all she could do was pray that the wheels of fate would turn for the better, so they would no longer suffer by following her.

Spring Bud hurried into Chu Yue’s boudoir, still out of breath, pointing outside. “Second Miss, I’ve found out everything. The gatekeeper’s boy just went to the Xiang family to deliver a letter.”

Chu Yue’s eyes suddenly brightened. “Really?”

Spring Bud nodded confidently. “Yes, I secretly slipped him a string of coins.”

Chu Yue smiled. “The show is about to begin.”