Volume 1 Chapter 6: Hidden Scars

Meigong Xue deliberately applied light makeup before visiting her sister-in-law. She did not want to appear before her in such a haggard state.

The medicine her sister-in-law took contained sedative properties, so she was still asleep when Meigong Xue arrived. Three years had passed, and her sister-in-law's already delicate face was now frighteningly thin. Meigong Xue sat nearby, careful not to disturb her, but before long, the woman on the bed slowly opened her eyes.

"Xiaoxue, is that you?"

Despite being identical twins, Meigong Xue’s current appearance was recognizable at a glance. Meigong Xue’s eyes welled up instantly as she whispered, "It’s me, sister-in-law!"

Wen Ke smiled happily. She studied her for a moment before exclaiming in shock, "Why have you become so thin?"

"I’ve been dieting," Meigong Xue replied with a steady expression, "and I haven't been eating on time, so my stomach hasn't been well for the past two years."

Wen Ke looked at her skeptically, clearly unconvinced. "You cannot neglect your health just because you are young. I know a physician with excellent skills. Liu Yue, hurry and send someone to invite Dr. Zhou!"

Meigong Xue quickly stopped her. "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I am fine!"

A hint of sternness entered Wen Ke’s eyes. "At the very least, a professional doctor must diagnose you. Your health is your foundation; I still need to find you a good match in the future!"

Seeing her insistence, Meigong Xue pleaded, "Dear sister-in-law, I have some injuries on my body... I would rather not let a doctor see them!"

Wen Ke froze, seemingly understanding something, and tenderly stroked her cheek. "Very well, I won't force you. From now on, no one will ever be able to force you again!"

That single sentence made Meigong Xue’s nose ache, and tears spilled out uncontrollably. She couldn't stop crying; it was as if all the grievances of the past three years finally had a place to be released in the presence of family. It was ironic that her sister-in-law, the only person in the Mei family without a blood connection to her, had given her the most affection.

Ever since Meigong Xue returned to the Marquis’s estate at age ten, it had been her sister-in-law who cared for her. In truth, her sister-in-law was only ten years her senior, yet she was the only one, besides her father, who would indulge her whims. As a child, Meigong Xue often thought that if her own mother were still alive, she would surely be as gentle as her sister-in-law.

Three years ago, her father was framed, and the Marquis’s estate faced peril from both within and without. At the time, her sister-in-law had to stabilize the household while selling off assets to raise funds and pull strings to save her eldest brother from imprisonment. Because of the immense strain, she even suffered a miscarriage of the child she had struggled so hard to conceive.

That was why, back then, Meigong Xue dared not ask her sister-in-law for help; she had already sacrificed too much for the family. After the dust settled, her sister-in-law learned that Meigong Xue was to be married to a eunuch. She rushed over, before even finishing her recovery period, to ask what had happened. Meigong Xue could only comfort her, claiming it was her own choice. After all, the dowry from Zhao Zhang was a massive sum that could resolve the estate’s urgent crisis.

Meigong Xue cried for a long time before pulling herself out of the memories. Having composed herself, she helped her sister-in-law rise and wash.

Wen Ke took out a small box. "This belongs to you."

Inside, a peach blossom hairpin lay quietly in the silk-lined case. Its lustrous glow shimmered in the dim light; crafted from warm amber, the petals were as thin as cicada wings—archaic and elegant. Meigong Xue stared at it, lost in thought, as if she had returned to her coming-of-age ceremony when her father had personally pinned it into her hair. The hairpin had been crafted by the old Marquis himself, intended as a beautiful blessing for his two daughters upon their adulthood. Meigong Xue’s was a peach blossom, and Mei Xianghan’s was a plum blossom. It seemed as if all beautiful things had frozen in that moment.

"Thank you for keeping it for me, sister-in-law!" Meigong Xue’s fingertips brushed over it lightly.

"Let me put it on for you," Wen Ke said with a loving gaze.

"Alright," Meigong Xue smiled.

When Mei Yanjun and his siblings entered to pay their respects, they witnessed this very scene. Mei Xianghan instinctively adjusted the plum blossom hairpin in her own hair, though seeing the intimacy between Meigong Xue and their sister-in-law left her feeling conflicted. As the eldest sister-in-law was like a mother, the three siblings first greeted Wen Ke.

Once seated, Mei Yanjun said, "Sister-in-law, now that Xiaoxue is finally back and the family is reunited, there is an urgent matter I would like your opinion on!"

"What is it?"

"The marriage between A-Xiang and Yun Chu!"

Wen Ke froze, instinctively glancing toward Meigong Xue.

Mei Yanjun continued, "I believe you have noticed that Yun Chu’s attitude toward our estate has been cold these past few years, especially after he was appointed to his post and moved out. Our estate is not what it once was; we should take this marriage as an opportunity to secure him!"

Meigong Xue was not surprised by this news. When she looked across the room, she met Mei Xianghan’s gaze.

Mei Xianghan looked timid. The moment their eyes met, she immediately lowered her head and pitifully tugged at Mei Yanjun’s sleeve. "Second Brother, perhaps we should let this matter be."

Who in the Mei family didn't know that Meigong Xue had loved Ji Yunchu since she was a child? Mei Yanjun pulled Mei Xianghan behind him like a hen protecting its chicks, blocking Meigong Xue’s view, yet he kept a smile on his face. "Xiaoxue, Second Brother is only worried about friction between you and A-Xiang, so I am not keeping this from you. I want to settle this matter as soon as possible. You won't object, will you?"

Meigong Xue’s eyes stung. How she wished she were the one being protected. To say she didn't care at all would be a lie. They were now hypocritically asking for her consent, yet three years ago, no one had asked if she was willing. But as she saw Wen Ke’s gaze upon her, Meigong Xue softened her tone. "Rest assured, I fully support her marriage to Ji Yunchu."

No sooner had she finished speaking than someone walked through the door—it was Ji Yunchu himself. However, his expression was dark.

Mei Xianghan immediately rose with a smile. "Brother Yunchu..."

But the next moment, Ji Yunchu turned and walked away. Everyone looked at one another in confusion. Mei Xianghan blinked her large eyes, seemingly puzzled, assuming he was merely shy upon hearing of the marriage. Her cheeks flushed, and she turned to Meigong Xue. "Thank you, sister, for your blessing!"

She reached out to take Meigong Xue’s hand, but Meigong Xue recoiled as if electrocuted.

Mei Xianghan shrank back, her hands behind her back in distress, her voice clearly trembling with tears. "Sister, are you still unable to let go of Brother Yunchu? It’s alright, as long as you say so, I... I will..."

Mei Changgong, who had been quiet until now, grew angry. He snapped at Meigong Xue, "A-Xiang and Yun Chu love each other; there was no need to ask you in the first place. Second Brother was only considering your feelings. How could you be so spiteful toward happy lovers just because your own marriage was unfortunate?"

Even Wen Ke looked at her with concern. "Xiaoxue, the marriage hasn't been finalized yet; there is still room for change!"

Meigong Xue took a deep breath. Knowing the misunderstanding could not continue, she slowly rolled up her sleeve in front of everyone.

"You have misunderstood; it was only because Mei Xianghan hurt me just now!"

Her slender arm was revealed, the scabbed wound having split open. But most striking of all was the jagged scar across her wrist.