TRBDM -Chapter 33 Snatching the Handkerchief (1/2)

Ever since returning from Tianshan Temple, Xie Wanyi had become much more low-key. She no longer stirred up trouble and instead stayed quietly in her room, secretly working on her embroidery.

“Ah—!” A shrill scream rang out.

The maid hurried into the room and saw a handkerchief tossed on the floor. On it was a crooked, misshapen lotus.

“This damned embroidery needle— it stabbed my hand again!”

Xie Wanyi held up her finger, a bead of blood clinging to the tip.

The maid carefully tended to her wound and said softly, “Miss, would you like this servant to help you—”

Xie Wanyi kicked the maid to the ground. “Are you plotting something? What rotten idea are you suggesting? The handkerchief must be embroidered personally to show sincerity. You, a lowly wench, dare to lay a finger on my handkerchief?”

Enduring the pain, the maid knelt on the floor and did not dare speak again.

After a while, Xie Wanyi ordered her to pick up the handkerchief. Frowning, she began embroidering once more.

She had decided that in a few days she would return to Tianshan Temple, bringing along the handkerchief she had embroidered herself, and personally deliver the token to that man.

Though she did not know his name, his face was already deeply etched in her mind.

By nightfall, she still had not managed to embroider a complete lotus.

She had no patience at all. Who knew how many handkerchiefs and how much precious silk thread she had wasted—yet the result was still a complete mess.

“Ahhh! Why is this damned handkerchief so hard to embroider!”

Xie Wanyi flipped the table in one sweep, sending needles and threads scattering across the floor.

She felt unbearably irritated.

Stepping outside, she looked up at the moon overhead. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration flashed through her mind.

In Ruixiang Courtyard, Dou Shuyao carried the freshly brewed medicine to the Eastern Courtyard.

In recent days, Xie Chuan had been fairly cooperative and no longer made excuses when it was time to drink his medicine.

After finishing it, Dou Shuyao turned to leave as usual, but Xie Chuan stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

Xie Chuan was lecherous by nature. Having been confined to the Eastern Courtyard for several days, he felt unbearably restless.

There wasn’t a single woman in the entire courtyard—even the birds kept under the eaves were male. The restlessness in his heart could not be quelled, and gradually, he began looking forward to Dou Shuyao’s visits.

“Madam, don’t go. Stay and chat with me.”

Xie Chuan stepped forward, taking Dou Shuyao’s hand and gently stroking it.

Dou Shuyao felt as though she had been licked by a toad. Goosebumps rose all over her body. She shoved him away. “If you want to talk, then talk. Why are you laying hands on me?”

Xie Chuan clicked his tongue impatiently.

“I just wanted to ask how things have been in Ruixiang Courtyard lately—show a little concern for you.”

“Everything is fine. There’s no need for concern.”

With Dou Shuxin keeping her company these past few days, Dou Shuyao had been happier than ever.

If she didn’t have to deliver medicine to the detestable Xie Chuan every day, she would be even happier.

“Younger sister-in-law hasn’t left yet? Is she planning to freeload here?”

“What do you mean by that? Are you trying to drive Shuxin away?”

Xie Chuan awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That’s not what I meant. Wanyi and your sister have some bad blood between them. With both of them in the marquis residence, I’m afraid they’ll start quarreling again.”

“Rest assured. Shuxin stays in Ruixiang Courtyard and doesn’t step out even once. As long as your dear sister doesn’t come knocking at our gate for no reason, the two of them won’t run into each other.”

After thinking for a moment, Dou Shuyao added, “Shuxin will be returning tomorrow. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself over it.”

“She’s going back tomorrow?” Xie Chuan knew his earlier words had gone a bit too far. “Why not… stay a few more days?”

“Enough. Stop pretending. You’re happy about it, aren’t you?”

Dou Shuyao didn’t bother arguing with him and simply left.

“Madam, see you tomorrow,” Xie Chuan called, waving at her retreating figure. She didn’t even turn her head.

