Ji Yueming was not in a good mood. She disliked watching operas and felt that her younger siblings and the Zhao family’s children were making too much noise, causing her ears to ache. However, she had to stay for the New Year’s Eve vigil and couldn’t leave. So, she took a maid with her and walked along a small path under the trees to get away from the noise, idly watching the fireworks that occasionally lit up the night sky.
Not long after she left the crowd, she vaguely saw two figures arguing ahead.
Tilting her head slightly, she asked the maid beside her, “Who are those two people?”
Just as she finished speaking, one of the people standing in the shadows slapped the other, who immediately knelt down.
The maid squinted and looked for a while before saying, “It seems to be Miss Ye and her maid.”
Ji Yueming nodded, feeling a bit surprised. In her impression, Ye Yunyue was gentle and kind, rarely losing her temper with her servants. The only time she had acted out of character was when she had fiercely demanded to break off her engagement. Could it be that she behaved differently in private and was actually harsh to her servants? Ji Yueming loved watching a good drama, so she naturally had to go over and make some sarcastic comments.
As Ji Yueming walked over with her maid, she vaguely heard Ye Yunyue reprimanding, “Who told you to act on your own? Do you know what our status is now? How could you do such a foolish thing? If this causes a scandal, how am I supposed to deal with it, you stupid servant?”
“Miss Ye, what happened? What did the maid do to make you so angry?” Ji Yueming frowned, feigning concern on her face.
Ye Yunyue shivered in fear, took two steps back, and avoided eye contact.
Sensing something was wrong, Ji Yueming smiled and walked towards Ye Yunyue, affectionately holding her hand, “Miss Ye, it’s New Year’s, and everyone in the household is busy. If there’s been any neglect, please forgive us. The family doesn’t mean any disrespect. If you have any difficulties, feel free to tell me.”
Ye Yunyue’s eyes flickered with hesitation.
Seeing her like this, Ji Yueming’s curiosity grew even stronger. There must be a secret! It was like a claw scratching at Ji Yueming’s heart, making her unbearably curious.
Finally, Ye Yunyue made up her mind and clasped Ji Yueming’s hand earnestly, “Yueming, you have to help me!”
“What is it? Just tell me!” Ji Yueming was impatient.
Ye Yunyue glanced resentfully at the maid kneeling and sobbing, then finally began to speak, “This maid of mine saw Third Master and the Fifth Mistress sneaking into the gatehouse.”
“What?” Ji Yueming’s expression changed immediately. Could it be related to Gu Jianli? Her heart skipped a beat, feeling a bit thrilled.
Ye Yunyue nodded with a frown, sighed, and spoke in a troubled tone, “You know, when I was younger, I did something foolish. I broke off the engagement when Fifth Master was seriously ill. It was really heartless and unjust. Later, although I married into the Pei family, I’ve always felt guilty towards Fifth Master. But since I was married, it wasn’t appropriate to have any connection with him.”
She sighed again and continued, “In the past few years, I’ve realized I made a mistake by marrying into the Pei family. Divorcing was my way of making amends. Without the status of a wife, I dared to follow my aunt here this time to formally apologize to Fifth Master and your family for my rash actions in my youth.”
Ji Yueming listened intently on the surface, but inside she was anxious. She had heard enough of Ye Yunyue’s words and quickly asked the most pressing question, “You just mentioned my third brother and Fifth Mistress?”
Ye Yunyue nodded and said, “All these years, I’ve kept my guilt to myself, but my maid knows about it. Just now, she accidentally saw Third Master and Fifth Mistress entering the gatehouse. She felt that since Fifth Master is in such a pitiful state now, Fifth Mistress’s actions were a betrayal. So she secretly barred the door, trying to stand up for Fifth Master.”
“The door was barred?” Ji Yueming’s eyes lit up, almost shouting, “That’s great!”
“This maid is so foolish! Yes, I do feel guilty towards Fifth Master and wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to him. Other than that, I have no other intentions. By doing this, it makes it seem to outsiders like I still have feelings for Fifth Master,” Ye Yunyue said awkwardly. “I was the one who broke off the engagement with Fifth Master and made such a big scene. Moreover, I’m already married. How dare I have any improper thoughts? Besides, Fifth Master is in such poor health now. If he knew that Fifth Mistress was unfaithful to him, how could he bear it?”
Ye Yunyue glanced at Ji Yueming’s face, paused for a moment, and continued, “So I plan to go back and unbar the door. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything and won’t get involved.”
Ye Yunyue turned around after speaking, but Ji Yueming quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her. Ji Yueming said, “Miss Ye, that’s where you’re wrong! Since you know that Gu Jianli is such a shameless person, betraying my fifth uncle, how can you pretend not to know?”
“I…” Ye Yunyue looked flustered. “Yueming, my situation is too awkward; I can’t interfere!”
Ji Yueming smiled.
She patted Ye Yunyue’s hand and said with a smile, “Miss Ye, you have a point. If my fifth uncle found out, he wouldn’t be able to handle it. But when I was coming over, I saw Grandmother looking for you everywhere. If you go back to the gatehouse and get spotted by a servant, you’ll be suspected. Gu Jianli dared to do such a thing, and there might be a maid watching out for them.”
