Subduing the enemy without fighting

Recently, the weather has been unpredictable, alternating between cold and warm. Madam Xu, having been angered not long ago, had her ire trapped within, unable to release it. One morning, she suddenly felt unwell, prompting the servants to hurry and summon Doctor Hu.

Upon receiving the news, Xu Guiyi rushed to Rui Residence Hall. She waited for Doctor Hu to finish the diagnosis and write a prescription, then personally oversaw the maid brewing the decoction, watching as Madam Xu drank it down. Only then did Xu Guiyi feel a measure of relief.

Her grandmother, advanced in years, had already retired to a secluded wing. This time, the troubles caused by the grandchildren had stirred her anger, unsettling her mind and leaving her ill. Xu Guiyi felt a deep sense of guilt; it was, after all, their lack of filial piety that disturbed her grandmother’s peace.

After Madam Xu drank the medicine, Doctor Hu advised that she must rest, so Xu Guiyi and the others quietly withdrew from Rui Residence Hall.

Waiting at the door, Xiyue stepped forward, taking her mistress’s hand. They walked a bit further, and when everyone else had returned to their own courtyards, she whispered, “Miss, someone from the western gatehouse just reported that Third Young Master Ren sent another letter. This is the fifth time now.”

Third Young Master Ren—Ren Duyu—was indeed a fickle “gentleman.” She recalled his first letter, which had ended with the words, “Fair lady, gentleman seeks a match.”

Xu Guiyi’s smile remained calm. “Let him be. We’ll treat it as a stranger’s correspondence and ignore it.”

“Yes, I will remember,” Xiyue replied.

Having finished this topic, Xiyue thought of something more pressing. “Miss, is Madam’s health improving? Doctor Hu seemed to stay in Rui Residence Hall for quite some time today. Is it not good?”

“My grandmother’s health has been poor these past two years, always relapsing. But Doctor Hu’s skill is superb, so we needn’t worry too much. After drinking the medicine, Grandmother felt rather spirited and spoke with us for a while,” Xu Guiyi answered calmly.

Xiyue’s tone grew lighter. “I’ve heard from the older servants that Madam was always broad-minded. It’s just that recently, she was truly… infuriated, which caused…”

At this, Xiyue’s voice grew low.

“That’s why Grandmother, fearing I’d be depressed, told us many amusing tales from the past, and said that once the weather truly warms, she would take us to stay at Redleaf Temple on the outskirts for a while. The azaleas there bloom splendidly in spring, well worth seeing.” Remembering Madam Xu’s words, Xu Guiyi’s smile softened.

“Old Madam always loves you, and Second Master and Second Madam love you as well,” Xiyue said, genuinely happy for her mistress.

“Yes, Grandmother, Father, and Mother are all wonderful elders,” Xu Guiyi acknowledged.

Entering the room, Xu Guiyi sat down casually. Her gaze swept across the table and landed on the embroidered silk, patterned with mandarin ducks. She couldn’t help but find it amusing. “What day is it today?”

Xiyue, busy pouring tea, wasn’t sure why her mistress suddenly asked about the date, but thought for a moment before answering, “Today is the twenty-eighth of March. Miss, do you have something to attend to?”

Xu Guiyi accepted the teacup and smiled, “Nothing in particular, just asking.”

Today was the twenty-eighth of March.

In five days, Xu Zhuhua would marry into the Ren family, as a concubine.

Xu Yan had spared her physical suffering, but this wedding was the greatest humiliation and punishment for her and the entire third branch.

The grander the ceremony, the deeper the disgrace.

On the fourth day, the eve of the wedding,

Xu Guiyi dressed meticulously and arrived at Huahua Courtyard to deliver her wedding gift to Xu Zhuhua.

She wore a lotus pink exquisite brocade, with a gold phoenix hairpin adorned with crimson jade and pearl tassels. Her skin was fair, her hair glossy, and the golden hairpin enhanced her reputation as the most beautiful woman in Jiangdong.

“Fourth Sister, are you here? I’ve come to bring you a wedding gift.” Her voice floated gently from the doorway into Xu Zhuhua’s ears. Xu Zhuhua was trying on her wedding attire with her maid. Hearing the voice, her expression twisted with disgust, but the maid gently pressed her wrist, forcing her to restrain her feelings.

“Third Sister, what brings you here?” Xu Zhuhua barely managed to squeeze out a smile.

Xu Guiyi, seeing her discomfort, smiled even more brightly. “I’m here to bring Fourth Sister a wedding gift and wish you happiness with your chosen one.” With that, she handed the ornate box directly to Xu Zhuhua.

Under Xu Guiyi’s gaze, Xu Zhuhua slowly opened the box, revealing a collection of gold and jade ornaments—precious in material, but ordinary in style.

Xu Guiyi’s intentions were clear, and Xu Zhuhua surely understood them. Her lips curled slightly, eyes arching as she said, “Thank you, Third Sister.” Yet her gaze was cold as ice.

“We’re sisters; there’s no need for thanks. Oh, and today I have another item for you,” Xu Guiyi added, prompting Xu Zhuhua’s confusion.

Xu Guiyi gently removed the gold phoenix hairpin with crimson jade and pearl tassels from her hair, holding it out to Xu Zhuhua. “You mentioned before that you liked this hairpin. At the time, I had just received it and was quite enamored with it. Now, as time has passed and your wedding approaches, I’ve decided, despite my reluctance, to give it to you as part of your bridal dowry. I hope you won’t dislike it.” As she spoke, she placed the hairpin into Xu Zhuhua’s box, ignoring the pallor on Xu Zhuhua’s face and laughing freely.

