It was unknown if this happened because his ears had their fill of torture, because after that and for the entire night, Cui Buqu had a dream about Feng Xiao.
There was nothing else in the dream; all of it was that person flying around in high spirits, repeatedly saying:
"There was once… And another time…"
There was a murky sky and dark earth, where the sun and moon did not shine.
Until Cui Buqu woke up, the words, 'there was once' continuously resounded in his ears. There they remained, stubborn like troublesome march willows, once they stuck to one's clothes, they were incredibly difficult to get rid of.
He got up clumsily to change his clothes and then got down to change his shoes. The knocking of the door sounded, and Cui Buqu seriously contemplated whether or not he should jump out of the window and be done with it. Thankfully, in the next moment, the other's voice was his saving grace, permitting him to avoid the tragic scene of leaping down from the second floor and endure a broken leg.
"Young Master Cui, my apologies for the interruption, but might I inquire if you're free for a chat? If not, I can come again later." It was Cui Pei.
Cui Buqu loosened his breath, "Go to the teahouse next door and look for a single unit. I will be there in a while."
Cui Pei knew what to do; what followed was the sound of his footsteps travelling far away.
The view without Feng-er was incredibly pleasant if one were to ignore the odds and ends of the meal from last night that hasn't been cleaned.
That man's incredible fuzziness over cleanliness has reached a degree where Cui Buqu was willing to candidly admit defeat.
To think about it: who would have trained themselves in the art of combat using a zither just so they won't need to fight their enemies up close and just so they could use their inner strength and send their enemies flying with the waves of music?
There was no one, only Feng-er.
So to speak, Feng-er willingly carried him down the carriage and into the inn in person was already an unprecedented treatment.
There was a sliver of something lingering in the air that had an unpleasant smell, it made Cui Buqu speed up his steps and leave the place, not willing to remain there any longer.
Cui Pei was a little perturbed.
Had it been just a few days ago, if someone had told him that Cui Jie was still alive and that he could decide the fate of the Cui family, he would have thought it was very absurd.
For in his permanent memory, the impression of that child was someone silent, someone who would never complain to him even if he had endured all the bullying and fell ill.
Afterwards, when Cui Pei had children of his own, he finally understood the hearts of parents, and every time he thought about that child, the more guilt he felt.
Within two short days, the Cui family's lives had turned upside down. The Boling Cui clan was like a bumpy boat in the midst of a hurricane that would overturn at any moment.
Members of the Cui family all found themselves in perilous situations. The women wet their face with tears and even some of them cussed and swore at Cui Buqu, cursing him to die a terrible death.
However, Cui Pei knew that Cui Buqu would never take these cusses and swears to heart.
From the moment the other left the Cui family, he had severed the last ties he shared with the Cui clan.
The verdict has yet to come from the Imperial Court. Cui Yong had already contacted the Fanyang Lu Sect to discuss a letter of mercy. Cui Pei did not know how much these actions will help their case, but as the only member of the Cui family who wasn't directly involved and at the same time had an orphan entrusted to him before Maiden Yu's death, of course, Cui Yong sent him here hoping to convince Cui Buqu to be merciful.
Before he left the door, Cui Yong reminded him, again and again, to be careful of what he says. It was important not to provoke Cui Buqu, and regardless of what conditions the other requested, he only needed to agree before returning to ponder over them.
As he thought to this point, Cui Pei couldn't help laughing bitterly. He wasn't afraid of what conditions the other will request, his only fear was that Cui Buqu will not request any conditions at all.
Boling Cui clan was one of the aristocratic family clans that everyone flocked to. How many people whose surname was Cui brewed plans to leech off the name of the Boling Cui clan? However, towards these temptations, Cui Buqu was completely uninterested in them.
"The reason I brought you here is because you met Young Master Cui and the rest outside the city and forged a good relationship. Later on, even if there is the need to kneel down and beg him, don't hesitate. Without my orders, do not say anything rashly." Cui Pei reminded the young girl next to him.
"I understand." Ninth Lady Cui gave him a look of uneasiness.
Within the span of a single night, her father became a murderer and her mother had been a murderer's accomplice. Both of them were doomed. Ninth Lady Cui and her other siblings felt like they had been hit from the clouds down to the sawdust on earth, receiving a hard impact on the head. They were stunned for the whole day, at a loss of what to do.
She should have hated Cui Buqu, but as she watched that tall and thin shadow entering from the outside, she could not bring herself to hate him a single bit. As for those complicated feelings left in her, it was too convoluted to narrate in words.
It was the same as the first time they met; Cui Buqu's complexion was pale, and he did not display any look of happiness or anger when he saw them.
