chapter 9

Since that day, Sister-in-law has only done two things: first, teaching me how to read the account books; second, preparing the ceremony for my brother to take a concubine.

She probably didn’t want to deal with my brother anymore, so she kept me studying late into the night and had me sleep in her room. Whenever my brother came by, she would smile and say, “Ruyi is sleeping here. Yaoniang needs someone to look after her right now, so you should go to her courtyard.”

Even the servants in the house were gossiping, saying that Sister-in-law had changed her nature and was turning from a Rouge Tiger into a gentle cat.

I thought my brother would stay oblivious forever, but when Sister-in-law actually started preparing his concubine ceremony herself-carefully instructing the servants on every purchase, even hanging red silk in Yaoniang’s courtyard-he finally seemed to wake up a little.

That night, after drinking too much at a social gathering, he staggered drunkenly to knock on Sister-in-law’s door.

Sister-in-law pretended not to hear him, so he slumped outside the door, mumbling like a child: “Wife, I went to Drunken Spring Pavilion again today. Where’s your Rolling Pin? Why don’t you come after me with it anymore?

Yaoniang says I’ve tamed you, that you’ll be a gentle Wife from now on, but I suddenly got so scared while I was drinking today. I suddenly remembered, ever since I brought Yaoniang back, have you ever hit me, even once?

Zhiyue, good Zhiyue, say something. You’re just angry at me for a while, you’re not planning to leave me, right?”

The last sentence he asked very softly, full of fear, as if as long as Sister-in-law said yes, he would give up taking Yaoniang as a concubine.

Only then did Sister-in-law open the door, looking down at him and saying, “You’re drunk and delirious. Don’t let your imagination run wild. Go to sleep.”

Seeing the door open, my brother seemed to see a ray of hope. He grabbed Sister-in-law’s legs and pulled hard, pressing his lips toward hers.

I was standing behind Sister-in-law, about to speak up and say I was still there, when Sister-in-law turned her face away to avoid him, freed one foot, and kicked him out in one swift motion.

The cold wind howled outside. Sister-in-law said to me in a low voice, “It’s too cold. Have someone take him back to the next courtyard.”

I personally escorted my drunken brother over and saw Yaoniang’s light on, serving him with warm soup and bedding. I thought, this is fine too-if she keeps my brother occupied, he won’t have time to bother Sister-in-law.