The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 7
That sudden shout of “Second Wen” was loud and clear, unlike the previous indistinct murmurs. Nanny Fang was taken aback and looked up at the maid across from her. “Who is Second Wen?”
The maid looked just as confused. “Madam should be addressed as Eldest Young Lady Wen.”
“Oh, why is the new bribe making a fuss now? Who’s on night duty tonight…” Before they could make sense of anything, voices floated in from the corridor outside.
It sounded like Madam Wu, the Eldest Madam. Nanny Fang frowned and couldn’t help muttering, “What’s she doing sticking her nose in here?” She gave the maid beside her a meaningful look. “Go take a look.” Then she quietly crept closer, pressing her ear to the lattice door.
The maid hurried out, only to see Madam Wu already standing proudly in the courtyard with a crowd of maids and older servants in tow, making quite the scene.
Seeing the maid approach, Madam Wu raised a brow and glanced toward the brightly lit side room, looking deeply concerned. “This late at night, and the guests haven’t even left yet. Is the Eldest Young Lady Wen causing trouble?”
“It’s just a little fuss, Madam, it’ll pass in a while. No need to worry…”
“Just wait. First thing tomorrow morning, I’ll have someone send you back to the Wen family!” The groom’s voice cut through, clearly fuming. With that kind of tone, it definitely didn’t sound like just a little fuss. Madam Wu, pretending to be surprised, asked the maid, “Why is Third Young Master talking about sending his bride back already? The Old Madam is still bedridden, she can’t take this kind of shock.”
The maid thought to herself: Right, a wolf wishing a chicken Happy New Year, definitely not here to help.
Inside, Wen Shuse’s heart skipped a beat at hearing the groom say he’d send her back to the Wen family. She wasn’t scared of much, but she didn’t want to upset her grandmother. She glanced at her clearly furious husband, still completely confused, and asked softly, “What’s so scary about a dog anyway?”
Her pitying expression undoubtedly made him relive the humiliation of that day all over again.
And as if that wasn’t enough, she added innocently, “It really doesn’t bite, I swear…”
“Shut your mouth,” Xie Shao growled, his vision practically swimming with frustration. He couldn’t take it anymore. “Now I finally understand why your family’s Old Madam had to send you, the Second Miss Wen, in place of the Eldest Miss Wen. This isn’t just filling a role with a stand-in; it’s outright fraud. If they hadn’t done this, how would you ever have gotten married?”
What a vicious tongue.
His voice was loud and clear, reaching beyond the door. Nanny Fang heard it, and so did Madam Wu and her entourage of maids and older servants in the covered hallway. The place instantly fell into a stunned, dead silence.
This was serious.
The groom wasn’t the real groom, and the bride wasn’t even the real bride. The revelation was earth-shattering, almost impossible to believe.
“You’re so impressive yourself. How come you had to marry under someone else’s name…?
Inside, a fresh round of bickering had begun, while outside, the onlookers were still struggling to process the situation. Madam Wu glanced around at the wide-eyed maids and dramatically clutched her chest, taking two shaky steps back and gasping loudly, “Heavens above! Even the Eldest Young Lady Wen has been swapped? What are we supposed to do now?”
Madam Wu pretended to be on the verge of fainting, but her voice was booming, carrying clearly into the bridal chamber where the two parties involved could hear every word.
Inside, the two who had been just about to explode into another fight suddenly fell into silence.
Outside, Madam Wu grew even more agitated, barking at the servants, “What are you all standing around for? Hurry and inform the Old Madam at once! The Wen family’s really got some nerve, trying to pull this kind of bait-and-switch. Do they think they can just sneak someone else in and we won’t notice? Oh, poor Third Young Master, turns out he didn’t even marry the real Eldest Young Lady! This isn’t over. We’re going to the Wen family first thing to demand an explanation!”
The sarcasm was unmistakable.
They had brought this misfortune upon themselves, and now they were reaping what they sowed, perfectly justified, nothing to brood over. They could only endure it in silence.
Moments ago, the two of them had been spitting venom at each other, ready to rip one another apart. Now, they deflated like punctured balloons, standing there wordlessly, letting others mock them as they pleased.
Nearly half an hour passed. Madam Wu had already left, yet the room remained completely silent, so quiet that it felt unnatural. Nanny Fang’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly pushed the door open a crack. “Young Master?”
“Get out,” Xie Shao growled, his voice full of irritation.
Nanny Fang closed the door and let out a long, relieved breath. At least they were both still alive.
As for how to clean up this mess… even as an old servant with one foot in the grave, she’d never encountered such a thorny situation. This was far beyond her experience.
With such a huge commotion and Madam Wu’s venomous tongue ensuring swift retribution. The Old Madam would surely find out soon. All she could do now was stay close and keep watch…
—
Madam Wu’s words, laced with mockery, had been like a bucket of cold water, dousing whatever fire was left between the newlyweds. Neither of them had the heart to keep bickering.
What was done was done. There was no point digging into whose fault it was anymore. The only question now was, what to do next?
