Chapter 4

With my husband’s mistress about to enter the household as an honored concubine—and such an arrogant mistress at that—I instantly became the darling of the wives’ circle.

The ladies taught me skills that could put a vixen in her place and line my pockets at the same time.

I listened attentively and put their lessons into practice. Before the mistress even crossed our threshold, my purse was already bulging.

On the day Liu Yingying arrived, she emerged from her sedan chair in a true-red wedding gown, a gold-and-ruby headdress on her head, triumph in every step.

I had invited all the ladies from our lane to watch the spectacle.

“My, what a procession. Grander than the young Madam Qi’s wedding.”

“Indeed. A true-red gown, too. Tsk. A concubine in true red—what game is the Qi family playing?”

“Young Madam Qi is far too good-natured. I’d have slapped her already.”

I wore a gracious smile while doing sums in my head. Taking a concubine was so profitable. I would have to arrange more of these when the opportunity arose.

When she served me tea, Liu Yingying could barely conceal the challenge in her eyes. She must have thought the lawful wife weak and easily bullied.

I gave her a friendly smile.

Go ahead, Lady Liu. Make all the trouble you like.

I had no intention of competing for his affection. Qi Lei’s love had never been what I wanted.

I only wanted to pick the easiest, least demanding job in his household and eat comfortably into old age.

The very day Liu Yingying entered, my parents-in-law could hardly bear the sight of her.

His mother sneered. “A concubine in true red? Who does she think she is?”

His father was more direct. “She’s disgraced the whole family.”

Oblivious, Liu Yingying brought them their tea.

They left her waiting so long she could barely save face.

The guests’ comments embarrassed Qi Lei, too, and he scolded her for not knowing her place.

Liu Yingying began to sob. “But my husband, Madam arranged the gown and all the ornaments…”

With one sentence, she turned the flames on me.

Fortunately, I had come prepared. I calmly produced a booklet. “These are the documents Concubine Liu signed and marked with her own hand. Everything is perfectly clear—the gown, headdress, betrothal gifts, and banquet. Every item was requested by Concubine Liu, chosen by Concubine Liu, and confirmed with her own fingerprint.”

Qi Lei looked down at it.

Brocade Pavilion’s true-red wedding gown. Chosen by Lady Liu, signed and marked.

The jeweled headdress. Chosen by Lady Liu, signed and marked.

One hundred, eight hundred and eight taels in betrothal gifts. Set by Lady Liu, signed and marked.

Every entry bore Liu Yingying’s signature and red fingerprint.

Qi Lei’s eyes widened. “You made Yingying sign and put her mark on everything?”

I sighed, sounding utterly helpless.

“You blamed me once before because of a joke Concubine Liu made. I’m literal-minded. I can’t tell what’s serious and what’s a joke. Naturally, I had to confirm everything concerning her again and again. Otherwise, an honest fool like me truly couldn’t tell which of her statements she meant and which were jokes.”

“There. Black and white. Plain as day. No room for argument.”

Qi Lei opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

He turned the pages, his face darkening with every one.

At just the right moment, I spoke, my tone troubled. “The thousand taels you gave me still wasn’t enough. I even borrowed from the maids’ wages for this month to cover the shortfall. The servants must be paid at the end of the month, my husband. You’ll have to make up that money.”

Qi Lei jerked his head up. “A thousand wasn’t enough?”

I turned to the back of the ledger and pointed to the long list of expenses.

“Look, my husband. The gown from Brocade Pavilion, the jeweled headdress, the gold filigree and rubies—those alone came to six hundred taels. Then there were the silks, jewelry, tea cakes, the banquet… I tried everything to cut costs, but the people at Brocade Pavilion laughed at me. They said that if we couldn’t afford a concubine, we shouldn’t put on airs…”

My voice sank lower and lower, and so did my head.

“It’s all my fault for managing so poorly and spending too much. Please forgive me.”

Qi Lei stared at the long column of figures in silence.

I stole a glance at him.

Now we would see exactly how much silver that “Yingying must not be slighted” was worth.

His expression was remarkably ugly when he gave me the balance.

Even when Liu Yingying sent a maid to say she was feeling unwell, he made no move.

In the end, I had to push him out of the main bedroom. “My husband, you mustn’t disappoint Concubine Liu on your wedding night.”

Once I had sent him off to the east wing, I shut the door, put away the silver, and opened my ledger. In a neat hand, I wrote:

“Received eighty taels in supplementary funds from Qi Lei.”

Then, on a new line, I added in smaller writing: “Lady Liu’s arrival. Wedding gown and purchases: actual expenditure, one thousand three hundred and eighty-one taels and six mace. Private contribution: one tael and six mace.”

Yes. A mistress of the household, dipping into her own purse to support the family. I really was far too virtuous.