chapter 2

Father’s face went scarlet. He snatched up the teacup beside him and hurled it at me.

I was prepared. At this distance, the tea could not splash me, and I could easily dodge the cup.

“Everyone in the capital knows of the two Lord Luos. My uncle, the senior Lord Luo, is upright and capable. The junior Lord Luo has little ability but a gift for ingratiating himself with his betters. He clings especially tightly to his elder brother’s leg. To this day, he refuses to establish a separate household for fear that any distance might weaken their bond.”

Mother flapped her hands at me. “Stop talking! Are you trying to anger your father to death?”

I had played the mute for years, just as they wished.

Now that my marriage was settled, if I did not speak, they might never get another chance to hear me.

“And then there is Mother. You are the principal wife, yet you have no legitimate son. You registered a concubine’s son in your name but could not even raise him. The moment his birth mother shed a few tears, Father sent him back to her. You were angry and resentful, but your own family is weak, so you dared say nothing. You cower so much that even a concubine can climb over your head.”

Mother froze. Tears slid effortlessly down her cheeks.

Father put on the air of a devoted husband. “You wretch! Are you trying to anger your mother to death?”

I had not yet reached the part about their favoritism.

But both of them were already blazing with fury, and cornered dogs were apt to bite.

I dropped neatly to my knees and knocked my forehead against the floor three times.

“Your daughter has been insolent. I shall go to the prayer hall and recite scriptures with Grandmother.”

Before either could answer, I sprang up and fled the courtyard.

My personal maid hurried after me, panting. “Miss, why provoke Master and Madam like that? Do you no longer wish to live in peace?”

If I did not provoke them now, I would lose my chance.

“Uncle will certainly make me marry Lin Zhiyun. He feels guilty toward me, so unless I cause a truly grave disaster, he will cover for me. My parents are desperate to please him. Until I marry Lin Zhiyun, they will do nothing to me even if I tear the roof off the house.”

At the prayer hall, Grandmother called me to her side. She clasped my hand warmly, slipped a bracelet from her wrist, and placed it on mine.

“Han’er, tell Grandmother if there is anything you want. Good girl.”

There was a world of difference between sending a carefully cultivated legitimate daughter to an impoverished household and sending an inconspicuous granddaughter instead.

I had often kept Grandmother company during her prayers, but ordinary as I was, no number of visits could compete with the fame of her brilliant eldest granddaughter.

Perhaps I was simply born unlovable.

This was the first fine thing Grandmother had ever given me.

I stroked the bracelet and smiled faintly, intending to say I was already content.

Instead, what came out was, “Grandmother, bracelets are best worn in pairs.”

I closed my mouth.

Another truth had escaped.

After a moment’s silence, Grandmother removed the bracelet from her other wrist and gave me that one too.

The warmth in her eyes cooled a little.

The elders of our family were all the same. They taught me to know my place and never overstep.

Asking for a second bracelet was greed, and greed should not be indulged.

But for now, the family needed me.

Three days later, my engagement to Lin Zhiyun was formally settled.

He had come to the capital for the examinations. Once the engagement was agreed upon, he politely declined Uncle’s invitation to stay at the Luo residence.

When he was about to leave, I hid nearby to watch him.

As if sensing me, he glanced my way and raised an eyebrow.

I met his gaze without flinching.

Eyes could reveal a great deal.

I wanted to know what Lin Zhiyun thought about having his bride changed without warning.

His gaze was equally searching. He was studying me too.

My cousin whispered in my ear, “He is handsome enough for you. His clothes are plain, though. You may not eat or dress well after marrying him. Come shopping with me later. We will buy you more fabric and new clothes.”

She drew me away, and we slipped out through the rear gate.

In the carriage, she gazed at me with tender pity. “To be saddled with parents like Uncle and Aunt, then married off to a ruined household… Little Sister, why is your fate so bitter?”

The image of Lin Zhiyun’s broad chest flashed through my mind.

“It isn’t bitter,” I blurted. “There will be plenty for me to feast on.”