Luck Reliant Beauty – CH 128

Chapter 128: Despair

After returning to the house, Jiang Mi sat blankly in front of the mirror, trembling uncontrollably.

The Three Mothers stood behind her. Mother Gong tried to speak several times, but Mother Gui stopped her each time, while Mother Li’s gaze towards Jiang Mi showed disapproval.

Jiang Mi was cold, truly cold.

After an unknown amount of time, she said in a low, trembling voice, “You all go out.”

The Three Mothers exchanged glances and finally obediently withdrew, considerately closing the door behind them.

As soon as the others retreated, Jiang Mi immediately ran to a corner and curled up. She shivered uncontrollably from the cold. She put her fingers in her mouth and sucked on them, only to find her eyes dry, without a single tear!

Jiang Mi hid there for most of the day. The Three Mothers knew it was useless to try to persuade her now, so they stopped the servants outside and left her undisturbed.

After half a day, Jiang Mi slowly recovered somewhat. She leaned against the wall and shakily stood up. Seeing her reflection in the bronze mirror, her face still looked terrible. She patted her face with both hands, and finally, it became a little rosier. Jiang Mi then slowly began to comb her hair.

She combed her hair and changed her clothes, every movement incredibly slow. Finally, through these movements, Jiang Mi felt she could speak like a normal person.

Jiang Mi pushed open the door.

Seeing her walk out with a normal expression, the Three Mothers simultaneously showed expressions of joy and satisfaction.

Jiang Mi descended the steps. As she passed the Three Mothers, she did not look at them with her usual dependent gaze but instead whispered, “You stay here; I will just wander around.”

With that, Jiang Mi slowly entered the tree-lined path.

Sure enough, after a short while, she saw Cui Ziying approaching from a side path.

“Ziying!” Jiang Mi’s voice was a little hoarse, somewhat weak. As Cui Ziying turned around impatiently, Jiang Mi slowly walked up to her.

Jiang Mi stared wide-eyed at Cui Ziying, her voice hoarse as she asked, “Ziying, do you know when Cui Zi Xuan will be back?”

Cui Ziying looked her up and down, then said irritably, “Why do you need to ask me when your own husband will be back?”

Jiang Mi was speechless.

Seeing Cui Ziying turn to leave impatiently, Jiang Mi raised her voice and called out again, “Ziying.”

After calling out to Cui Ziying, Jiang Mi remained silent. Just as Cui Ziying looked on impatiently, Jiang Mi stammered, “I just met a woman on the street… a concubine’s daughter of the Wang Clan of Taiyuan…” Her words trailed off, and seeing Cui Ziying’s growing impatience, Jiang Mi bit her lower lip and asked softly, “She said that Young Master Cui’s getting married in three months…”

Cui Ziying finally understood what she meant. Indeed. This woman, always so vibrant, gentle, and cheerful, was rarely seen so vulnerable. She had initially thought the woman was worried about her husband, but it turned out to be something else entirely.

At that moment, Cui Ziying gave a mocking smile. She nodded. “Yes. My Cui Clan of Boling has always been allied with the other six clans of The Five Noble Houses and Seven Surnames through marriage. My Elder Brother’s original fiancée was the legitimate daughter of the Wang Clan of Taiyuan.”

Seeing Jiang Mi staring blankly at her with her large, misty eyes, Cui Ziying chuckled maliciously, “What? You do not understand? It’s like this. Now, my Elder Brother’s the most outstanding genius in The Five Noble Houses and Seven Surnames, and the other six clans have married their illegitimate daughters to him as concubines. That was the result of everyone’s joint discussion.” Seeing Jiang Mi’s pale face, she chuckled again, “Those women may only be illegitimate daughters, but it depends on whose illegitimate daughter they are, isn’t it? Being subordinate to a wife like you, even their clans felt utterly humiliated. The Clan originally intended to marry all six of their daughters to Elder Brother as equal wives, but Elder Brother, valuing you highly, resolutely refused. After much arguing, everyone had to compromise and let them become his concubines.”

Cui Ziying continued speaking with a laugh, her words rapid and punctuated by giggles, but Jiang Mi could no longer understand her.

Seeing Jiang Mi’s pale face, Cui Ziying stopped talking. She frowned, staring sternly at Jiang Mi, and warned, “What, you’re still unwilling? Jiang, think about what makes you likable? Do you have a powerful family background? Or wealth? Or some extraordinary ability that forces people to look at you with respect? You were originally just a penniless orphan from the countryside, even your title of Princess was casually bestowed upon you by the Shu State Emperor. If it were not for Elder Brother’s intervention several times, you would not even have been able to keep that pseudo Princess title. A docile girl like you, who can only hide under someone else’s wing, is already incredibly lucky to have married Elder Brother. What, do you want to monopolize him?”

