In the third month after our wedding, Shao Zhi took me back to Luoyang to pay respects to his clansmen. Along the way, he carefully explained the web of interests within his clan.
When he mentioned his eldest brother, his face filled with pride.
“My eldest brother is a very good man. He taught me riding and archery himself! ”
Now he serves in Luoyang as the Central Army Commander.
He is the one we are going to meet today.
” I hated Luoyang. There, someone had once forced me to drink a ladle of water from the Luo River and swear an oath: from then on, we would each marry another and never disturb each other again. Clutching the konghou in my arms, I only lowered my head and tried to refuse. ”
Ah Zhi, I was once a music courtesan.
I fear I might sully your honored brother’s eyes and ears.
It would be better if I did not meet him…
” Shao Zhi gathered me into his arms with pity and held my hand, telling me not to worry. ”
He won’t mind. I’ll secretly tell you a bit of gossip about my brother.
Before he married my sister-in-law, he once turned the whole world upside down over a music courtesan who played the konghou.
Later, afraid my sister-in-law would grow jealous, he forced that courtesan to drink from the Luo River and swear that they would each marry another and never disturb each other again.
“Besides, you are my wife now, and you play a fine twenty-three-string konghou. For my sake, my brother is sure to like you.”
