Jiang Xueting sneered coldly, "Yes, I've been deceiving you. Are you even worthy of bearing my child?! You're not even comparable to a single strand of her hair!"
Tao Ziyi trembled all over, tears streaming down her face. "How dare you humiliate me like this? I'll make sure she pays with her life!"
Jiang Xueting's gaze turned icy, fierce like wolf eyes. "If you dare lay a finger on her, I'll take your life first!" Without another word, he moved forward, but Zhou ZhengHai hurriedly stepped in with others to restrain him, repeatedly saying, "Dean Jiang, you mustn't!"
Tao Ziyi stared at Jiang Xueting with eyes that seemed to spit fire. The Guards could barely hold him back. Overwhelmed by hatred and pain, she broke into hysterical sobs. "Jiang Xueting, kill me! Go ahead and kill me if you have the guts! You've ruined me! What's the point of living anymore?"
Tao Yayi was also terrified, her face pale. She never expected Jiang Xueting to lose control like this. She desperately pulled Tao Ziyi back when an Aide-de-camp rushed in from outside and shouted, "Report!"
Zhou ZhengHai commanded, "Come here!" The Aide-de-camp approached. At the sight of him, Jiang Xueting relaxed his strength and asked, "Did you find her?"
The Aide-de-camp stood at attention. "Yes, the Second Battalion found her at the ferry."
Jiang Xueting glanced back at Tao Ziyi, who stood with clenched fists, defiantly waiting. He looked at her coldly and said, "Your father has already pledged allegiance to the Jinling Government. Didn't you want to return to Golden Mausoleum? Leave now, and don't ever come back!"
With that, he turned and walked out with the Guards.
Tao Ziyi stood there in a daze for a moment, listening as his footsteps faded into the distance. Suddenly, her face turned pale, as if waking from a dream, and she dashed outside. Tao Yayi called out in astonishment, "Second Sister!" But she had already rushed out of the hall, chasing along the cobblestone path. She saw Jiang Xueting's figure ahead and cried out in panic, "Xue Ting—"
The distant figure paused but did not turn around.
She said, "I won't go back to Golden Mausoleum."
The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, surrounded by clusters of hibiscus flowers in vibrant shades of purple and red, blooming so abundantly that the branches bent under their weight, drooping toward the ground. She watched his retreating figure as a warm wind enveloped her completely. Choking back tears, she pleaded, "Don't go."
He didn't even look back, walking away without hesitation.
Tao Ziyi stood alone amidst the hibiscus bushes. Before her, one branch, heavy with lush blossoms, sagged so low that the tip of a double-petal hibiscus dipped into a puddle of muddy water at the roots. Though the flower hadn't yet withered, it had already begun to wilt.
She reached up to touch the tears on her face—cold teardrops that stung like ice. They reminded her of those extravagant, flamboyant days when she wore floor-length gowns, a lavish hairpin tilted in her bun, twirling round and round in the dance hall, radiating unparalleled elegance. The long beaded tassels of the hairpin would sway down, brushing softly against her embroidered collar and occasionally touching her neck—just as cold as these tears.Thus the flower withered, just like her brilliant and frivolous youth, reaching its end.
Chapter Ten
Mutual Respect in Marriage Yet Hearts Remain Unsettled
The Ice-Cold Jade Hairpin Ultimately Betrays a Promise
At night, the lights in the Small Mansion were glaringly bright. Jiang Xueting paced in the antechamber of the bedroom, occasionally glancing inside. A red sandalwood bed stood draped with Zhuluo gauze curtains, from which gold-embroidered velvet balls hung on all sides. She lay motionless within the curtains. Anxious, he turned and snapped at the outside, "Where is the doctor? Why hasn’t the doctor arrived yet? Are they all dead?!"
Before his words faded, the aide-de-camp announced from outside, "Dean Jiang, the doctor is here." The door opened to reveal a tall doctor carrying a medical kit, hurriedly summoned from the hospital by the aide-de-camp.
