Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Yuchuan was the first to leave; she was assigned to Manager Liu.

Bichuan and I served as bearers for the concubine; we only put on pink outfits to set the banquet tables-men were never going to show up-but she still had a complete wedding.

Manager Liu’s family had served in the Marquis Manor for three generations. His father had also been a trusted steward, and he had long since set up a house outside. Bichuan and I poured our lifetime’s skill into embroidering her a wedding robe with dragons and phoenixes bringing prosperity. To the blare of suona horns, she entered the bridal sedan chair I was destined never to ride.

At the last moment, she grasped my hand and wept: “Ever since you said you wanted to become a concubine, I’d planned never to open my heart to you again. But I just can’t let it go without asking. You used to be like me, disdainful of scheming and fighting-how could you lose your head when it came down to it? What good can come of being a concubine? Look at Sister Pochuan.”

Wiping away her tears, I smiled. “Be good. A bride should be happy. I’ll tell you later.”

But I knew I would never tell her it was for the child-that would be driving a nail into her heart.

She had always been proud, and the Old Madam’s courtyard was a peaceful one. Sister Pochuan’s experience was the most brutal-but I witnessed it when I was seven.

That year, the Old Madam needed people. The one who should have entered her courtyard wasn’t me, but the younger daughter of her dowry maid. But the Big Young Master took a fancy to the little girl’s elder sister to be his bed-servant. Her sister, fearful of the future First Madam’s reputation, refused; and just like that, their entire family was punished and sold off.

A maid who had grown up accompanying the Old Madam-she knelt and begged again and again, but it couldn’t compare to the Big Young Master feigning illness once.

These were things children shouldn’t have to know, yet my mother held me in her arms and told me in detail. She said, “Xiao Yao! Even if you don’t understand now, remember this: a master’s affection is just a sliver. Keep your head down and do your work-never stick yourself in their eyes, or disposing of us will be as easy as a single word.”

Later she passed away, but I remembered what she taught me. I didn’t scheme or fight; I wished no one could even see me.

But I wasn’t willing to bring another trembling little slave into this world like me.

On the day I went to serve the Second Master, it was the Second Madam who saw me first.

With her round face, she spoke kindly: “Our courtyard is small. It’s hard on you, coming from the Old Madam’s quarters and still willing to join us. Put your mind at ease-from now on, we’re one family.”

My heart leapt, and I couldn’t help raising my eyes to look at her.

See, she too was a concubine-born daughter, yet now she was the principal wife of an official’s household. When the family splits in the future, she will become a grand old lady like the Old Madam.

If she can, then my daughter can.

I bowed low and knocked my head to the floor. “Thank you, Madam. From now on, this concubine will obey your every word.”

She helped me up. “We’re all one family-don’t call yourself a slave anymore. From now on, I’ll call you Xiao Yao.”

It was the same way my mother addressed me, and suddenly I felt an inexplicable calm.

After seeing the Madam came the long wait.

The Second Master didn’t come into my room until it was fully dark. His honest face was still honest, but he took a hairpin from his sleeve and said, “Ah Yuan says that not being able to ride in a bridal sedan is a lifelong grievance for you, and told me to give you something to cheer you up. I don’t understand these things-see if you like it?”

Taking the hairpin, I said with genuine delight, “Thank you, Master. This concubine likes it-likes it very much.”

How could I not like it?

A Master’s Wife who would have her lord give a gift to a concubine; a lord who so respects his Master’s Wife-after all my careful choosing, I truly didn’t choose wrong.