Chapter 093: Tonight, You Shall Be My Concubine

“Who is it out there?”

Xue Rui called out loudly, but received no answer.

He lifted the candlestick, opened the door, and looked outside, yet saw not a soul.

Looking down, he found a porcelain bowl shattered into several pieces at the doorway, with porridge spilled all over the ground.

“Damn it, someone must have heard what we were saying.”

Xue Rui inwardly cried out that this was bad. He hurriedly handed the candlestick to Susu and said anxiously, “Wait for me in the room. I’m going to look for whoever brought the porridge.”

He was so alarmed because he feared that the conversation had been overheard by a servant of the Hu household and might be passed along to the old master and young lady.

His family was staying under the Hu roof, and Hu Zhong had been as kind to the Xue family as a reborn benefactor.

Although Liu’s view of Hu Ying’er reflected the common standards of the present age, it still amounted to disdain for her humble background.

If the matter reached the ears of the grandfather and granddaughter of the Hu family, then the Xue family would be branded forever as ungrateful wretches.

After searching the surrounding area, Xue Rui still could not find anyone and had no choice but to rush to the kitchen.

There was still a light on there.

In its glow, the cook, Madam Wang, was washing pots and dishes.

When she suddenly saw Xue Rui come in, she was rather surprised and asked, “Young Master Xue, what brings you into the kitchen so late? Are you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry. Someone just brought me some porridge, but I didn’t see who it was. Does Aunt Wang know who it was?”

Xue Rui asked cautiously.

Madam Wang smiled. “This afternoon, Miss instructed me to make lotus seed sweet soup. Just now, she came over and had some sent to the master, your father, and the young master. For the last bowl, she said she would bring it to you herself and speak with you about something.”

“Hu Ying’er brought it herself?”

Xue Rui’s expression changed drastically. He had just been thinking about how to silence the Hu household servants; now, that problem had been solved entirely.

“Aunt Wang, you’ve worked hard. Please rest early. I’ll head back first.”

Forcing out a smile, Xue Rui quickly left the kitchen.

He did not return to where he was staying. Instead, he glanced toward the embroidered tower in the northeast corner. Seeing a faint light within, he simply turned and headed there, intending to apologize to Hu Ying’er.

The Hu residence’s embroidered tower had two stories: the lower floor was for receiving guests and everyday activity, while the upper floor was the young lady’s private chambers.

After Xue Rui knocked, he heard Jin’er say, “Please wait, Miss. I’ll open it right away.”

Creak—

The door opened. As candlelight fell upon Xue Rui’s face, Jin’er, candlestick in hand, froze for a moment, then glared at him angrily. “This is the young lady’s chambers. What are you doing here? Leave at once. If you don’t go, I’ll call for someone!”

With that, she slammed the door shut with a bang.

Jin’er’s words made it clear that Hu Ying’er had not yet returned to the embroidered tower. Xue Rui had no choice but to call out from outside, “Your young lady is missing. I’ve been looking everywhere for her. If you see her, you must keep an eye on her, understand?”

“What happened to my young lady?”

Once it concerned her mistress, Jin’er panicked at once. Not even stopping to consider whether Xue Rui might be deceiving her, she hurriedly opened the door.

“It’s just a small misunderstanding. I went to look for her at the master’s and your young master’s quarters, but I didn’t see any trace of her. I don’t know where she’s gone.”

“What are we supposed to do?”

Jin’er stamped her feet in anxiety. At this hour of the night, for the young lady not to return to the embroidered tower to rest, and not to be found even at the master’s and young master’s quarters, was far too unusual.

There was no use worrying now. Xue Rui could only comfort her. “Wait for her in the room. Maybe she’ll be back soon. She should be all right.”

Though he said this, he too was full of unease.

Hu Ying’er had too fiery a temperament. Hearing her mother dismiss her in such a manner would surely have dealt a heavy blow to her pride. If she could not think it through and did something desperate, he would not even know how to explain it to his grandfather.

After leaving the embroidered tower, Xue Rui focused on the more secluded areas and searched back and forth several times, but found nothing.

“Damn it, where on earth did she go? It’s such a small place—how can a person just vanish?”

Like a headless fly, Xue Rui wandered around in circles, searching through the front courtyard and inner residence over a dozen times, until he was panting from exhaustion.

It was already late autumn, and the weather was growing colder. After all that running, he was drenched in sweat from head to toe, even his undergarments soaked through.

By moonlight, Xue Rui searched the rear residence several more times. When he still could not find her, he was about to go and report the matter to Hu Zhong, hoping someone could be sent to help search.

On the way to Hu Zhong’s bedchamber, as he passed a patch of greenery beside a corridor pillar, a soft voice suddenly came from nearby: “Grandfather sleeps lightly and only just fell asleep. Don’t go disturb him.”

At the first sound of that voice, Xue Rui’s heart jolted. Then he reacted immediately. It was clearly Hu Ying’er’s voice, and he could not help but feel a surge of joy.

He peeked out toward the corridor, and sure enough, Hu Ying’er was leaning against the pillar, tilting her head to look at him.

