Volume One, Chapter 20: Apology

Still the same dream.

By the small window, she was dressing herself.

Yin Lingxiao stood beneath an oil-paper umbrella, pausing before that delicate silhouette framed by the window.

Then, he fell into an eerie silence.

He turned and began to walk away.

“Young master, where are you going?”

A captivating voice drifted faintly through the rain, like a veil of mist, causing Yin Lingxiao to halt abruptly.

It was a woman’s voice—not the rough man who had chased him all night. And this voice... it resembled that person’s!

In an instant, the restless irritation that had long tangled in his heart vanished as if dissipated by rising mist.

The voice drew nearer, suddenly sounding right behind him.

“Young master, my face is ruined; I can no longer wear rouge or powder. Tell me, do I still smell sweet?”

Yin Lingxiao’s heart pounded wildly. He did not question how she had appeared so suddenly.

His mind was filled with the memory of Miss Chun’er during the day, who had said almost the same words, just without the last sentence.

The tone was lingering, as if beckoning one’s very soul.

Yin Lingxiao’s handsome face flushed crimson. He was about to turn around when a foul stench suddenly reached his nostrils.

At the same time, the voice behind him shifted.

“Young master, smell for yourself. My corpse has long since stunk. How could I still smell sweet?”

He slowly turned his head—and was confronted by a rotten, ghostly face.

...

At midnight.

Yin Lingxiao awoke with a start from his dream.

The night was deep and silent; the dark, empty room seemed to harbor some unknown presence.

He sat up, dazed, yet did not hasten to light a candle.

Though the nightmare was terrifying, when he heard the ghost say her body had long since rotted, his heart inexplicably ached.

He closed his eyes; exhaustion and deep melancholy shadowed his face.

A sleepless night.

*

A day later, Fu Xiaolian finally stirred awake under careful care.

At breakfast, the family was unusually gathered together. Fu Heng solemnly revealed how she had framed Fu Chun’er.

Throughout, Fu Xiaolian kept pleading with her eyes, but Fu Heng remained unmoved, recounting every detail without omission.

The table fell into an awkward silence.

Fu Xiaolian nervously swallowed, her hands clenched tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably.

As expected, Lady Lin cast her disapproving gaze upon her. “Xiaolian, how could you act so?”

Fu Xiaolian immediately broke into tears, about to plead, but Lady Lin suddenly changed course.

“You’ve behaved most improperly. If this gets out, will the Fu family’s reputation survive? Fortunately, it was only a minor squabble at the academy—not something worthy of notice. In time, everyone will forget.”

Fu Xiaolian’s expression froze. Was Lady Lin no longer intending to press the matter?

Yet at that moment, Fu Father slammed his chopsticks down heavily. Startled, Fu Xiaolian trembled, pursing her lips to stifle a sob.

Unexpectedly, Fu Father’s stern gaze was not on her but on Fu Chun’er.

“Chun’er, your sister did wrong, but you shouldn’t have exposed her at the academy. Your mother is right: what will become of the Fu family’s reputation if this spreads? And you even wanted to press charges? Had Xiaolian not stopped you, would you have taken Father to court?”

Fu Chun’er’s expression remained calm, unmoved.

She had long understood that in Fu Father’s eyes, reputation was paramount. No matter how many grievances or pains lay beneath, as long as peace was maintained on the surface, he would turn a blind eye.

Yet when danger struck their own family, reputation was discarded without hesitation. They shamelessly threw her into Yin Lingxiao’s bed, only so that once she became Yin Lingxiao’s woman, she might then lend them a hand.

Such was the bond of father and daughter—no more.

The only one who truly cared for her in this household was her brother alone.

*

Lady Lin hurriedly poured tea for her husband to soothe his temper, then gently said, “Sisters quarrel often because they do not yet know each other well. In a few days, the madam of the Earl’s residence will host a polo match. The two of you should go together to foster your relationship—and to broaden your horizons. Don’t keep fighting over trivial matters.”

Fu Heng’s calm demeanor began to crack. He looked at his parents in disbelief, as if he had misheard.

Fu Xiaolian finally exhaled in relief, her heart swelling with secret joy.

If not for this incident, she never would have known that in her father’s heart, even a legitimate daughter was no better than her. In the Fu family, in terms of talent and appearance, how could Fu Chun’er compare to her? In her parents’ eyes, she was the true pride of the Fu family. How could they blame her so easily?

“Father, Mother, Xiaolian knows she was wrong,” she bit her lip and deliberately said, “Actually, I only thought that since my sister had just begun her studies, she shouldn’t push herself so hard. It would harm her health, and then she wouldn’t pass the academy exam next year. Xiaolian didn’t want my sister to stray and made a mistake in judgment…”

Fu Father remembered the upcoming academy exam. Their children—Fu Heng was already a student at the Imperial University and had attained some rank. Fu Xiaolian had studied at Bailu Academy for three years and had been expected by her tutor to pass the academy and even the provincial exams. As for Fu Chun’er… though diligent and praised by the tutor, she had just begun her studies. Once she passed the student exam, how would she still have a place before the Empress Dowager?

With this in mind, he looked gently at Fu Xiaolian.

“Xiaolian, how have your studies been lately? You are the child I trust the most. Remember to stay humble and steady. Next year, sweep through the county, prefecture, and academy exams, and bring me great honor!”

Seeing his attitude, Lady Lin smiled and echoed, “Xiaolian, your father means what I do…”

“Enough!”

Fu Heng suddenly interrupted.

Everyone turned to him in surprise. Fu Heng closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He had been pondering whether everything in the dream would truly come to pass. But now, seeing his parents’ seemingly fair yet biased words, and Fu Xiaolian’s endless malicious schemes, he realized clearly: this was no ordinary dream, but a future that would come true unless he intervened.

He turned to Fu Xiaolian, his expression grave.

“Right and wrong, I will not dispute your parents’ words. But you, Fu Xiaolian, apologize to your eldest sister immediately!”

Fu Xiaolian stared at her brother in shock. She could not believe that while Father and Lady Lin refused to defend their eldest daughter, her brother—who usually remained indifferent to family matters—demanded she apologize to Fu Chun’er, the sister recently returned from the countryside.

Her expression flared. “I am your elder sister. How dare you speak to me in such a tone?”

Fu Heng sneered coldly. “As the second daughter born of a concubine, how can you compare to the Fu family’s legitimate eldest son? Do you think I have no right to speak to you this way?”

Fu Heng never cared for distinctions of birth or rank to judge others—but this time, he was truly angry.