chapter 10

But my brother himself called off the concubine-taking ceremony, saying he would wait until the child was born before making any decisions.

Mother was so anxious that blisters formed on her lips, insisting that her eldest grandson could not be born without proper status. Yet my brother was resolute in his refusal. He asked Mother, “Do you still remember the contract I signed with my Wife before the marriage?”

Sister-in-law was far too calm-so calm it frightened him, so calm it finally made him recall that vow.

Mother was stunned for a moment, but quickly shook her head. “Impossible. That was just something to scare people with before the wedding. Our Feng Family has done nothing to wrong her. What woman would leave a good life just because her husband takes a concubine? If word got out, people would laugh at her.”

Mother was a woman shaped by discipline; after all these years, she had never truly understood a woman like Sister-in-law.

After Mother left, I asked my brother, “Brother, since you remember your vow, why did Yaoniang appear?”

He patted my head and gave a bitter smile. “You’re still young, you don’t understand. People are always greedy for more. But don’t worry, your Sister-in-law will always be the most important to me.”

He still didn’t think he was wrong; he called it human nature.

I understood why Sister-in-law put so much effort into the concubine-taking ceremony, and I also understood why my brother suddenly didn’t dare go through with it.

For women in Dazhao, leaving a marriage is not easy; divorce is a hundred times harder than being cast aside. If Sister-in-law hadn’t made my brother sign that contract before their marriage, even if the matter of taking a concubine was brought to any magistrate, it would never result in a divorce.

But even that contract wasn’t easy to sign. Our Feng Family’s clan thought it shameful and refused to agree. It was only because my brother shamelessly begged and spent money that it was finally signed.

At the time, Uncle Qin wrote that if my brother had an affair with another woman, they would divorce. But one of the clan elders thought “having an affair” was too vague, and to save face, insisted on changing it to “taking a concubine” as grounds for divorce.

Back then, my brother was sincere, and Uncle Qin was satisfied, so he agreed to the change.

But sincerity can change. That small amendment back then now means my brother must truly take a concubine before Sister-in-law can leave openly and honorably.