This spot had a stand of greenery as tall as a man in front and a vermilion corridor pillar behind. Hidden there, one would be very hard to notice without looking carefully.

Xue Rui gave a wry smile. “Why were you hiding here? You made me search all over for you.”

“I’ve been standing right here. You’re the one with the blind eyes. Whom can you blame?”

Hu Ying’er no longer hid herself and stepped out from behind the pillar.

“Yes, yes, yes, it’s all my fault. If you want to blame me, I’ll take the beating and the punishment. All right?”

Xue Rui stepped forward and smiled apologetically with caution.

“Why should I punish you? It’s not your fault. If anyone should be punished, it should be the one who was in the wrong.”

Hu Ying’er’s tone was very calm, but Xue Rui felt that a volcano was smoldering within her, ready to erupt at any moment.

“This... then count it as my fault. Please be generous and don’t hold it against my mother, all right?”

Xue Rui lamented inwardly.

The meaning behind Hu Ying’er’s words was plain enough: she was unhappy with his mother. If he could not soothe her anger and she argued with his mother tomorrow, he truly would not know how to resolve the matter.

Yet Hu Ying’er’s answer was beyond his expectation. In a low voice, she said:

“Rest assured, I won’t quarrel with your mother. I was indeed very angry earlier—so angry I wanted to tell Grandfather that from now on, our Hu family should sever all ties with your Xue family.

“But later, seeing you rushing around like a fool, searching everywhere, I found it all very amusing. So I deliberately hid myself and let you search again and again, and my anger slowly faded.”

“Really?”

Hu Ying’er’s teasing him did not make Xue Rui angry. On the contrary, he felt somewhat relieved. It seemed that his wandering around in circles had not been entirely useless after all.

“Believe it or not, I’m going back now. You should rest early too.” Hu Ying’er straightened her skirt and started toward the embroidered tower.

“Then let me see you back.”

Xue Rui hurried after her. If he did not personally escort Hu Ying’er to the tower, he could not be at ease.

Neither of them spoke along the way.

When they reached the bamboo grove before the embroidered tower, Xue Rui suddenly said, “You heard it too: my mother’s attitude does not represent mine. I have not the slightest intention of looking down on you. If you are willing, I’ll go speak to my mother tomorrow and ask to marry you in the future!”

If what he had said in the study yesterday was a joke, then now he was opening his heart and stating his feelings plainly.

Hu Ying’er’s body stiffened at his words. After a moment, she shook her head. “I never intended to marry anyone in the first place. Whether you look down on me or not has nothing to do with it. Your mother was right. How could an orphaned daughter be worthy of you? You should still marry someone else... someone from a good family.”

Her tone sounded very calm, but the pause at the end of her sentence, along with the slight tremor in her voice, was enough to reveal the struggle within her heart.

How could Xue Rui not tell that she was speaking in anger? He said irritably, “Hu Ying’er, are you trying to use reverse tactics on me? Fine, I’ve fallen for it. Just wait—I’m going to speak to my mother and my grandfather right now. I’m determined to marry you into our family!”

Since they had met, the two had gotten along quite well.

To help him with his studies, Hu Ying’er had set aside the proper reserve expected of an unmarried young lady, appearing in public and often keeping him company alone in the study. By now, everyone in the household knew of it, and many servants were even gossiping that Hu Zhong intended to betroth Hu Ying’er to Xue Rui.

These rumors had done great harm to Hu Ying’er’s reputation.

When it came time to seek a husband for her, once others heard of this matter, nine out of ten would likely look down on her. It would be very difficult to find her a good match.

On this point alone, Xue Rui bore direct responsibility for her future.

Though they had known each other only a short time, the changes Xue Rui had undergone inside and out had already won Hu Ying’er’s admiration. With their frequent contact, their feelings were gradually warming. It was not yet love deeply rooted, but mutual affection had already taken hold.

Only today’s incident had come so suddenly. If they had been given a little more time to deepen their bond, then Hu Ying’er’s secret affection and Xue Rui’s deep devotion would naturally have come to fruition.

Moreover, Hu Ying’er had a kind heart. Though her temper was a little fierce, she was one of those who spoke sharply but carried a soft heart. She had truly been good to Xue Rui, and in some ways, not even Liu could compare.

Compared with the women he had dated before his transmigration, Hu Ying’er surpassed them all in both appearance and character. There was nothing wrong, in his view, with joining his life to hers.

Though Hu Ying’er said she was no longer angry, some knot still remained in her heart. She likely harbored resentment not only toward Liu, but perhaps also some sense of inferiority toward herself.

If this problem was not completely resolved, then Hu Ying’er’s resolve never to marry would only grow firmer. Would that not ruin her life?

To prevent such a thing from happening, Xue Rui chose to take responsibility for Hu Ying’er, which was the safest course.

Seeing that he truly meant to go, Hu Ying’er panicked and stamped her foot. “No, you mustn’t go. I won’t allow it!”

“Parental command and a matchmaker’s word—this is not up to you.”

Hearing Hu Ying’er’s footsteps behind him, Xue Rui only quickened his pace.

“No, don’t go. I won’t let you go...”

Unexpectedly, after only a few steps, his waist was suddenly wrapped by Hu Ying’er’s arms.