Jiang Xueting wasted no time, urging, "Please, go in quickly." Ruixiang emerged from the bedroom and led the doctor inside. The spacious room was warm and cozy. Ruixiang drew back the curtains, and Pingjun, in a daze, felt someone help her sit up. Gasping for breath, her eyes too heavy to open, she whispered almost inaudibly, "Save me..."
The doctor paused in surprise, while Ruixiang softly explained with a smile, "Madam suffered a fright during the day, which disturbed the fetus." The doctor nodded, checked Pingjun’s pulse, listened to her breathing, and took her temperature before calmly stating, "Indeed, it’s due to shock, but it’s not serious. Madam is blessed with good fortune. I’ll prescribe some medicine to stabilize the pregnancy; take it regularly, and she’ll be fine."
He went to write the prescription, and Ruixiang helped Pingjun lie back on the pillow. After finishing, the doctor turned to Ruixiang and said, "Take this prescription to Dean Jiang first to avoid any mistakes." Noting his caution, Ruixiang took the prescription and went to the outer room.
Pingjun lay on the pillow, her eyelids too heavy to lift, drifting in and out of consciousness. Suddenly, she heard someone beside her whispering urgently, "Miss Ye, Miss Ye, how did you end up here?"
Even in her stupor, the voice struck a chord. Struggling to open her eyes, she saw a figure in a white coat standing by the bed, resembling a doctor. With effort, she pleaded, "Save me..." The man whispered gently, "Miss Ye, don’t you recognize me? I’m Li Yuan’s elder brother, Xie Zhaohua."
Her mind was in turmoil, yet the name Xie Zhaohua vaguely registered. In such dire straits, grasping at any hope, her heart clenched. She reached out, clutching the hem of his coat, and murmured, "Please, help me send a letter to the Yu family’s Fifth Master, Yu Changxuan, in Golden Mausoleum. Tell him I’m in Jiang Xueting’s hands, in grave danger... the child... the child is at risk..."
Xie Zhaohua was utterly bewildered, but seeing her desperate state, he understood her peril. He reached out, firmly clasped her hand, and reassured her softly, "Don’t worry, I will help you." Tears in her eyes, she slowly released her grip.There was a sound of the door opening, and Ruixiang entered holding a prescription. She smiled at Xie Zhaohua and said, "Dr. Xie, Dean Jiang is concerned that one of the herbs might cause an allergic reaction in the mistress. Could you please make a change?" Xie Zhaohua replied with a "Certainly," then turned and walked over with his medicine case. Ruixiang approached to tuck Pingjun's quilt tighter and, seeing that she was sleeping soundly, felt reassured and followed him out.
After taking a dose of the pregnancy-preserving medicine, her complexion gradually improved, and she slept much more peacefully. When Jiang Xueting came in to check on her, Ruixiang lifted the bed curtain and whispered, "Let's not disturb her." Ruixiang then bowed her head, drew back both sides of the curtain, fastened them with golden hooks, and quietly left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
She lay with her eyes closed on the pillow, her breathing even, her hair cascading like clouds beside her, as if tousled by a gust of wind. Her gaunt face was utterly devoid of color. He couldn't quite describe the turmoil in his heart—it felt as if it were being clawed at by a cat's paw. After a long moment, he murmured softly, "Pingjun, if I end up losing to him someday, will you rejoice for him? Or will you grieve for me?"
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if stirred by a breeze, though the windows in the room were tightly shut, and there was no wind. He knew she was awake. Reaching out, he took her hand, and her fingers trembled. She opened her eyes—those pupils like dark stones settled in a water-filled vase. He gazed at her, his own eyes clouded with confusion. "Pingjun, do you still remember... how things used to be between us?"
Finally, she said, "I remember."
His heart stirred; she had never spoken to him in such a gentle tone before. He stared fixedly at her, but she was gazing at the canopy above the bed, murmuring quietly, "I lost the Jade Hairpin you gave me. Later, you gave me another, saying it was better than the one I'd lost. I told you then, no matter how much better it was, it could never be the original."
