Chapter 6
Several times, my husband tried to speak plainly to Shen Zhiyan.
Every time, Pei Shuyuan changed the subject.
By the time Shen Zhiyan moved out, my husband still hadn’t found the right opportunity.
He thought something was amiss with Pei Shuyuan.
He watched him for a while. Pei Shuyuan didn’t seem to be seeking me out, or paying me much attention at all.
Only after testing him several more times about fathering a child for us, and being refused every time, did my husband feel reassured.
A problem arose at his shop in town. He had to go and deal with it, which would take about a fortnight.
“My darling,” he said, “when I get back, I’ll explain everything to Brother Shen.”
After last time, I didn’t dare answer too readily.
“Husband, this isn’t something we can force. If it really won’t work, let’s leave it.”
“Don’t worry, my darling. Leave it to me.”
Once my husband was gone,
Pei Shuyuan began finding all sorts of ways to walk past me again.
One day, I took a basket of peaches to give him, only to collide with him at a turn in the corridor.
Neither of us was hurt, but the peaches scattered across the floor.
I crouched to pick them up.
Pei Shuyuan did the same.
We reached for the same peach, and his hand closed over the back of mine.
He let go at once.
Picking up another peach, he handed it to me and said with a blush, “Forgive me, Sister-in-law. I didn’t mean to.”
I offered him the basket.
“It’s all right. These were for you anyway. Take them and enjoy them.”
I turned to leave, but a hand caught my wrist.
I looked back at Pei Shuyuan.
“Was there something else?”
He began blushing again. “Sister-in-law… don’t go to Shen Zhiyan,” he stammered.
I lowered my head shyly.
“My husband decided it. I do as he says.”
Pei Shuyuan grew agitated. He pulled me closer, turning me to face him.
“This isn’t right. You can’t let my cousin do whatever he likes.”
“But he’s doing it for our sake.”
Pei Shuyuan looked thoroughly exasperated with me.
“If my cousin can’t have children, you can divorce him.”
“Once you do, marry me. I’m healthy. I can have children. I’ll work hard to pass the examinations, and I promise I’ll give you a good life.”
…
My husband only wanted a child from him. He wanted to take the wife as well.
After admitting his feelings, Pei Shuyuan grew rather bold.
He was already handsome. Once he started taking pains with his appearance, it was even harder to look away.
“Sister-in-law,” he asked, “do you like me?”
I turned my face away in embarrassment.
How was I supposed to answer that?
Who would believe me if I said no?
“Look at me. I don’t believe you can look at me and feel nothing.”
With my eyes shut, I managed to say,
“Get off the bed. If your cousin finds out, he’ll beat you to death.”
Holding the edges of his collar in both hands, Pei Shuyuan sat on the edge of the bed. “You’re so cold to me now,” he said plaintively.
“Why can’t you like me?”
“If I liked you, what would that make us? We only want you to father a child.”
His face set with determination.
“I will. But you can’t treat me as nothing more than a means to an end.”
He started climbing toward me.
Then he gave a sudden shriek.
My husband had caught his ankle with one hand and was nimbly emerging from beneath the bed…
When on earth had he hidden there?
He shoved Pei Shuyuan out of the room.
Through the door, Pei Shuyuan said softly, “Open up, Sister-in-law. I’m willing.”
My husband furiously traded insults with him through the door.
He told him to stop dreaming.
A few days later,
my husband invited Shen Zhiyan over for wine.
Shen Zhiyan had clearly bathed, changed, and dressed with care.
After bringing him into our room, my husband left.
I watched without blinking as he shut the door behind him.
Things were rather awkward in the room.
Shen Zhiyan stood in the middle of it.
“Madam, I…”
He paused before continuing.
“What I wanted to say is, my family owns a hundred mu of good farmland and several shops. We’re comfortably off. Everyone in my family is healthy and long-lived. As for my marriage, my parents only want me to be happy. They’re kind people, and they treat my two sisters-in-law very well. We all get along most harmoniously.”
I stared blankly at him.
Why was he telling me all this?
My husband already knew almost everything he needed to know. All Shen Zhiyan had to do now was lie on the bed and close his eyes.
I hadn’t expected so much conversation.
Besides, I had no idea what to say.
He came straight to the point. “Madam… Miss Su. If you are willing to divorce him, I will marry you and treat you well for the rest of my life.”
I stared at him in astonishment.
He wanted the wife as well!
“In truth, I fell deeply in love with you at first sight, Miss Su. But you were already married. I never imagined that circumstances might take such a turn and offer me this chance.”
“Brother Lu knew he couldn’t have children, yet he still asked for your hand. That was utterly irresponsible toward you. Asking you to have another man’s child is an insult…”
Oh. Was it insulting and disrespectful?
But I thought my husband respected me very much. Every man he chose was exceptional, and he even asked whether I was willing.
I had actually thought that after we had our child, I might keep another handsome man who couldn’t father children somewhere outside the house. My husband would probably agree to that too.
After all, he was rich. Supporting a grown man would be no problem.
But those were only private thoughts. I certainly couldn’t say them in front of an outsider.
“Miss Su, divorce him. Marry me. I am the best choi—”
With a thump, before my astonished eyes,
my husband dropped from a roof beam.
He punched Shen Zhiyan in the face.
“You bastard, Shen! What did you promise me? You swore you had no ulterior motives and only wanted to help!”
Shen Zhiyan and my husband began wrestling.
“Stop fighting! Stop! Can’t we talk about this?”
Neither paid me any attention.
They fought with reddened eyes, as though each had some bitter feud with the other.
Pei Shuyuan had been invited out drinking by other fellow students that day.
He said he had suspected something was wrong when he didn’t see Shen Zhiyan there.
He had hurried all the way home and nearly arrived too late.
“Sister-in-law, come with me!”
Skirting the two struggling men, he came to the bedside and reached for my hand.
But he was immediately dragged into the fight.
My husband cursed through gritted teeth. “Guard against thieves day and night, and you still can’t guard against one in your own house! I’m not even dead, and you’re coveting my wife!”
Pei Shuyuan retorted without restraint, “If you can’t make her happy, step aside for someone who can!”
Shen Zhiyan seized an opening. “I can! In every possible way!”
“Oh, please. You’re not even as big as I am.”
Each of the three fought for himself, trading blows and insults in a hopeless tangle.