Seeing Xu Zhuhua trembling, the maid quickly stepped forward to steady her.

Xu Guiyi noticed and said with concern, “Fourth Sister, why are you so pale? You’re with child; you must be careful in all things. Wuwan, go fetch Doctor Hu at once.” She emphasized the words “with child.”

“Third Sister, you exaggerate. It’s just that I’ve been busy with wedding preparations and forgot to drink my tonic, so my complexion is poor. I’ll have Wuwan bring some from the kitchen soon,” Xu Zhuhua answered with indifference.

“That’s good. I suppose I worry too much,” Xu Guiyi smiled gently, glancing around the room, which was already decorated festively. The table was piled high with gifts from various branches and families.

“Since you’re busy, I won’t delay you further. I’ll take my leave,” Xu Guiyi said, returning to her usual gentle demeanor.

Xu Zhuhua gave a slight bow in farewell.

At the west corner gate of the Xu residence, Xu Xiwei and Xu Luowei seemed to be waiting for someone. Seeing Xu Guiyi return, they hurried forward, “Third Sister, where have you been?”

Xu Guiyi smiled, “I just went to Fourth Sister’s courtyard to deliver a wedding gift.”

Xu Luowei, dissatisfied, exclaimed, “Sister, after all she’s done to you, why give her anything? Old Madam has already said that tomorrow we only need to be in the inner hall, not the front hall for the guests, and we don’t need to accompany the bridal procession.”

Looking at her straightforward and passionate younger sister, Xu Guiyi felt both comforted and a little worried. “Though she’s behaved disgracefully, we mustn’t lose our own dignity. Remember, she is herself, we are ourselves; don’t compare us.”

Xu Luowei, still young, couldn’t quite understand, replying coldly, “I’ll remember, Third Sister.”

Xu Xiwei, gentle by nature and almost excessively quiet, sensed the tense atmosphere and tried to lighten it. “Third Sister, what did you give as a wedding gift this time?”

As soon as she spoke, Xu Luowei looked over curiously. Xu Guiyi pulled both girls, one on each side, and walked toward her own courtyard. “Nothing special, just some gold and jade ornaments—ordinary things.” As she finished, Xiyue came forward, bowing respectfully, “Greetings, Misses.”

Xu Xiwei nodded softly, while Xu Luowei exclaimed, “Sister Xiyue, did you make peach blossom cakes today? They’re my favorite!”

Xiyue replied with a smile, “Just so, today’s peach blossom cakes have just come out of the oven. Seventh Miss, you’ve arrived at the perfect time.”

“Really? I smelled a faint scent of peach blossoms just now,” Xu Luowei said, and Xu Guiyi tapped her head, teasing, “You little glutton.”

Xu Luowei made a funny face, delighting everyone. Suddenly, Xiyue stared at Xu Guiyi’s hair, surprised. “Oh, Miss, where is the gold phoenix hairpin with crimson jade tassels you wore when you went out? Did you lose it? I’ll go look for it.” The hairpin was exquisitely crafted and valuable.

“No need. It wasn’t lost—I gave it to Fourth Miss,” Xu Guiyi quickly stopped Xiyue.

Hearing this, Xu Luowei’s joy at the prospect of peach blossom cake vanished. She asked, agitated, “Sister, why give her such a precious hairpin? It’s your favorite! Why let her have it?”

Xu Xiwei reached out to calm her, “Little Seven, it’s just a hairpin. Third Sister must have her reasons; don’t shout and lose your manners.”

Xu Guiyi gave Xu Luowei a cold glance and turned toward the room, “Let’s talk inside.”

Once inside, Xu Guiyi recounted in detail what had happened at Huahua Courtyard, and their expressions relaxed.

“If only I’d gone with you, I’d love to have seen her trembling with rage,” Xu Luowei said bitterly.

“So, Third Sister’s move was to defeat her without a fight,” Xu Xiwei commented softly.

Xu Guiyi nodded with satisfaction. The two little sisters weren’t so foolish after all.

“Remember, not all matters can be resolved head-on. Sometimes, a different approach achieves better results—do you understand?”

Xu Luowei hesitated, thinking for a moment before saying, “But Sister, aren’t you angry? If not for them, you would be marrying into the Ren family tomorrow.” After all, Ren Duyu was handsome, renowned in Jiangdong, and admired by many young ladies.

Xu Guiyi’s expression grew serious. “For a woman, a man is not the most important thing. Caring for yourself and your family is what matters most. We may be confined to the inner chambers, but we must distinguish right from wrong and bear no confusion in our loyalties. Losing a marriage is nothing to regret. If I have no fate with Third Young Master Ren, perhaps it is a blessing for both him and me.”

Xu Luowei listened in awe, while Xu Xiwei smiled and added, “Sister is the first beauty of Jiangdong. If you lose Third Young Master Ren, you’ll surely meet someone better, who will treat you with utmost affection, love you for a lifetime, and never betray you.”

Yes, she sincerely wished her sister would meet a worthy man, to soar together like birds.

Little did she know, in the days to come, her sister would be trapped behind even higher walls, deep within locked doors—never free again, let alone soaring side by side.