He paused, then gave a faint smile. "I truly wish I could find that original one."
She replied, "The timing is all wrong now. Even if you found it, the object would remain, but the person has changed. What would be the point?"
A deathly silence filled the room. The small golden pom-poms on the bed curtain dangled down, casting faint, shifting shadows on the wall under the lamplight. He stared at her as if all his strength had drained away, then let out a self-mocking chuckle and whispered, "I know that after what I did to you, you must always hate me. But I don't care about that. What about him, though? Do you really think he wouldn't mind at all?"
Her lips trembled soundlessly. He continued, "There are two things I must tell you. First, your aunt's death was no accident. Someone arranged for the fire to be set. Whether you believe it or not, the true target was you—because he couldn't tolerate his son being so consumed by a woman that he neglected the world!"
He went on, his voice calm and detached, "And the second thing: when I abducted you to Yuzhou, I was actually saving your life. Less than an hour after my men secretly took you away, the boat exploded. Naturally, that was also his arrangement. Pingjun, after hearing all this, do you still not understand?"
Pingjun's breathing grew rapid, her voice so faint she could barely hear it herself. "I don't believe it."
Jiang Xueting smiled slightly. "You don't dare believe it. When love becomes entangled with interests, what eternal devotion can there be?"
Her lips quivered slightly. "Then... are you the same?"Jiang Xueting gazed at her, the lamplight from the shade casting shadows on his face. His eyes remained clear and gentle, yet the trace of weariness and vicissitude between his brows was unmistakable. He gave a self-mocking smile, "You're right, that's exactly how I am! The person you loved is now just like this."
She slowly withdrew her gaze, quietly turning her head toward the interior. The patterns of the bed curtain seemed to ripple before her eyes. Though the curtain appeared hazy, she could still clearly discern the night outside the window—inky black, as if veiled in gray. Lying on the pillow, she wept silently, tears scattering like beads and dampening the pillowcase. His voice came through, clear and distinct, "Pingjun, I've made up my mind. This is our child. His surname will be Jiang."
A few days later, Pingjun had improved somewhat. With her large belly, movement was quite inconvenient, and she generally stayed indoors. One day, Dr. Xie came to examine her. As he prepared to leave, placing his stethoscope in his medical bag, he said to Ye Pingjun with a smile, "It's not good for you to stay cooped up like this, Madam. When I arrived, I noticed the White Jade Hairpin flowers in the garden are in full bloom. When you have time, you should go see them—consider it a way to relax."
Pingjun, leaning against the bed, replied quietly, "I don't have the heart for it."
Dr. Xie nodded slightly and smiled, "Breathing fresh air and smelling the flowers is very good for the fetus." Catching the look in Dr. Xie's eyes, Pingjun paused briefly, then said to Ruixiang beside her, "Then go pick a bunch for me."
Ruixiang smiled, "I'll go in a moment."
Pingjun turned her head, "I want it now."
Ruixiang, having encountered such a rebuff, understood that Pingjun knew she was there to monitor her. Not daring to disobey Ye Pingjun, she nodded again and went out. As soon as Ruixiang left, Pingjun slowly rose, supporting herself on the chair, and said, "Dr. Xie."
Xie Zhaohua, aware that time was short, spoke only the most urgent words: "Miss Ye, I sent a telegram to Yu Changxuan in Golden Mausoleum yesterday!" Upon hearing this, Pingjun felt an indescribable mix of emotions, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes. "So, he'll soon know I'm here?"
Xie Zhaohua replied, "I've clearly explained the situation here to Yu Changxuan. I believe we'll receive a response soon. Please endure a little longer, Miss Ye, and don't be afraid."
Her tears fell incessantly, a myriad of feelings twisting in her heart. For a long moment, she couldn't speak, her lips trembling uncontrollably. Xie Zhaohua looked at her and gently comforted, "Miss Ye, there's no need to grieve. Trust that heaven never seals off all exits. It's crucial to take good care of your health."
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