Chapter 3

I offered to bring the mistress into our household.

Once Qi Lei recovered from his shock, he said, “How generous of you.”

His father threw down his chopsticks on the spot.

“Absurd! Making a mistress an honored concubine, with a lavish celebration besides? Do you think this family runs a bank?”

His mother was harsher. “Two hundred taels. Not one copper more. She can come or stay away.”

Thoroughly humiliated by their scolding, Qi Lei came straight to my courtyard to vent his anger.

“Are you a pig? Yingying was only joking, and you went straight to my parents and exaggerated everything. You’ve made the elders dislike her before she’s even entered the household. Was that your intention?”

I wept and choked out, “My husband, you know how literal-minded I am. I can never tell a joke from the truth. That was how I made such a dreadful mistake.”

Qi Lei faltered, then said coldly, “Whether you really didn’t understand or did it on purpose, you will make proper arrangements for Yingying’s arrival. She must not be slighted.”

Then he softened his tone. “And there’s no need to be jealous of her. She comes from a respectable family and only had to give herself to me because disaster struck her household. She’s always known the rules and when to advance or retreat. Even once she’s here, she will never overstep you. You’re the mistress of the house. Be generous.”

He sounded exactly like a boss patting an employee on the shoulder and saying, “Keep it up. I have faith in you.”

In a voice full of injured restraint, I said, “I understand. I certainly won’t slight Miss Liu.”

When his expression eased, I put on a troubled look. “But my husband, Mother will give only two hundred taels. That really is too shabby for Miss Liu. As for the rest of the money, perhaps you…”

“How much are you short?”

“Miss Liu wants Brocade Pavilion’s finest embroideress to hand-stitch her gown. At least a thousand taels. The jeweled headdress, gold filigree set with rubies, will be eight hundred for the set. Then there are the silks, jewelry, tea cakes, the banquet…”

I recited each item, growing smoother and more fluent with every expense.

Qi Lei’s face changed several times.

Seeing him begin to waver, I hurried on. “Of course I know this puts you in a difficult position. Miss Liu comes from a respectable family and only turned to you after misfortune struck. If her entrance is too shabby, people will call the Qi family mean and say that you… can’t even afford a concubine.”

“You’re an official. Appearances matter more than anything.”

I added fuel to the fire. “Besides, Miss Liu is so sensible and proper. If you welcome her in style, she’ll be grateful and all the more respectful and obedient once she’s here. This money will be well spent.”

After a long silence, Qi Lei gritted his teeth and gave me a thousand taels.

“Just arrange it as you would for an ordinary concubine.” He averted his eyes, then added, “Yingying has always been understanding. She won’t mind.”

I took the banknotes, rubbed their edges between my fingers, and smiled.

I couldn’t say whether Miss Liu would mind.

But emptying Qi Lei’s private purse to fatten my own?

That was my specialty.