As the anger faded, Wen Shuse’s mood sank to the depths. She looked up and saw how the red wax from the bronze candle had begun to melt, pooling and dripping down the base like strings of tears. For some reason, it looked so sorrowful, almost as if even the candles were weeping for this disastrous marriage of hers.
By tomorrow morning, the entire Xie family would know that she wasn’t the Eldest Young Lady Wen, but the second. Xie family’s carefully laid plans had completely fallen through. Would they be furious and lash out in shame?
Thinking back on the solution she had suggested earlier, it clearly wouldn’t work either. Even if the Xie family quietly sent her back to the Wen family tonight, would the Eldest Young Lady Wen even want to marry Third Xie?
One reckless act had already brought this disaster, she couldn’t afford to scheme again.
She was truly out of options, but Third Xie wasn’t any better off. He came to the Wen family under his elder brother’s name to receive the bride, only to end up bowing at the altar next to her, in front of a hall full of sharp-eyed guests. The guests weren’t blind. If he dared to send her back untouched in a grand procession tomorrow, the Xie family might as well throw their reputation straight into the river.
Then again… they’d already swapped out the groom at the last second in front of all those guests. Maybe the Xie family didn’t care about reputation at all.
If the Xie family truly chose mutual destruction, the one to suffer most would still be her. Once rumors spread, who knew how they’d twist the story? They’d likely say she was shameless, throwing herself at a man who still didn’t want her…
She might even become the first bride in the history of Great Feng to be returned on her wedding night.
With her reputation in ruins, the hope of marrying again in this lifetime would vanish. Her grandmother, who only meant well, who had hoped to find her a husband who would cherish her, would be crushed by regret and sorrow. That kind of heartache, paired with guilt, might well be enough to kill her.
And then she thought of that familiar silhouette behind the parting door when she left. Her heart gave a sudden ache, and her eyes stung with an unbidden heat.
Maybe…
As the terrifying thought surfaced, Wen Shuse turned her head instinctively. After her earlier outburst, the one that could only be described as a bark, Xie Shao had already put some distance between them. He now stood amid the wreckage of the room, one hand on his hip, the other pressed to his forehead, exasperated.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, he turned slightly, meeting her eyes with an expression that could curdle milk, unfriendly didn’t begin to cover it. The urge to snipe at him again bubbled up in her chest.
But when it came to looks…
She remembered the first thing she saw tonight was the right side of his face. Then, when he drew closer, she got a full view from the front. And now, he was angled to show his left side.
Strangely enough, there wasn’t a flaw to be found, no matter the angle. That face was flawless to an almost unreasonable degree. Broad shoulders, a tall frame, he even looked a good half-head taller than her own brother, Wen Huai.
As for his character…
Perhaps it was best not to discuss that.
The only thing truly commendable about him was that face of his.
As fate would have it, the very same thought had crossed Xie Shao’s mind on the opposite side.
After all the chaos, the tassels in front of Wen Shuse’s face had long been flung aside, now draped haphazardly over the phoenix crown. Her face, unmistakably that of a beauty, was laid bare in the lamplight. As the bride, her makeup tonight was nothing short of exquisite: willow-leaf brows, lips like ripe cherries. Unlike the usual delicate, slender-faced noblewomen, her features had a soft fullness to them, giving her a fresh, dewy radiance. A faint blush of peach-pink dusted her cheeks, while a subtle shimmer graced the corners of her eyes, though impossible to discern what blend of rouge had conjured such a hue, but the effect was radiant, captivating. Her eyes…
Was that an actual eye-roll she’d just thrown his way?
Forget it.
Xie Shao turned his head away.
If he truly had to marry her, then perhaps the only consolation would be that face of hers.
At this point, he’d run through a thousand escape routes in his mind, and yet it seemed only one path remained passable.
Swapping in another groom now? Out of the question.
The old madam had already wagered everything: her pride, her name, and even faked her own death just to force this union through. And as for the reason behind it… Xie Shao knew all too well.
No more than a wish for him to marry a virtuous wife, someone who could help him hold the family together, who’d share a harmonious life with him, with love between husband and wife, and peace within the home.
By now, the Eldest Madam must’ve already gone to see the old madam. And upon learning the Wen family had switched out the bride too, whether sick or not, she’d be furious enough to fall ill on the spot. She wasn’t wrong when she said her age couldn’t withstand this kind of turmoil.
It was all for his own good. To give her what she wanted… well, perhaps that wouldn’t be so bad.
With that thought in his heart, perhaps a glimmer of willingness to relent, his mouth, as always, refused to cooperate. He glanced sideways at the girl beside him and called out, “Hey.”
She looked over.
And he said, “Not that I deliberately poured cold water on you. You’re not getting married after this.”
Infuriating. Absolutely infuriating.
Was he deliberately trying to infuriate her?
Whatever moment of wavering Wen Shuse had felt earlier evaporated without a trace. Who cared what the rest of her life might look like? She was ready to burst like a porcupine with every quill raised, about to go off, when she suddenly heard him add, “How about… we make do with one another?”
