Promise of a Broken Vow - Chapter 20
Half a year after Shen Niao’s passing, Zhier went to the main house to sweep as usual.
Though Miss was gone, all her belongings remained.
She couldn’t let those things gather dust.
But as she walked under the willow tree, she saw a figure slumped over the stone table.
She walked closer for a look.
It was Pei Huai.
“If you want to drink, go somewhere else. Don’t disturb Miss here-”
But halfway through her words, she noticed something was off.
Only her own breathing could be heard here.
No more breathing.
He was dead.
Pei Huai was finally dead.
Zhier did not feel fear, but was overjoyed.
This man who had caused her Miss so much sorrow was finally dead.
It was not in vain that she had poisoned him every day; even when he slept, she would light incense for him, making sure he could not find a moment’s peace, even in his dreams.
She wanted Pei Huai to live in fear every moment of every day.
Only then would it not be in vain that Miss had loved him wrongly.
She threw her head back and laughed, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
In a daze, she seemed to see her Miss as a young girl-
Her face still a little chubby, dressed in novel clothes Zhier had never seen before, her smile as bright as the sun, her voice sweet and tender.
“Zhier, I’m very happy now. You should live your own life too.”
“Be happy every day.”
“All right.”
Miss, then I wish you joy and peace for all eternity.
(The end of the main text)
Postscript:
In the fifteenth year of Changli, Shen Niao and Pei Huai’s legitimate son, Pei Yunjin, won victory after victory and achieved great military merit.
The emperor was greatly pleased and, in front of all the civil and military officials, asked him what reward he desired.
He suddenly knelt and bowed deeply.
“Your subject desires only one thing.”
“My father broke his promise and caused my mother to die of sorrow. Before her death, my mother wrote a letter of divorce and did not wish to be buried with my father. I am willing to give up everything, only asking Your Majesty to fulfill my mother’s last wish!”
Such words were the height of disloyalty and unfilial conduct.
Even if the Marquis’s wife had wanted a divorce, she had indeed not divorced Marquis Pei. How could there be any reason for the Marquis’s wife and the Marquis to be buried separately?
At once, some officials rebuked Pei Yunjin, even cursing and insulting him in anger.
But Pei Yunjin said nothing, only looking straight at the emperor.
And, farther away, at Empress Dowager Shen.
The emperor frowned deeply, unable to decide, and could only look to Empress Dowager Shen for help. Empress Dowager Shen curled her lips in a faint smile.
“Granted.”
She had wanted to do this from the start.
Her beloved younger sister’s tragic death was a pain worse than having her bones scraped. How could Pei Huai deserve to be buried with her?
But at the time, her position was unstable, so she could only endure that bone-deep pain.
Now, she no longer had to endure.
Pei Huai, even in death you hoped to reunite with Niaoniao in the next life.
Wishful thinking!
(The end)
