Chapter Forty-Five: Given to You?

“Dear sister-in-law!” The matriarch of the third branch, ever adaptable, softened her tone now, saying, “Since the fourth branch has received an invitation, shouldn’t the third branch be entitled to one as well? Why haven’t I seen you give me an invitation?”

Madam Xue simply wanted the third branch to see what they could not obtain.

She smiled and replied, “The main branch has always acted with fairness. Just yesterday the third branch gave the main branch so many things; now these two invitations go to the fourth branch—impartial and just. Sister, is there anything else you find unsatisfactory?”

“When did the main branch give us anything yesterday?” The matriarch of the third branch blurted out, only to freeze as she recalled the gold, silver, and fine silks that had been confiscated from Xue Jiaoyue’s rooms. Her conscience pricked her. After all, Xue Jiaoyue was of the main branch, and she had seized those things herself.

But hadn’t Madam Xue turned a blind eye to it at the time?

“How can you possibly equate the two?” the third branch matriarch protested anxiously, stamping her foot. How could invitations from the Xie family be compared to mere gold and silver!

But Madam Xue refused to engage further, sending her away on the pretext of fatigue.

The fourth branch, having benefited without lifting a finger, naturally agreed with everything Madam Xue said. The matriarch of the fourth branch led her granddaughters away.

The matriarch of the third branch, with nowhere to air her grievances, had to admit that the main branch’s generosity to the fourth was beyond reproach; and having taken goods from the main branch herself, she could hardly make a scene. Reluctantly, she withdrew as well, taking Fifth Lady with her.

Once everyone had left, Madam Xue prepared northern-style pastries for Xue Fanzhi to deliver to the Princess as a token of gratitude for the invitation, and also as a subtle message to Minglan or those behind her: as the family head, she was aware and had taken charge of the matter.

Minglan was out practicing martial arts with Xue Jingren. Observing how much she truly enjoyed it, Xue Fanzhi left the pastries for her and her elder brother and did not disturb them further, returning to her own room.

It was just about time for her midday rest. As she lay down, it occurred to her that she had not seen Xiao Yi, and she laughed at herself, thinking, “Am I still thinking about him?”

She gave her head a shake and made to recline.

Suddenly, the bamboo curtain clattered rudely aside—there was no courtesy in the sound.

Honglian and Hongxiao, who were just about to leave, became immediately alert. Honglian demanded, “Seventh Lady, what are you doing?”

Xue Fanzhi slowly sat up from her couch.

“When did you, a lowly servant, have the right to question your mistress?” Xue Jiaoyue pushed Honglian so hard she nearly fell, but Hongxiao caught her, and the two exchanged resentful glances at Xue Jiaoyue.

By then, Xue Jiaoyue had already approached Xue Fanzhi, extending a hand and demanding, “Where is the Xie family’s invitation? Give it to me!”

She was utterly brazen in her demand.

Xue Fanzhi pointed toward the door. “I’m tired and wish to sleep. Have you forgotten what it’s like to be beaten?”

Xue Jiaoyue recalled how the matriarch of the third branch had barged into her room. She had meant to complain to Xue Fanzhi, but with the old lady backing her, and with this wooden block of a girl suddenly growing cunning, she didn’t dare.

Xue Jiaoyue was sensible enough to recognize the situation. Seeing Xue Fanzhi’s impatience, she immediately dropped her overbearing tone and softened her voice. “We’re sisters, after all. You’ve always been so kind to me. What’s gotten into you? If you have an invitation, you should give it to me. Once I rise to greatness, do you think I’ll forget you?”

Xue Fanzhi didn’t bother listening. She was just about to show her out when she suddenly noticed the yin-yang fish pendant around Xue Jiaoyue’s neck—something only a Daoist would wear. But Xue Jiaoyue was no scholar.

“Where did you get that?” Xue Fanzhi demanded with uncharacteristic bluntness, a thought striking her.