“This… this…” Ye Yunyue became even more flustered.
Ji Yueming spoke kindly, “How about this, you go back to the banquet, and I’ll quietly unbar the door for you. I’m just taking a walk in my own home; no one will suspect me!”
Ye Yunyue hesitated but eventually trusted her. She gratefully held Ji Yueming’s hand tightly and said, “Thank you so much! Be careful not to get caught!”
“Don’t worry, even if I get caught, I won’t rat you out!” Ji Yueming said with a sense of loyalty.
“Alright!” Ye Yunyue nodded heavily, showing a grateful smile.
Ji Yueming hurriedly made her way to the gatehouse with her maid. The kneeling maid stood up, her crying face gone. She lowered her voice and asked, “Miss, the eldest young lady is truly a sharp tool.”
Ye Yunyue smiled, her expression relaxed as she headed towards the stage. Reborn into this life, she wouldn’t act impulsively; she had learned to be the one who hands over the knife.
Ji Yueming walked quickly and stopped when the gatehouse came into view. The maid beside her whispered, “The door is indeed barred. Shall I go back and get someone?”
Ji Yueming sneered, “What’s the fun in catching them in the act?”
The maid was stunned and asked, “Miss, what do you mean?”
“Did you bring a fire striker?” Ji Yueming squinted her eyes and spoke slowly.
Inside the dim gatehouse.
Gu Jianli had her back to Ji Xuanke, her eyes downcast, unable to hide the tears. She had once hoped to marry the man behind her, like any girl waiting to be married. She had once dreamt of a peaceful and smooth future, and in her dreams, the man behind her was always present.
But in just over three months, everything had changed.
Ji Xuanke, with red-rimmed eyes, stared at Gu Jianli’s back just inches away and asked softly, “Why didn’t you wait for me to come back?”
Gu Jianli felt a bitterness in her heart but managed to smile. Wait for him? She wanted to ask why he left. But she didn’t ask, because there was no need to anymore.
Ji Xuanke took a step closer to Gu Jianli and asked again, “Will you come with me? Leave everything here and come with me…”
His heart ached; he couldn’t bear the thought of his beloved Nan Nan becoming his aunt. He couldn’t stand watching her always by his fifth uncle’s side.
Tears fell as Ji Xuanke choked out, “I brought you the new sweets from Shijin Pavilion and had a wedding dress tailored for you at Jinxiu Workshop…”
He took another step and grabbed Gu Jianli’s wrist.
“Nan Nan, come with me. Leave everything here and come with me!”
Gu Jianli gently pushed Ji Xuanke’s hand away, took two steps back, and asked, “Are you asking me to elope with you?”
“Yes,” Ji Xuanke replied firmly.
She lowered her eyes and said, “I won’t go with you. You can abandon everything, but I can’t. I am now married to your fifth uncle. Please be more mindful in the future. When your fifth uncle is not around, I ask that you do not speak to me.”
Her tone grew increasingly distant as tears slowly fell.
“Fifth uncle…” Ji Xuanke staggered. “I can’t just stand by and watch you be with him!”
Gu Jianli smiled self-mockingly. She sighed softly and said warmly, “You are a learned and promising young man. You should not let your heart be consumed by such feelings. You are merely confused for the moment. In ten years, you will understand the rashness of today.”
Ji Xuanke only understood her rejection. He bitterly raised his eyes and asked, “Nan Nan, I know you had no choice. You still have feelings for me. Don’t you really want to come with me?”
“Where to?” Gu Jianli finally turned around to face Ji Xuanke, “May I ask, without your family’s support, can you earn a living to support us? If we were caught for adultery and incest, what would you do then?”
Ji Xuanke stood stunned, unable to meet her clear eyes.
Gu Jianli took a step towards him, suppressing her pain, and spoke harshly, “You say you want to take me away, but what do you have to oppose your parents and family? What ability do you have to protect me, or even yourself?”
Ji Xuanke took another step back, his handsome face now in disarray.
Seeing him like this, Gu Jianli felt miserable inside. But she had to steel herself. She held back her tears and said, “I believe you are just young and will grow stronger in ten years, not controlled by anyone. By then, you will be able to protect your wife and children. I wish you a successful career and a harmonious marriage.”
Gu Jianli resolutely turned away.
“Jianli!” Ji Xuanke called out to her with a last glimmer of hope, “What if I wait for you? What if my fifth uncle passes away…”
“Ji Shao!” Gu Jianli interrupted him angrily, “Do you know what you are saying?”
Ji Xuanke was startled, realizing he had misspoken. He had just wished for his fifth uncle to die soon… What was wrong with him? How could he think such a thing?
Awakened by the evil thought that had momentarily risen in his heart, Ji Xuanke felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, his face turning pale. It was as if he had woken up from a dream in an instant.
“I’ll consider it a slip of the tongue, but never mention such things again!” Gu Jianli didn’t delay any longer and turned to push the door.
It wouldn’t budge.
“The door is locked…” Gu Jianli was startled, her heart sinking.
She pushed again, but the wooden door still wouldn’t open.
Outside, flames quietly began to burn.