"I hope you are not here to beg for mercy." Cui Buqu went straight to the point.
"With the way things have progressed now, how could we still dare? Today, I only wish to take a look at you." Cui Pei laughed bitterly.
Cui Buqu nodded slightly, hinting that he was waiting for his next words.
Cui Pei was at a loss of how he should continue. As a man over the age of fifty, he had roamed the world and visited many places. He had even seen the Emperor himself before, yet at this moment, he felt anxious.
"That year, it was I who betrayed second sister-in-law's trust." He thought over his words, not willing to provoke the other, "I know that you bear resentment in your heart, and regarding this matter, it was the Cui family who had wronged you. Father himself also has regrets."
Cui Buqu laughed all of a sudden, "If I had died out there that year, would Cui Yong still have regrets now?"
Naturally, he wouldn't. Cui Pei had nothing else to say in return. He thought about his father's behaviour from the beginning until just before his elder brother was being dragged away; he was still regretting that he hadn't killed him all those years ago, and not regretting the fact that he had never been kind to him.
As he thought to this point, he felt a little downhearted. All of a sudden he no longer wished to speak.
Cui Pei sighed, "Is there anything I can do for you? If it's to move second sister-in-law into the Cui clan's ancestral burial site…"
Cui Buqu replied expressionlessly, "If she had never been buried, how could she move in?"
It was impossible to continue conversing like this. Had it been for someone else, they would have risen to their feet and slammed a hand on the table. Yet Cui Pei had always been meek, so regardless of what Cui Buqu says, he would shoulder it all upon himself.
"It was all my fault, had I been more determined in the past…"
"Do you want to be the elder of the Cui clan?" Cui Buqu asked all of a sudden.
Cui Pei suddenly looked up at him.
Cui Buqu expressed a long and eloquent laugh, "Before you, there are three elder brothers. Thus no matter what, the opportunity would never fall upon you. However, right now, it is different. Even if the Cui family was not affected by Cui Da's sentence and could save themselves, members of the Cui clan would object to either of them taking up the post of the elder. Yet, if it was you, there might still be hope."
Cui Pei's throat was dry, "I have never thought about this."
Cui Buqu, "If one were to protect themselves and the ones they love, they would need strength. As of now, the collateral branch of the Cui family is in fragments. If even you were unwilling to stand out, then it would give the opportunity to others to step all over you."
Cui Pei did not say a word, but Cui Buqu knew that he had listened to everything he said.
Cui Pei's abilities were not bad, but as years and months passed, with his father and brothers on top of him, he never had the chance to prove himself. Even as a scholar with a reputable name outside, when people spoke of him, they would not neglect to mention that he was from the Boling Cui clan.
Cui Buqu had managed to walk out, but he didn't and was doomed to be strapped by the three words, 'Boling Cui clan' for life.
Glory was also sometimes shackles.
From the outside, someone entered. It was a servant from the Prefecture Magistrate's manor.
"I will go immediately." Cui Buqu nodded.
Cui Pei knew that the other had no heart to continue speaking, so he immediately said, "I will visit second sister-in-law's grave frequently. When you travel outside, please take care of yourself!"
He took out a written prescription and gave it to Cui Buqu.
"You might also know that centuries-long aristocratic families like us would certainly have kept valuable medical formulas. Since your body is unwell, this is what I have managed to find in the Cui family that could help regulate your body. Doctor Sun has also looked over it himself." Cui Pei urged, "I know that right now, with your present identity, there is nothing you lack, but if you ever need it, just write a letter home, and I will try my best to do it for you."
Cui Buqu paused faintly and accepted the prescription.
Cui Pei certainly let out a breath of relief. Speaking with this nephew of his made him incredibly pressured, perhaps even more nervous compared to speaking with the Emperor.
"Of what I have said before, give it some thought. If you succeed the Cui clan as its elder, perhaps I will consider begging for mercy on behalf of the Cui family in front of the Emperor, to avoid involving innocent women and children." Cui Buqu gave Ninth Lady Cui a look, "And to also save Cui Yong from offering Ninth Lady Cui to Feng Xiao as his concubine."
Ninth Lady Cui gave a stunning look filled with disbelief, "Did grandfather…really say that?"
She turned to look at Cui Pei, and the latter avoided her gaze, not willing to meet her eyes.
"Young Master Cui!"
Ninth Lady Cui called out to Cui Buqu who was walking outside and finally said the words she had been holding in since forever, "Are you really as they said, my elder brother?"
Cui Buqu's footsteps did not stop, he spoke expressionlessly, "Even if the Cui family is not finished, it would still cost them a hefty price. If you wish to pursue Sun Jimin in being a practitioner, this is the best chance. Do not be all words with no actions, proving yourself similar to those women who are timid and hesitant. Don't make it so that I cannot be proud of you."