He turned to face her squarely as if negotiating terms of a business deal. “Things have come to this, both our families are at fault. Rather than wasting effort digging up dirt on each other, why not shake hands and make peace? Turn a blunder into a blessing, let bygones be bygones. I’m willing to sacrifice myself. What about you? Are you willing to… make do?”
He spoke with surprising sincerity, echoing the very thought she’d had earlier before his infuriating comments had thoroughly derailed her goodwill.
Her grandmother had arranged this substitution in the hopes of securing her happiness. If she could actually manage to get along with this scoundrel before her… wouldn’t that set her grandmother’s mind at ease?
But how much courage would that take…?
The phrase “make do” was particularly apt. Spending a lifetime with a man like him… wasn’t that exactly what it meant?
Wen Shuse stood there silently for a long moment. Her eyes darted in every direction, but she gave no reply.
Xie Shao pressed, “Well?”
“Let me think on it a while longer.”
Xie Shao swept his sleeve dismissively and scoffed, “What’s there to think about? I haven’t even…”
She cut him off in time. “Don’t speak. Every time you open your mouth, we’re guaranteed to fall out tonight. This whole thing will fall apart tonight, and neither of us will come out of it well.”
Fair enough. Even he had the self-awareness to acknowledge that. “Alright, take your time,” Xie Shao said, dropping the matter. He plopped down on a nearby round stool, lifting the wine jug to pour himself cup after cup, each one disappearing straight down his throat.
It felt as if the night had dragged on to the third watch before she finally spoke.
“Let’s set some ground rules.”
Perfect, he had a few of his own.
In a show of gentlemanly courtesy, Xie Shao waved his hand magnanimously. “You first.”
Wen Shuse wasn’t the shy or delicate type, but after all, she was an unmarried girl. Some words were just hard to get out. Her tongue stumbled over them, “No… uh… no marital rites…”
Before she could finish, Xie Shao had already grasped her meaning, “Don’t worry. I’m not a beast. If I don’t like someone, I won’t lay a finger on them.”
The declaration made Wen Shuse reassess him slightly. Was he implying he could walk through a garden of flowers without brushing a single petal?
But, whatever. That wasn’t the point.
She continued, “In public, we’re husband and wife. In private, we…”
“Go our separate ways.” He’d been prepared to live in endless discord with this Second Miss Wen for the rest of his life, but now… this wasn’t half bad. Their rules aligned surprisingly well.
Wen Shuse let out a slow breath, “And one last thing. I’ve never known hardship. I’ve lived in comfort since I was little. You can’t make me suffer with you in the future.”
This one didn’t quite match his list, but it wasn’t a deal-breaker either. Did she truly think he, Xie Shao, would let her starve? He agreed without hesitation, “Deal.”
A dead-end had, somehow, opened up into a side path. No time to wonder where it led or if it ended in a cliff. For now, it was enough that they’d found a way forward.
With the tension eased, Wen Shuse finally noticed the weight of the phoenix crown straining her neck. Her aunt and maids were absent, leaving her no choice but to remove it herself.
“I have one condition too,” Xie Shao suddenly said, just as he turned and happened to catch sight of her sleeve slipping down, revealing a pale, tender forearm that nearly blinded him. He averted his gaze with practiced indifference.
Wen Shuse narrowed her eyes, staring at the back of his neck. “What?”
“No more barking like a dog. Ever again.”
She blinked, baffled for a second. Was he still holding onto that? It was just a bark…
But then she noticed how his spine had stiffened visibly, tension coiling tight. After all the effort they’d just spent reaching a fragile truce, she figured it wasn’t worth another fight. So she nodded, “Fine.”
Barely had they come to an agreement when another commotion erupted outside.
“Second Young Lady!”
“Miss…!”
The Wen family’s servants had finally been released.
A reunion between mistress and maids would undoubtedly unleash a torrent of grievances all directed at him. Sticking around would only get awkward. Xie Shao stood and said, “I’ll head out first. Call me when you’re done changing. This room’s mine, not that I mean to be ungentlemanly, but I’ve got this… habit of being picky about where I sleep. Anywhere else would leave me restless. So, do me a favor and have someone lay a mattress on the floor. Anywhere’s fine. I don’t mind.”
Wen Shuse yanked at her phoenix crown a bit too hard and accidentally pulled out a few strands of hair. Her vision swam with stars.
Bang! The door swung open, and that man was already striding off, without a care.
Aunt Qing, Qiuying, and Xiangyun burst in. Xiangyun, the fastest, dropped to her knees with a thump in front of her mistress, anxiously scanning her from head to toe, crying, “Miss, did he hurt you? Did he touch you?”
Aunt Qing and Qiuying followed suit, both weeping. “This is our fault, young lady… We were useless!”
Wen Shuse said nothing at first. Only after the chaos in her chest had quieted did she turn to Xiangyun and calmly instruct, “Go to the mansion. Scrape the gold leaf off that bodhisattva for me.”