Chapter 4

Chapter 4

My sister-in-law was busy with all these things, so she had no time to prepare the gifts for her return visit. My brother handled them instead. We even planned to send over the betrothal gifts that had been carried back from the Zhao family.

The Zhao family had a deep connection with my brother, so the betrothal gifts we gave had already been generous. But when Mother thought of the way the Qiao family had behaved, she added even more. She wanted to give my sister-in-law face.

Yet when we arrived at the Qiao family gate, we were not even allowed inside.

The Qiao family had arranged rows of servants at the entrance. Not a single master came out. Only a steward stood in front and declared loudly, “In our Great Zhao Dynasty, civil and military families do not intermarry. The Qiao family does not acknowledge this marriage. Eldest Miss, if you have even the slightest backbone, you should return home. The family will naturally support you for the rest of your life.”

Bah. If she returned like that, where could she go besides a nunnery?

No wonder Mother had ignored propriety and insisted I come along. She said my brother was a man after all, and there were certain situations where he could not step in. If my sister-in-law’s stepmother tried to make trouble, I had to protect Sister-in-law. It did not matter if I caused trouble. We were coarse people from the countryside. It was only normal that we did not understand etiquette.

I was just about to stride forward when my brother grabbed me by the back of my collar.

He tucked me behind him and stepped forward, saying in a clear voice, “Civil and military families do not intermarry? I heard Madam Gu entered the palace the day before yesterday and told the Empress Dowager about this matter. His Majesty was there as well, and he laughed heartily, praising it as a match made in heaven. Are you, a mere servant, questioning His Majesty?”

My sister-in-law looked at my brother in surprise. My own eyes went wide. Was this my brother? Since when could my brother speak so sharply? The Minister’s Mansion was full of high officials, yet he was not afraid at all.

And his words were effective. As soon as he finished, a man walked out from inside. When my sister-in-law saw him, she stepped forward and bowed, calling him Father. My brother also stepped forward and called him Father-in-law.

Lord Qiao waved his hand. “I do not deserve to be called your father-in-law. This marriage had no matchmaker and no betrothal. The Qiao family does not acknowledge it. Do not use the Gu family as an excuse either. A man having responsibility is admirable, but mine is a daughter. If she had even a little sense of propriety and shame, she should have returned home that day instead of truly marrying.”

This time, I did not even widen my eyes. My view of the world had grown too much. Even though I was young, I understood that for a father to say such words in public was basically forcing my sister-in-law to die.

My sister-in-law stood there quietly. Her eyes did not even redden. But I felt she was even more pitiful because of it. She must have been treated like this often, so she was not surprised at all.

The people around us began whispering. I walked to her side, gently hugged her, and whispered, “Sister-in-law, do not be afraid. You have a family now. We will protect you.”

The person who had not cried before finally dropped a tear onto my face after hearing that.