Cui Ziying’s words were like knives, and strangely enough, despite their harshness, each word pierced Jiang Mi’s ears and etched into her heart!

As Jiang Mi retreated step by step, her face pale, Cui Ziying, continuing her sarcastic tone, said, “Honestly, you really do not have any redeeming qualities. If I had to name one, it’s that you’re lucky enough to have caught my elder brother’s eye.””

Cui Ziying, chin held high, finished speaking haughtily, then impatiently added, “Anyway, Lady Jiang, it’s important to know your place. You’d better understand your place before you start criticizing, otherwise you will just become a laughingstock!”

With that, Cui Ziying flicked her sleeve and turned to leave.

A short while later, Cui Ziying arrived at Old Madam Cui’s room. While massaging her grandmother’s legs, Cui Ziying giggled and recounted her encounter with Jiang Mi, saying, “I do not know what that woman’s thinking. She’s been married to my Elder Brother as his principal wife by some stroke of good fortune, yet she’s still greedy and insatiable, even interfering with my Elder Brother’s desire to take a concubine!”

Ever since the news of Cui Zi Xuan’s great victory arrived, Old Madam Cui had been in a good mood. She smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying her granddaughter’s care, casually remarking, “She’s become arrogant because she’s been spoiled. Grandma told your Elder Brother long ago not to indulge Lady Jiang so much!”

Cui Ziying snorted and said crisply, “If it were not for those secret recipes her mother passed down to her and her Lucky Star rumors, Elder Brother would not marry her either. What is she? So ungrateful!”

Old Madam Cui, seeing her words becoming increasingly harsh, glared at her. Cui Ziying immediately shut her mouth and smiled obediently.

Old Madam Cui looked away and sighed softly, “Just three months into their marriage, the husband wants to take another noblewoman. Six at once! Indeed, the Cui family is in the wrong. But in this chaotic world, one must compromise. The Cui Clan of Boling agreed to Xuan’er’s request to marry her with the rites due to a principal wife—that was compromise. Now, less than three months into their marriage, he will take another—that’s also compromise.”

Jiang Mi, of course, was unaware of the conversation between Cui Ziying and Old Madam Cui. Disheartened, she returned to her room.

Upon entering the room, she hid on the bed. After pulling down the bed curtains, Jiang Mi buried herself in the covers and curled up into a ball.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. The Three Mothers entered.

Looking at the low-hanging curtains of the bed, the Three Mothers exchanged glances. Mother Li was the first to approach the bed.

She looked into the bed curtains and softly called out, “Princess, are you crying?”

Jiang Mi did not answer.

After a slight pause, Mother Li sighed softly and said, “Princess, families like the Cui Clan of Boling place great importance on rules and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Now that you’re the principal wife, why bother with how many concubines Young Master Cui may take?”

Still no sound came from inside the bed.

Mother Gui also stepped forward, and she too sighed. She said, “This old servant always thought Her Imperial Highness’s way of teaching her daughter was wrong. Her Imperial Highness was lucky; she found a husband who’s devoted to her and would give his life for her. She always thought her daughter could marry a husband who’s equally devoted…”

Mother Gong coughed, interrupting Mother Gui. She turned to look into the bed curtains and said sternly, “Princess, just remember one thing: as long as a man cares for you, that’s more important than anything else! You’re now the principal wife, and your master dotes on you like a precious jewel. What does it matter if those concubines have the most prestigious families?”

Jiang Mi’s voice came from behind the bed curtains. Her voice was terribly hoarse. She said urgently, “Get out! Get out!”

The Three Mothers exchanged glances, finally sighed, and withdrew.

Night fell in the blink of an eye.

Ever since hearing that Cui Zi Xuan would be returning that evening, Jiang Mi had climbed off the couch. For nearly an hour, she had been touching up her makeup in front of the bronze mirror.

Her complexion was truly awful, so Jiang Mi applied and applied rouge again and again. She also carefully concealed the dark circles under her eyes.

The Three Mothers, hiding outside the door, nodded secretly upon seeing Jiang Mi like this: Women, even when they were most distressed, must appear magnanimous in front of men. It seems Princess had come to her senses.

Finally, hearing the commotion outside, Jiang Mi slowly stood up. Gazing at the flickering candlelight, she said in a low, hoarse voice, “Young Master Cui’s back?”

Mother Li immediately replied from outside, “Yes, Princess, Master Cui’s back. He’s already in his study and is alone.” Being newlyweds, Master Cui would hold the Princess tenderly for a while, and the Princess would forget all her unpleasantness from the day!

Jiang Mi responded with a soft “I will go see him.”

With that, Jiang Mi pushed open the door.

