Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Father woke and saw Mother’s red, swollen eyes. A flicker of guilt crossed his gaze.

He came over and apologized to her.

Mother smiled gently. “It’s all right. You were right, husband.”

Father froze for a moment, then let out a breath of relief. “It’s very good that you can be so sensible.”

After Father left, Mother burned every piece of embroidery she had finished but had not yet had time to sell.

The firelight reflected off her calm brows and eyes. Deep in that darkness was a ruthlessness clear enough to see straight through.

But when she looked at my face, her gaze softened again.

She kissed my forehead and whispered to me, “Mother will protect you.”

When Father returned and saw that Mother had burned the embroidery, he asked in confusion, “What are you doing?”

Mother broke into a radiant smile.

She took Father’s hand, her eyes tender.

“I thought a great deal about what you said last night. We are in the capital now, and you are no longer the poor boy you once were.

“Now you are more than capable of supporting the two of us mother and daughter in comfort. You are a man who can hold up the sky. If I keep selling these things, wouldn’t I be slapping the face of an imperial official like you?”

With just a few words, Mother praised Father until his heart bloomed with delight.

“In the past, I didn’t dress myself up because I thought our family had no money. I was always trying to save a little more for you, afraid you might need it to smooth things over in official circles.

“Look at me. How foolish I was. That little money of mine could never have been enough for such things.

“Besides, you are so accomplished. In just a few short months, you have become a fifth-rank official. Your future is limitless. I should take proper care of myself too, so I can bring you honor.”

No sooner had Mother finished speaking than Xu Weilan, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, arrived.

The moment she stepped inside, she went straight to Father. “Brother Ruosheng, my father said you were moving today. A grown man like you wouldn’t understand these things, and Sister-in-law comes from the countryside, so she would know even less about managing a household. That’s why I came to help you.”

Mother was not ugly. In fact, she was beautiful. It was only that all these years of wearing herself down for Father had left her somewhat weathered.

But even Mother in her prime would have been like comparing a fish eye to a pearl when placed beside Xu Weilan.

Xu Weilan was far too beautiful. Her face and bearing were extraordinary, her glances radiant. Every frown and smile made her seem like a goddess or immortal descending to earth.

When Father looked at her, his gaze softened despite himself. In the end, his heart had still been moved.

“This must be Sister-in-law.” Xu Weilan smiled as she walked toward Mother.

Father looked at Mother nervously, afraid she would make a scene, cry, or start cursing.

In his heart, his wife was nothing more than a village woman, so it was only natural for him to worry.

After all, in the countryside, who had three wives and four concubines? Being able to marry a wife at all was already good fortune earned from past virtue.

The provocation in Xu Weilan’s smile was hard to hide. She looked down on country women like my mother.

Under both their gazes, Mother merely smiled.

“Our family has only just arrived here. To receive the favor of the Grand Chancellor and Young Miss is truly the blessing of three lifetimes.

“It is true that I do not understand household management. Perfect timing, then. My husband and I have already agreed that we will go out to buy some clothes and jewelry. I will have to trouble Young Miss with the move.”

Xu Weilan signaled to the old nanny beside her, who took out a pouch of silver. Xu Weilan held the pouch and placed it into Mother’s hand with a beaming smile.

“Today is our first meeting. I had long heard that Brother Ruosheng had a wife who stood by him through hardship, as well as a daughter, but I never had the time to meet you. Since we have met today, and since you are going to purchase clothes, consider this money a meeting gift for you and the child. I imagine you don’t have much money on hand.”

She humiliated Mother openly, waiting with pleasure for Mother to complain and shrink in embarrassment.

Who would have thought that Mother would accept the money with tears brimming in her eyes, then take her hand and thank her again and again?

“Thank you so very much, Young Miss. You brought such a generous gift the very first time you came. If Young Miss does not mind, how about I have my daughter acknowledge you as her godmother in the future?”

Xu Weilan curled her lip in disgust and hurriedly pulled her hand back. But with my father standing nearby, she still had to play the part of a gentle and kind woman.

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

That day, Xu Weilan helped my father with the move, running back and forth. Though she did not have to do the physical labor herself, merely directing people coming and going drained all her strength.

By the end, her feet were blistered, and her throat was parched.

Mother, however, carried me out of the room and took me with her to spend Xu Weilan’s money, buying many beautiful clothes and pieces of jewelry.

I asked Mother where the money had come from.

Mother paid the bill with practiced ease and bought another dress, her tone unable to hide her excitement.

“Your father’s selling-himself money!”