Chapter Forty-Six: The Dead Pig Fears Not Boiling Water

Honglian and Hongxiao had only witnessed their lady drive away her mother once, believing at the time that it was merely a bout of ill temper. But now, seeing her dare to strike someone, they realized she had truly changed. And this transformation was immensely satisfying.

Honglian, far from discouraging her, asked if her hand was hurt and whether she needed some ointment. Hongxiao was somewhat steadier, and voiced her concern, “My lady, is it really all right to resort to violence? What if Lady Qi refuses to let it go and complains to the family head and madam?”

Xue Fanzhi, now supported by the old lady and Xue Qiu, shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. After all, this isn’t the ancestral home; we’re on the grounds of Second Granduncle.” This was not the place where Xue Yang held sway.

But Hongxiao’s worries remained unsaid. Just then, Xue Jiaoyue returned with Madam Jin. Upon entering, Xue Jiaoyue clung to Madam Jin’s arm and wept, “Mother, my younger sister used to treat me best, but now she’s struck me!”

Xue Fanzhi met Madam Jin’s gaze with icy indifference—shouldn’t this mother know why her daughter was beaten? How dare she come here, feigning ignorance!

Madam Jin was no fool; she knew it was about the gifts. They were in the wrong, so facing Xue Fanzhi’s candid scrutiny made her feel guilty, yet she pressed on, “Whatever the matter, how could you be so disrespectful, striking your elder sister? Aren’t you worried such news will tarnish your reputation?”

Xue Jiaoyue sobbed, “Only because we’re sisters—no one outside will know. If it were someone else, your reputation would be ruined already!”

Madam Jin agreed, “Your sister won’t go around telling, but if she did, what future would you have? Admit your mistake and hand over the invitation, and you’ll be forgiven.”

The implication was clear: if she refused, they would spread the story.

It all came down to the invitation. Xue Fanzhi had already given all of them to the old lady—none remained in her hands. Even if she had one, she would never hand it to Xue Jiaoyue.

Unbothered, Xue Fanzhi reclined on the couch, drew the quilt over herself, closed her eyes, and said, “Do as you wish. Xue Jiaoyue drove the head’s favored maid to her death and emerged unscathed. Am I supposed to fear your threats? I’m already betrothed, and there are so many unmarried girls in the Xue family. If you want to spread rumors, go ahead!”

That was it. Xue Jiaoyue suddenly remembered: she had committed grave wrongs, yet feared no repercussions, for the family’s honor was shared—no one would risk their own reputation. The same applied to Xue Fanzhi.

But this younger sister hadn’t always been like this; she used to obey in all things, always treating her kindly. Now, what had happened to her—why wouldn’t she listen, why couldn’t things return to how they once were?

Xue Jiaoyue wept—this time for real, in anger and frustration. “Xiao Ba, what’s happened to you? You weren’t like this before!”

The only reply was Xue Fanzhi’s feigned snoring.

...

On the winding path where the third and fourth branches parted ways, the matriarch of the third branch intercepted the matriarch of the fourth, seeking an invitation.

Confident in her status as elder sister-in-law, she argued, “Your Fourth Daughter is plain of appearance; it would be a waste for her to attend. Would she catch the eye of any noble? Better give it to Fifth Daughter—she is talented and beautiful, destined for greatness. When she prospers, both branches will benefit. Can the fourth branch expect less?”

Fourth Daughter, hearing her appearance dismissed, stared blankly at her grandmother.

But the fourth branch’s matriarch was not to be trifled with and replied curtly, “I take my leave, sister-in-law,” then led her granddaughters home.

The third branch’s matriarch fumed at the crossroads for quite some time.

...

Unable to spread rumors, and with the old lady backing Xue Fanzhi, Madam Jin and Xue Jiaoyue had no recourse but to leave, disgruntled.

But without the invitation, Xue Jiaoyue refused to give up. Knowing now that Xue Fanzhi no longer possessed it, she could only turn to Xue Yang.

Xue Yang, under Doctor Li’s care, no longer suffered pain in his leg, though he still couldn’t walk. He was most concerned with Xue Jiaoyue’s marriage prospects. The opportunity to connect with a great family was not to be missed. Hearing that two invitations remained, he planned to give one to Miss He as well, but before he could act, only one invitation was left.

After the third branch’s matriarch reconsidered—realizing that Fifth Daughter’s prospects outweighed material gain, and that their business had prospered in recent years—she returned the items taken from Xue Jiaoyue’s room to the old lady. The old lady passed these to Xue Fanzhi, and gave one invitation to Third Branch’s Fifth Daughter.

Now, only one invitation remained.

One would suffice, meant for Xue Jiaoyue alone. But the old lady refused, saying Xue Jiaoyue was still confined, and she had her own plans for it.

Xue Yang, already uneasy before his stepmother, could only retreat in defeat when faced with the old lady’s firmness.

Xue Jiaoyue, hearing the invitation had not been granted, was relentless. Why should she be the one to lose her possessions, while Xue Fanzhi benefited?

...

If that were all, she could accept it. But without the invitation, was she to watch her sisters go off joyously to the banquet, where each might be chosen by her ideal match, and she alone left to marry a commoner?

But Xue Yang was powerless.

Perhaps Heaven had eyes, or perhaps sincerity moved fate—Xue Jiaoyue so desperately wished to attend the banquet that the Thirteenth Daughter of the Xie family truly sent someone to deliver an invitation to her, with special instructions to wear a bright red dress. Clearly, the invitation was extended with great care.

Xue Jiaoyue’s spirits soared; she strutted to Xue Fanzhi’s room with a lively gait.

Xue Fanzhi was still resting, and found her presence utterly vexing—could she not be allowed a proper nap?

“What are you here for again? Haven’t you had enough of being beaten?”

As Xiang Yu once said, “To return home in riches is like wearing brocade at night.”

Xue Jiaoyue waved the invitation before Xue Fanzhi’s eyes. “Who gave you your invitation? Was it the Xie family? Mine was delivered personally by the Xie family!”

Since the Xie family was hosting the welcome banquet, invitations sent directly by them were more prestigious; those delivered by others seemed mere attachments.

Xue Fanzhi turned away, pulled the bedding over herself, and went back to sleep.

Xue Jiaoyue: “...”

Leaving Xue Fanzhi’s room, she snorted at the doorway. She refused to believe her younger sister was indifferent—surely she was jealous, merely pretending not to care.

With this thought, Xue Jiaoyue’s mood brightened. She had her maid pester the two nursemaids sent by the old lady, then went off to show off to her other sisters.

Fourth Daughter, Fifth Daughter, Sixth Daughter, Seventh Daughter—nearly all the young ladies of the Xue family approaching adulthood had received invitations from the Xie family.

But after Xue Jiaoyue left, Xue Fanzhi slept soundly until afternoon, untroubled by the invitations, her mind occupied by other matters.

The Qin family should have arrived by now—why hadn’t they come to pay their respects?

Perhaps, in her previous life, she had been confined and misremembered the dates, or perhaps, with this rebirth, some events had shifted.