Xue Rui forcefully broke free, turned to look at Hu Ying’er, and said angrily, “Then will you marry me or not? If you’ll marry me, I won’t go. If you won’t, I will. In any case, whether you want to or not, you’re going to marry!”

“I understand what you mean. It’s enough for me that you don’t look down on me. Your mother already has a prejudice against me. If you rush to her now, she will surely think I’ve seduced you. If the misunderstanding deepens, she will only be more unwilling to agree. By then, I’ll truly have no way out.”

Hu Ying’er bit her lip and said resentfully.

“My mother should respect my wishes, shouldn’t she?”

When he said this, Xue Rui sounded somewhat uncertain.

He could not be absolutely sure that Liu would listen to him.

After all, in ancient times, matters of marriage and lifelong union were decided by one’s elders. To make private vows for life was a serious breach of propriety and morality, condemned by all. Even someone as bold as Xue Rui did not dare take such a risk lightly.

If his mother truly refused him and thereby misunderstood the relationship between the two of them, Hu Ying’er’s dignity would be utterly crushed. What face would she have left to go on living?

“Actually, I think it’s fine the way things are now. When you have time, we can keep one another company in our reading. When you’re busy, I can care for Grandfather and Brother as well. And staying in our own household, we needn’t mind your mother’s expression. Wouldn’t that be much happier?”

“This...”

Xue Rui was momentarily at a loss for words. After thinking for a long while, he finally sighed. “It is indeed not bad the way things are now. Still, don’t worry. There’s time yet. I’ll think of a way to persuade my mother. When the time comes, I’ll marry you in grand style.”

Hu Ying’er was just about to say something when a figure suddenly emerged beside the bamboo grove.

“Miss, you...”

It was Jin’er. Her eyes were wide, her face filled with disbelief.

Just now, she had been waiting for her mistress in the embroidered tower, but Hu Ying’er had not returned, and even Xue Rui had fallen silent. She was terribly worried.

While peering from the tower window, she had vaguely seen figures moving in the bamboo grove, looking very much like her young lady and Xue Rui.

Remembering how Xue Rui had earlier teased the young lady and even taken liberties with her, she could not remain at ease, so she had hurried down to see what was going on.

She had never imagined that the moment she showed herself, she would see Xue Rui holding her young lady’s hand. The two of them stood together so intimately, like a pair of young lovers.

That sight struck Jin’er so hard that she was stunned inside and out, her body even refusing to obey her, leaving her frozen on the spot.

“Hey, you little brat, spying on us being affectionate? Careful you don’t get a needle in your eye!”

Having been caught in the middle of a private moment, Xue Rui felt a little guilty as well, and could only take the initiative by scolding Jin’er first.

“I-I didn’t see anything!”

At that reminder, Jin’er suddenly came to herself and quickly turned around, covering her eyes.

Hearing Xue Rui spout such nonsense, Hu Ying’er was both羞 and angry. She fiercely pinched his palm, then withdrew her hand and hurried to Jin’er’s side, flusteredly explaining, “J-just now it was because it was too dark to see the path, so he was helping me. It wasn’t what you think...”

“Yes, yes, whatever the young lady says, I believe. I won’t say a word about it.”

Jin’er kept nodding toward the bright moon hanging high in the sky, wearing an expression that said she was blind.

“It’s all your fault!”

Hu Ying’er was in a complete turmoil. She glared fiercely at Xue Rui a couple of times, then could only grab her maid’s hand and flee in panic.

“Hah—”

Watching the two of them enter the embroidered tower, Xue Rui finally let out a long breath. With such a huge mess stirred up tonight, to have it end this way already counted as the best possible outcome.

Still, what troubled him now was whether his promise to Hu Ying’er could truly be fulfilled. That remained an unknown.

Back in the western wing, Susu was sitting at the table with her chin propped in her hand, waiting.

At the sound of movement, she rushed out and asked, “Young Master, how did it go? Who was eavesdropping outside?”

“It was Hu Ying’er. She came to bring me lotus seed sweet soup and accidentally overheard our conversation. This time, we’ve really offended her badly.”

“Ah, then what are we going to do?”

Susu’s face went white with fright. She naturally knew how deeply those words had hurt Hu Ying’er. If the two families were to fall out because of this, wouldn’t she become the sinner?

Xue Rui had no idea what to do either. He only felt utterly drained and lay down on the bed, not wanting to say another word.

“Young Master, how about I go and report this to Madam? We should think of a way to make amends, or something terrible may happen.”

Seeing that Xue Rui did not answer, Susu thought her young master had no idea himself, and turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, just as she turned around, Xue Rui suddenly pulled her back, stumbling, and she fell onto the bed.

“Today’s mess is all your fault. If you hadn’t kept talking to the young master about that nonsense of the five things not to marry, how could Hu Ying’er have gotten so angry? Didn’t you want to know how to become a concubine? Then today, young master I will teach you properly!”

With an angry snort, Xue Rui lifted the quilt and wrapped Susu inside it, the two of them tumbling into a tangled heap.

Soon after, a series of muffled cries of surprise rang out from the bedchamber.