Dou Shuyao lingered for a while in the Eastern Courtyard, unaware that chaos had already erupted in Ruixiang Courtyard.

“Wanyi, could you return the handkerchief with the floral-and-bird embroidery? It’s the assignment Nanny gave me. I have to hand it in when class resumes in a few days.”

In Xie Wanyi’s hand was a silk handkerchief embroidered with lifelike flowers and birds. The bird seemed so vivid it might take flight at any moment.

“Isn’t class only in a few days? Just embroider another one,” Xie Wanyi replied indifferently.

“There isn’t enough time. It takes at least a month to finish one piece. A few days isn’t nearly enough. Wanyi, please, give it back to me.”

“Dou Shuxin, why are you so stingy? You’ve been eating and staying at the marquis’s residence for free these days—did I say anything about that? I only took one of your handkerchiefs. Don’t act like you’re being wronged after taking advantage.”

Xie Wanyi flipped the handkerchief around carelessly. Each careless movement made Dou Shuxin’s heart clench.

The floral-and-bird design was embroidered with fine mulberry silk, delicate in texture. The finished piece should have been carefully preserved, yet in Xie Wanyi’s hands, handled so roughly, the silk threads could easily snap.

“If you like handkerchiefs, I have others in my room. I can give them to you. Could you return this one to me?”

Originally, it didn’t matter to Xie Wanyi which one she took. But the more Dou Shuxin tried to protect this particular one, the more determined she became to seize it.

“I want this one. I don’t care for the others.”

Cold sweat broke out on Dou Shuxin’s forehead.

This handkerchief wasn’t just her assignment—it was also meant to be sent into the palace as an embroidery submission.

Nanny had told her privately that her work would be presented to the palace, and she must put her utmost care into it.

No matter what, she could not let Xie Wanyi keep it.

Dou Shuxin stepped forward, putting on a brave front. “If you won’t return it, I’ll tell my sister.”

“Heh—” Xie Wanyi let out a scornful laugh. “What is your sister worth? Her husband doesn’t love her, her mother-in-law dislikes her, and she can’t get along with her in-laws. How dare you use her as a shield? A few days ago, I heard Big Brother say with my own ears that once he leaves the Eastern Courtyard, the first thing he’ll do is divorce Dou Shuyao.”

“What!” Dou Shuxin staggered back in shock.

“Tell me, if Dou Shuyao is divorced, who would dare marry her? If I were her, I’d smash my head against the stone lion in front of the marquis’s gate and end it all. What’s the point of living? Hahaha! Hahahaha!”

Xie Wanyi’s arrogant laughter pierced Dou Shuxin like countless arrows, shattering her already fragile composure.

“You’re lying! My sister would never be divorced!” Usually soft-spoken, Dou Shuxin suddenly burst forth with unexpected strength and shoved Xie Wanyi to the ground.

Xie Wanyi had been laughing with her head thrown back and was caught off guard. She fell heavily.

“Dou Shuxin! How dare you!” Xie Wanyi scrambled up and slapped her twice—hard.

The blows carried full force. Blood immediately seeped from the corner of Dou Shuxin’s mouth.

Her eyes reddened at the corners. She forced back her tears and stared stubbornly at Xie Wanyi. “You’re lying! You’re not allowed to speak about my sister like that.”

“I’ll say it, I’ll say it.” Xie Wanyi tossed the handkerchief to the ground and ground it viciously beneath her heel as she cursed, “Both you sisters deserve to die miserable deaths. Hurry and go to hell to join your short-lived mother!”

Dou Shuxin clutched her chest, gasping for breath. The venom in those curses was too cruel—it robbed her of speech.

Xie Wanyi admired her breakdown with satisfaction before strutting away triumphantly.

Just as she exited Ruixiang Courtyard, she ran into Dou Shuyao returning.

“Hmph.” Lifting her chin high, Xie Wanyi brushed past Dou Shuyao’s shoulder and swaggered off.

“Madam, Madam, come quickly and see Second Miss!” a maid ran out, shouting anxiously.