Xue Jiaoyue hesitated, then smiled smugly. “My uncle gave it to me!”

“He gave it to you?” Xue Fanzhi’s voice was icy.

Xue Jiaoyue deliberately held it up for her to see, her tone sweet as honey. “Yes, Uncle sent someone especially to deliver it to me. Didn’t he send you a gift? Aren’t you his disciple? How come he didn’t send you anything at all? I thought Uncle was fond of you, but it turns out he only gave something to me!”

Xue Fanzhi regarded her in silence.

There was something in her gaze that Xue Jiaoyue couldn’t fathom, but she didn’t care. She became even more theatrical. “Do you like it, sister? Since we’re family, I should have given it to you, but Uncle specifically said it was for me, so I can’t just give it away, right?”

Suddenly, Xue Fanzhi lunged, grabbing the pendant and yanking hard. The fine cord snapped, and the pendant was wrenched from Xue Jiaoyue’s neck.

It happened so quickly that by the time Xue Jiaoyue realized what had occurred, her neck ached from the strain. She clutched at her throat, staring at Xue Fanzhi in disbelief. “You’re stealing from me?”

Xue Fanzhi clenched the pendant tightly in her fist, sneering. “This is mine.”

“That was a gift from my uncle!” Xue Jiaoyue exclaimed, reaching for it. But Xue Fanzhi raised her arm, bracing her elbow against Xue Jiaoyue’s chin and flipping her straight to the floor.

Xue Jiaoyue had learned only the delicate arts of a frail maiden; her diet was light and fastidious. Xue Fanzhi might have been mild-mannered, but she had never been picky with her food, and her straightforwardness didn’t mean she was passive. She had also studied Daoist health exercises. While they were little more than empty routines, they were more than enough to handle Xue Jiaoyue.

Xue Jiaoyue had no chance to fight back. Though her face was unmarked, her jaw felt as if it had been dislocated, and she struggled to form words.

She looked up in terror at Xue Fanzhi, mumbling through numb lips, “That’s my gift!”

In her past life, Xue Jiaoyue had been just the same—secretly taking her gifts from the Jin family. When Xue Fanzhi found out, Jiaoyue had forbidden her from telling their uncle, cajoling her, “Dear sister, it’s nothing rare. When I rise to glory, I’ll give you something even better. It’s not as if I took it to spite you. But really, why is uncle so partial, giving only to you and not to me?”

Xue Fanzhi had not cared for anything better, but she didn’t want to harm their sisterly bond or have Jiaoyue accuse their uncle of favoritism, so she had let it go.

Later, however, Xue Jiaoyue gave that very item to Xiao Jian. It turned out to be the token of the Daoist sect leader; when the yin and yang fish were reunited, they could summon an army—a matter of utmost importance.

Of course, their uncle hadn’t known. He only said he’d given a bowl of rice to an old man and received the item in return. Later, when he asked why she never wore his gift, Xue Fanzhi lied and said she’d lost it. He seemed saddened at the time.

After that, though he still gave her gifts, none were as heartfelt.

So, in this life, even had she no memories of the past, she should have awakened to the truth. This was clearly a gift from her uncle, and she could not let Xue Jiaoyue profit from it again.

“I am merely reclaiming what is rightfully mine!” Xue Fanzhi said, stepping on Xue Jiaoyue’s face. “You are neither uncle’s disciple nor a lover of Daoist teachings. Why would uncle give you a yin-yang fish?”

“Don’t think I’m unaware of your scheming with Madam, stealing my things behind my back. If you dare do it again, I’ll cut off your hand!”

Xue Jiaoyue saw the depthless calm in Xue Fanzhi’s eyes—utterly devoid of emotion—and was filled with fear, amplified by the pain in her neck and jaw.

“You’re mad, daring to strike your elder sister! Just you wait!” Xue Jiaoyue pushed her foot away, scrambled to her feet, and fled the room.