Chapter 35

Chapter 35

I was taken aback. “Saw what?”

Cui Zishu looked as though she had finally made a difficult decision. “That soldier.”

“Oh, him. I helped him once…”

“You’ve helped Brother, too. You’ve helped all of us.”

I looked at her with confusion, waiting for her to continue. She took a deep breath. “Standing on my brother’s side-and out of my own selfishness-I don’t want you to leave. But I still feel I must say this: Brother can’t give you happiness. You should have a normal husband and live a normal life, instead of staying with…”

“Instead of staying with a cripple? Living as a widow in all but name for the rest of my life?”

Ignoring Cui Zishu’s startled expression, I continued, “Let me think… it must have been when I was fifteen. Old Master Cui brought Cui Shao to visit the Chen Family of Gusu. While I was combing Miss Chen’s hair, I accidentally snapped a single strand. She demanded I pay for it with my own scalp. It was Cui Shao who spoke up and saved me. To him, it was likely just a casual remark, but to me, he was like a god descending from the heavens. He might not remember it, but I will never forget it as long as I live.”

And I would certainly never forget the way my heart raced uncontrollably the first time I saw him.

I suppose that was love at first sight.

Cui Zishu rose, dazed. As she reached the door, she was startled by the person standing outside.

“Brother? When did you get back?”

As soon as she asked, she covered her mouth. She looked at Cui Shao, then at me, before scurrying back to her room in a fit of guilt.

I stood up and looked out. Cui Shao was standing under the veranda with his hands behind his back, staring blankly at the moon.

“You…” I began tentatively, unsure of what to say.

Cui Shao turned around and handed something to me.

“For you. I bought this hairpin in a small town on the border. It was a bit plain, so I set a piece of jade into it. I finally finished it today. Here.”

In my palm lay a silver hairpin. The once-bare end now held a hollowed-out piece of jade. The texture and shape looked somewhat familiar, but before I could examine it closely, Cui Shao tucked it into my hair.

“Yu, it looks beautiful.”

He gazed at me. I lowered my head bashfully. “Thank you, Husband.”

“We are husband and wife, one and the same,” he said. “There is no need for such formalities.”