Chapter 8

16

After that fright, I stayed indoors to avoid running into Xie Hui again. I would not set foot outside the residence.

But one could not guard against everything.

Before long, a servant hurried in. Xie Hui had come to visit, with Cui Yu beside him.

My heart jolted. I hurried out.

“What happened?”

Cui Yu's eyes were red. He threw himself into my arms, looking wronged.

“Miaoli, I only went out to buy brushes. Someone tried to put a sack over my head and carry me away. I was terrified. I thought I'd never see you again. Luckily, Master Xie passed by and saved me.”

Here in the capital, beneath the emperor's own eyes, the law had always been strict. Since when had it become this lawless?

Abducting people in broad daylight? Daring to lay hands on my properly wedded husband?

Cui Yu was my precious treasure. I could never cherish or indulge him enough. What wretch was so tired of living that he dared steal my man?

I patted his back gently.

“Don't be afraid. I'm here.”

Beside us, Xie Hui's expression kept changing, as though something had suddenly dawned on him.

“Miaoli? Jiang Miaoli?”

He stared at me, breathing hard.

“It's you!”

I raised an eyebrow. Had he finally remembered that bridal ball?

His gaze moved to Cui Yu, nestled in my arms. His teeth ground together, and cold seemed to roll off him.

Cui Yu drew in his neck slightly.

“How strange. Why has it suddenly turned cold?”

I held him closer.

“Never mind. We'll go to our room, and I'll warm your hands.”

“Go to your room… warm his hands?”

Xie Hui's face grew even darker, almost savage.

Cui Yu blushed and spoke gently to him.

“Thank you for saving me today, Master Xie. We have some private matters to attend to, so we won't keep you.”

Watching us lean against each other, Xie Hui looked so aggrieved and heartsick that tears almost filled his eyes.

17

On the day the examination rankings were announced in the Golden Hall, Cui Yu took first place.

Radiant with success, the gentle, handsome new top graduate drew the eyes of every official at court.

The emperor was delighted. He immediately proposed a royal match, intending to give him a noblewoman of the imperial clan and create a splendid court romance.

But no sooner had he spoken than Cui Yu bowed and stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, my heart is already pledged. I have promised myself in marriage and dare not accept another match from the imperial family.”

The hall erupted.

Before the murmurs died, Cui Yu calmly recounted his past difficulties in full.

“Without my wife, Jiang Miaoli, there would be no Cui Yu standing here as today's top graduate. I owe her both my future and my life.”

Moved, the emperor praised his loyalty and gratitude. He immediately issued a decree commending me for my chivalrous kindness and eye for talent.

In an instant, my reputation spread throughout the capital and the court.

After the audience, the officials began to disperse.

Xie Hui stood beneath the covered walkway, waiting silently for Cui Yu.

Once the others had gone, he approached and asked tentatively, “You said your wife only came to Yangzhou this year…”

“Where was she before that?”

Cui Yu looked up, a trace of wariness in his eyes.

Why did this cold, iron-hearted deputy minister keep taking an interest in Miaoli's past?

He would not reveal a word of such a secret.

Thinking quickly, he composed his face and invented an excuse. His feet turned, ready for flight.

“Forgive me, Master Xie. There's suddenly a fire at home. I'm afraid it's spreading. I must hurry back to put it out. Please excuse me!”

He had not finished speaking before he was gone.

Xie Hui stood alone in the long walkway.

His hands clenched at his sides. Watching Cui Yu's retreating figure, he was left with nothing but pent-up frustration.

What a slippery fellow. He protected his wife as though his life depended on it.

Was she his wife?

Surely she ought to have been Xie Hui's…

18

Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that, only a few days after becoming top graduate, Cui Yu would keep a mistress outside the household.

He had hidden her on a private estate beyond the city.

That wretch deserved a thousand cuts!

Only last night, he had knelt at my feet, softly calling me his empress. Today, he wanted someone else calling him imperial father.

I was hurt, furious, and grinding my teeth.

A moment earlier, I had been in high spirits. I had gone to a craftsman's shop to order a leather whip, then chosen the outfit he liked best, planning to reward him lavishly tonight.

But the moment I left the shop, I heard two people gossiping in low voices nearby.

“Have you heard? The new top graduate is keeping a mistress at an estate outside the city. They say she's a poor girl who sold herself to bury her father.”

“He has had a hard time. He could have married a wife, yet he had to marry into the Jiang family. Now that he's risen in the world, why shouldn't he reward himself?”

“It's all very secret. His wife must not know a thing.”