After once again refusing to let the Three Mothers follow, Jiang Mi’s steps were light and unsteady. Seeing her frail appearance in the moonlight, the Three Mothers sighed with pity.

Cui Zi Xuan had been back for two hours.

Having just met with the elders of the Clan and had a meal with his grandmother, he returned to his study because his wound had reopened.

Head bowed, watching the guards wrap bandages around his wound again and again, Cui Zi Xuan asked with a smile, “Where’s the young mistress? I’ve been gone these past few days. How has she been?”

Just as the maid was about to answer, Jiang Mi’s voice came from outside, “Young Master Cui, may I come in?”

The wound had just been bandaged. Cui Zi Xuan adjusted his outer robe, smiled, waved away the others, and cheerfully said towards the door, “It’s Ah’Mi! Come in.”

As Jiang Mi pushed open the door, he chuckled again, “Why do you not call me Ah’Lang anymore but ‘Young Master Cui’? So distant?”

Jiang Mi did not answer.

Jiang Mi, head bowed, moved slowly towards Cui Zi Xuan.

They were so close, only a few steps apart, yet her steps felt like a thousand pounds, her throat so tight she could hardly breathe!

Slowly, Jiang Mi approached Cui Zi Xuan and knelt beside him.

Cui Zi Xuan was reading an urgent report. Sensing Jiang Mi’s approach, he reached out and stroked her hair with his left hand.

Countless times before, they had acted like this, and Jiang Mi had never felt anything was wrong. But now she finally understood: their positions had never been equal from the start, even though he had married her! Even though he cherished her dearly!

Indeed, how could a marriage bestowed upon someone by good fortune possibly earn their wholehearted love?

Jiang Mi lowered her head, staring blankly at their intertwined shadows on the floor.

Cui Zi Xuan quickly flipped through the urgent report, set it aside, and looked down at Jiang Mi, saying, “Why’s it so quiet today?” Then, he gently asked, “Were you frightened?”

Jiang Mi nodded and then shook her head. She slowly pressed her face against his knee, tightly hugging his thighs. In a hoarse voice, with all her might, she whispered, “Young Master Cui, I heard them say you’re going to take a concubine?”

Her voice was so soft that Cui Zi Xuan, with his exceptional hearing, would not have been able to hear her at all. Even this weak voice came with all of Jiang Mi’s strength!

The large hand on Jiang Mi’s head froze!

A moment later, Cui Zi Xuan’s gentle voice came, “Do not think so much… I will protect you!”

Seeing Jiang Mi cower on the ground, Cui Zi Xuan’s voice was filled with boundless tenderness and affection: “The Cui Clan of Boling values ​​status above all else. Even if their family background surpasses yours, once they enter this Mansion, you’re still the master. I’ve said it before, I will protect you and pamper you, and that promise will always stand!”

Jiang Mi curled up into a ball.

Because she was curled up backward, Jiang Mi was now completely hidden in the shadows. In the darkness, Jiang Mi’s small voice came, “Can we…can we just not accept it?”

Cui Zi Xuan chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Jiang Mi’s hair, saying, “Such childish talk! At this point, if The Five Noble Houses and Seven Surnames do not join forces, they will truly be doomed!” He then added, “Alright, do not worry about these little things anymore. Just remember one thing: I will take care of everything. You just need to be happy being my wife and bearing my children.”

“This was no small matter!” A voice screamed and roared within Jiang Mi, “This was no small matter!”

Strangely enough, even though she could not breathe, even though a metallic taste was rising from her throat, Jiang Mi could still stand up and smile gently at him. Cui Zi Xuan said goodbye.

As she turned to leave the study, Jiang Mi’s legs buckled and she nearly tripped, but she quickly stood up again.

Stumbling into the darkness, Jiang Mi recalled a scene from her childhood: In the house in Southern Chu’s Wu City, her mother sat in the courtyard, admiring the flowers, gently stroking Jiang Mi’s head. Her mother’s words from that time remained vivid in her mind: “My daughter’s so lucky. She can live a carefree life, just waiting to enjoy the good life.”

Jiang Mi stared blankly into the darkness, thinking, “My mother always told me this, but she was wrong!”

Yes, she was wrong!

The happiness Jiang Mi wanted was not just about being well fed and clothed in this chaotic world or being safe from harm. What she always wanted was the kind of love between her mother and stepfather—two people who loved each other, supporting each other through thick and thin, never leaving each other’s side!

That was a woman’s happiness!

Mother was wrong. She always said that good fortune and luck could bring everything, but if her fortune was this good, she could not bear it! She really could not bear it!

She loved Cui Zi Xuan, and now, just thinking about the other women between them, about how she and those women sharing her husband, her lover, would have to live together for many more years, sent a suffocating pain through her chest. She’d rather die right now!

In the darkness, Jiang Mi’s steps quickened and intensified…