The colour on Ninth Lady Cui's face changed for a moment, and just as Cui Pei thought that she would rush forward to confront the other, all of sudden she fell on her knees before Cui Buqu and bowed to him.
"I am sorry."
Cui Buqu was stunned for a moment.
Ninth Lady Cui said in a low voice, "I am sorry. I have heard of your past from onlookers and I know that I am not worthy enough to speak for my father and mother, but I am born a daughter of theirs, and regarding what they have done to you in the past, it's impossible for me to be completely absolved of it. Regardless of how they are now, I am unworthy to beg for mercy on their behalf, so all I can do is to say 'I am sorry'. Please lead a good life in the future, sail a smooth journey, and be free from hardships."
She parted her lips as if to address him as an elder brother, but in the end, those words did not make it past her lips.
As Cui Buqu walked further away, Cui Pei helped her to her feet. He watched tears trickle down her face and couldn't help but sigh.
"Why would you bring such a thing upon yourself?"
"I should have hated him." Ninth Lady Cui rubbed her now fully reddened eyes, but her tears refused to stop, "But when I recall how well I was fed and sheltered when I was little and received all the love I needed, yet he was out there enduring all the suffering, I cannot bring myself to hate him."
Cui Pei spoke dejectedly, "It was not your fault."
Ninth Lady Cui, "But it was not his fault either. Although he came back to arrest uncle and father, these were matters with reasonable cause and not enforced bullying with the oppression of power. Members of the Cui family still cussed at him terribly. I…I don't know why in my heart, I feel stuck in panic."
Cui Pei patted her head but said nothing.
He thought that perhaps because of Ninth Lady Cui, Cui Buqu could see that there was still a trickle of warmth that existed in the Cui family, which ultimately contributed to his decision to take a step back. Or perhaps, Cui Buqu was taking into consideration the late Maiden Yu and Cui Er. However, regardless of which it was, things have stopped here, and this was already the best ending they could have had.
...
Cui Buqu was led to the Prefecture Magistrate's rear garden, thus he witnessed Feng Xiao and Yuan Sansi happily conversing with each other in absolute delight, practically as if they already have sacrificed the chicken, burned the yellow paper, and recognized each other as sworn brothers in the next moment.
He couldn't help sighing, and in his heart, he said that prior to this, he had never witnessed Feng-er and Prefecture Magistrate Yuan being this close with each other. However, who could have guessed that once he knew that the other carried with him the location of the treasure stove, he was like a weasel who smelled food and refused to let go of it, insisting on bulging in and getting involved no matter what.
When Yuan Sansi saw him, on his face divulged a smile as he rose to his feet and bowed, familiar yet not lacking the necessary mannerisms.
"Buqu, Commander Feng here said that you have already told him of the matter, and that both of you were prepared to look for the treasure stove together."
Cui Buqu gave Feng Xiao a glare which meant: You truly know how to wind yourself around the stick that beats you.
Feng Xiao returned his expression with a look of innocence as if he understood nothing from his expression.
As Yuan Sansi saw that Cui Buqu wasn't objecting, he told them both, "Both of you, follow me."
He brought both of them to his study and took out a book from the shelf, before taking out a bookmark made of bamboo.
The bookmark was quite old, but if one were to take a closer look, it was two bamboo pieces stuck together, and if a knife was used to split them, in the middle was a thin cloth.
Carefully, Yuan Sansi took that cloth out and meticulously spread it open, turning it into a cloth as big as half a palm.
On it was drawn, with special ink, a scenery from someplace.
There was snow on top of a mountain, a cave in the heart of its split, and turquoise rocks with gurgling water.
Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu stared at it for a moment, but they could not tell what place it was.
Most of the landscapes beneath the sky would have more or less a look like this.
If the Wei Dynasty really did leave behind a treasure stove, saving it for future use, it was not possible for them to just leave behind a vague clue like this to their descendants.
This wasn't a riddle at all, this was pulling their legs.
Yuan Sansi said, "It was also my first time disassembling the bookmark and seeing something like this."
Cui Buqu, "Was there a pointer?"
Yuan Sansi replied in determination, "Yes, there is. Hengzhou, Tiannan Mountain!"
====
Sacrificed the chicken, burned the yellow paper: The process between people who wished to become sworn brothers/sisters.
Wind yourself around the stick that beats you: In Chinese, it was 打蛇随棍上, which practically illustrates how a snake would wound up a pole that [someone] uses to beat it, referring to a person who knows how to take advantage of the situation they were in.