Chapter 2

I was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Xuanping; Shao Jing’an was the second legitimate son of the Earl of Wu’an.

My father wielded considerable power. The Earl of Wu’an was merely an idle nobleman.

When our families arranged the marriage, everyone in the capital had been puzzled.

I knew the reason. Father had had several dealings with Jing’an and concluded that he was destined for greater things. More than once, he had helped advance him at court.

Grateful for Father’s recognition, and entranced by my beauty after seeing me, Jing’an had asked for my hand. He solemnly promised that he would take no concubine unless he reached forty without a son.

Only then had my doting father relented and agreed to the match.

And now, a mere ten years later, although I had borne him a son and a daughter, Jing’an had long forgotten his promise.

I stood at the window, staring blankly at the clump of gardenias outside.

After a long while, I pressed a handkerchief to my eyes.

*

Jing’an and I had known loving days, too.

That was just after we married.

One morning, he volunteered to paint my eyebrows.

I looked at him doubtfully. “You know how to do that?”

He assured me in all earnestness, “Such a little thing? What could your husband possibly not know how to do?”

I almost believed him, and let him have his way with my face.

When I finally looked into the bronze mirror again, two thick, crooked caterpillars stared back at me.

They were so ugly that tears sprang to my eyes.

He apologized in a low voice. “My dear, it’s all my fault. Let me wipe them off. Don’t cry. I’ll take you out in a moment.”

After a great deal of coaxing, he finally made me laugh through my tears.

He took me through every street and alley in the capital.

Anything delicious or amusing, he bought for me.

He took me to temple fairs and lantern festivals. In a crowd, he held my hand so tightly that it hurt. When I teased him for hurting me, he laughed and said he had to hold on: what if someone stole his wife away?

Back then I thought marriage had made me even freer than I had been before.

Father had judged him well after all. I had married the right man.

Later, I became pregnant. He no longer took me out, but he still brought back any interesting things or treats he came across.

During the pregnancy, I made a show of suggesting that he take a concubine or a bedchamber maid.

He refused on principle. Hadn’t he promised my father that he would take no concubine unless he was forty and still without a son?

My heart had been sweet as honey.

In time, Father decided that all this constant play would not do.

He used his connections to raise Jing’an’s position at court again.

Jing’an grew busy then, rushing about all day without a moment to spare.

My heart ached for him. I made soups and broths myself and took them to him.

He held my hand, his words full of feeling. “My dear, this is hard on you. In a few years, I promise I’ll spend proper time with you.”

“What are you saying?” I replied with a smile. “You work so hard for our family.”

He laughed. “They say a man should marry a virtuous woman. The ancients spoke truly.”

I blushed, secretly rather pleased.

After I gave birth to our daughter, Father again used his connections to secure Jing’an the post of Jiangzhou Transport Commissioner.

He did keep his promise: when he was posted to Jiangzhou, he took the children and me with him.

For the next two years, he showed no interest in anyone else.

My life in Jiangzhou became more comfortable than ever.

I could not understand what had happened this time, however hard I tried.

And he clearly had no intention of explaining himself.