Chapter 3

I hadn’t become ruler of the world. I hadn’t married a man who would love only me. My body was sixteen, and all I could do was marry Master Chen, whose body was thirty-six.

My wedding clothes were pink. The bridal sedan entered through the back gate. Even the banquet amounted to only a few tables, because Master Chen had said, “It’s only taking a concubine. No need for a grand affair. I wouldn’t want to upset my wife.”

How considerate of you.

I met Master Chen for the first time on our wedding night. He was a middle-aged man through and through.

He had drunk a few cups too many and was as heavy as a pig, mumbling endlessly. “When the founding emperor established Great Qi, every little country around us came to offer congratulations. And now? Each generation is worse than the last. When have we ever had to swallow humiliation like this…?”

Anywhere in the world, in any age, a few drinks automatically awarded a middle-aged man a doctorate in political history.

When he finally finished, the wedding was finally over as well. From then on, I was his concubine.

I had prepared myself for this long ago, and had no room to refuse. I closed my eyes and told myself the day was over.

But Master Chen insisted on asking, “Aren’t I impressive?”

“Very.”

He certainly knew how to flatter himself.

My answer pleased him even more, and he still expected me to put up with my lot.

Inside, I thought—

I was already numb. I couldn’t even be bothered to get angry.

In the years since arriving in this world, I had constantly reassured myself: my family might not be especially distinguished, and I might be a concubine’s daughter, but at least Mother hadn’t mistreated us. I didn’t have to wait on anyone like a maid. Food appeared when I opened my mouth; clothes appeared when I held out my arms. Complaining about such a life would be ridiculous.

So I comforted myself about this marriage, too. Blink, and it would pass. At least it wasn’t unbearable.

Master Chen seemed quite satisfied with me. The next morning, when I wanted to rise early to pay my respects to his wife, he held my hand. “There’s no hurry.”

But I had grown up in a household like this. I knew a wife hated nothing more than a concubine made arrogant by favor. If I was late on my very first morning, what sort of life would I have afterward?

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes at him. Stay if you like. I’m going.

“Master, we’d better go early. It’s my first day. I mustn’t be discourteous.”

Fortunately, he didn’t detain me long. Once we were dressed, he took me to the main hall.

His wife and two concubines were already waiting, his four daughters standing on either side below them.

The eldest was eight, the youngest only four.

Old as Master Chen was, he had spent his early years concentrating on his career rather than women. He hadn’t married until twenty-six, and had taken Concubine Luo and Concubine Ma afterward.

When the greetings were over, his wife gave me a large gold bracelet. “Sister Zhou, you’re new here. If there’s anything you need, food or otherwise, come to me.”

“We’re all sisters in one family now.”

I nodded.

Before marrying, I had heard that Lady Chen was a very gentle, generous woman. Even a concubine in her household wouldn’t have too hard a life.