Chapter 2: 002 Endure It

She wore a faded light green long dress, her complexion pale as she sat upright in the only square-backed chair in the room. Yet, this did not diminish her elegance and grace. Her jet-black hair was styled in a lady-like bun, held by a single jade hairpin slanted through it. This simple and elegant adornment added a touch of softness to her entire being, making her look like a clear lotus in a green pond amidst the drizzling autumn rain, possessing a beauty that evoked a sense of pity and tenderness.

The woman lightly raised her arm, and as her sleeve shifted slightly, her arm—which should have been as white as lotus root—was covered in a crisscross of deep and shallow red and purple marks, along with several whip lashes that were still oozing droplets of bright red. Cui'er's eyes grew moist. She poured medicinal powder from a porcelain vial and gently applied it to the wounds on Feng Qingzhuang's arm, sobbing,

"If Madam were still alive, Miss would not have to endure so much suffering, allowing those concubines and young ladies of the Prime Minister's Manor to bully and beat you at will."

"It is only three days away; once I endure these three days, it will be over. Hurry and apply the medicine, I am so tired." The soft, pleasant voice was as calm as water. Her distant gaze looked through the gauze-covered lattice window at the drizzling rain on the panes. Thinking of the person she was to marry in three days, a thread of sweetness overflowed in her heart. She gave a faint smile, and two shallow dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, instantly making her pale, bloodless face come alive.

"That's true. In three days, it will be the day Prince Qing comes to fetch you. Once you marry and become the Princess of Qing, let's see if those women still dare to bully you," Cui'er said, swallowing her tears and speaking with resentment.

Feng Qingzhuang's features were as beautiful as a painting; she smiled faintly without speaking.

"Miss, I heard that Prince Qing is handsome and dashing, like the bright moon and a cool breeze. He is proficient in both civil and military arts, and was granted the title of Prince Qing at a young age. He is one of the Four Great Young Masters of the world, the dream man of countless maidens. Even several of the young ladies in our Prime Minister's Manor admire His Highness Prince Qing and are jealous of you in their hearts," Cui'er added, a trace of pride for her mistress shining in her clear eyes.

"Mhm," Feng Qingzhuang nodded with a shy, faint smile.

Since she was five years old, she had seen Shangguan Xuanqing at an imperial night banquet. Even though he was only ten then, he possessed an air of elegance and pride. She knew then that he was the person she was destined to marry. From that moment on, the name Shangguan Xuanqing remained etched in her heart. Now that she was sixteen, she remembered every detail about him clearly. Thinking that in three days she would become his wife, a touch of bashfulness could not help but appear on Feng Qingzhuang's face, red as the morning clouds and strikingly beautiful.

Outside the window, the drizzling autumn rain had stopped. Crystal-clear raindrops slid down the edges of the roof tiles, hitting the bluestone ground and splashing up countless tiny droplets.

"Miss, the medicine is applied. Let me help you to the bed to lie down for a while," Cui'er said softly.

"Mhm," Feng Qingzhuang nodded in response, her exquisite face showing a hint of fatigue.

Just as the master and servant stood up and began walking toward the bed, they heard countless chaotic footsteps sounding outside the Wutong Courtyard, interspersed with the sound of cold, mocking laughter.

The once quiet little courtyard suddenly became noisy and bustling.

"Miss..."

Hearing such a large commotion and thinking of the usual behavior of those women, Cui'er's body trembled with fear. Fear welled up in her dark eyes as she took a step closer to Feng Qingzhuang, calling out in a low voice.

"Don't be afraid. At worst, they will just shout a few insults and mock us a few times. Just endure it and it will pass." Feng Qingzhuang took Cui'er's hand and patted it to comfort her. In truth, there was panic in her own heart as well; she had a feeling that something bad was about to happen.