Chapter 4

“My lady, what do you intend to do about this Concubine Zhang?” Chunhe asked anxiously.

Since coming home, Jing’an had spent almost every night in her rooms. On the few nights he came to the main courtyard, I turned him away, pleading ill health.

I had no wish to share a man. It disgusted me.

I smiled. “The letter we sent home should arrive in the next few days, shouldn’t it?”

Chunhe nodded. “Yes. Judging by the time, it should.”

“Then we’ll bear it a little longer,” I said lightly.

“But my lady, what if she conceives?” Chunhe could not understand how I could remain so calm.

“Don’t worry. It will be all right. I know what I’m doing.” I patted her hand. “Has his lordship been drinking the restorative broth we’ve made these past few days?”

“Yes. Every drop.”

“Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

I had added something to that broth. Zhang Yilian wanted a child? Well, that would depend on whether she had the luck.

*

Half a month later, my elder brother, He Wangyue, arrived in Jiangzhou.

“Brother, what brings you here?” I looked at him in delighted surprise.

His gaze darkened, then he smiled. “Passing through on official business. I thought I’d come and see you. Where’s my brother-in-law?”

“Jing’an is at the government offices. I’ll send someone to fetch him. Chunhe, bring my daughter here to meet her uncle.” My joy was genuine.

I had not seen my family in two years. I missed them terribly.

I welcomed my brother into the front hall, where we both sat down.

“Have you been well these past two years? You look much thinner since I last saw you. Does the food here not suit you?” he asked with concern.

My eyes reddened. “Not at all. You must have missed me so much that I’d look thin to you however I looked.”

As we spoke, the nurse carried Yuan in.

I took my daughter into my arms and pointed to him. “Yuan, say hello to your uncle. He’s the uncle who sent you that big horse last New Year.”

Yuan certainly remembered the horse. Made of wood and half as tall as a grown person, it was something she played with every day.

“Uncle, thank you for my big horse. I love it!” As she spoke, she reached from my arms toward his.

I smiled at the sight, patted her bottom, and scolded fondly, “You little flatterer.”

My brother roared with laughter, scooping Yuan up and lifting her high.

Amid their play, Jing’an hurried home.

A good deal of courteous conversation followed, of course.

When it was nearly time for lunch, I smiled and led everyone toward the dining hall.

Turning back, I told Chunhe softly, “Fetch Concubine Zhang too. If the family is dining together, we can hardly leave her out.”

*

We encountered her at the dining-hall entrance.

She hastily bent her knees in greeting.

My brother’s brows drew together. He looked at Jing’an. “Brother-in-law, who is this?”

Jing’an frowned slightly too. “What are you doing here?” he asked her coldly.

She gave him a timid glance. “My lady sent for me.”

His gaze turned to me.

I smiled gently. “I thought, since we were all eating together, it wouldn’t be kind to leave her alone.”

My brother’s face darkened further. “You haven’t answered me, brother-in-law.”

“Brother, she’s the concubine Jing’an took a little while ago,” I put in.

Anger rose in his face. He glared at Jing’an. “Shao Jing’an, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”

“Brother, please… don’t…” I tugged timidly at his sleeve.

He shook me off and pointed at me, berating me. “How many years has it been? How have you become this spineless creature? Where is the spirit of our military family? He promised Father he wouldn’t take a concubine unless he was forty without a son. And after so few years, he can’t keep his hands to himself?”

A shadow crossed Jing’an’s face. In the end, though, he lowered his head and bowed with clasped hands. “Brother, I was wrong. Don’t be angry.”

Again I tugged at my brother’s sleeve. “Brother, my husband had his reasons. He and Concubine Zhang have an old attachment. Don’t make things difficult for him.”

“I’m making things difficult? Have you lost all sense of who’s on your side? Shao Jing’an, you’ll explain yourself today, or I’m taking my sister back to the He family.” My brother’s voice grew fiercer.

At this, my eyes reddened. I covered my face and wept.

Jing’an looked worse still, but made himself more humble. “Brother, it truly is my fault. I admit it. Hit me, curse me, do what you will. Don’t take it out on Youxuan.”

At those words, my brother swung his fist and charged at Jing’an.

Jing’an went white and dodged clumsily.

The blow struck the pillar behind him.

With a tremendous thud, it shook, leaving a deep impression of my brother’s fist.

He drew his hand back. “Do you think you could take even one punch from me?”

Jing’an’s face was ashen.

*

My brother led the way into the dining hall, took the central chair, and said, “Well? How are you going to settle this?”

Jing’an remained silent. Zhang Yilian trembled behind him, even less willing to speak.

I lowered my eyes to hide the mockery in them and dabbed my reddened lids with my handkerchief.

Behind it, my smile held a private meaning.

“Nothing to say? Then I’ll speak. Tomorrow, I’m taking this woman to the capital.”

“No.” Jing’an blurted it out almost before my brother had finished.

My brother’s expression turned thunderous. “Then what do you propose?”

After a moment’s silence, Jing’an said, “She’s already given herself to me. I cannot simply send her away. Let me keep her in the rear courtyard as a plaything, Brother.”

My brother sneered. “And what good is that rubbish? Ha. Very well. Very well indeed, Shao Jing’an. You’ve got some nerve.”

Jing’an said nothing.

Silence settled over the room.

My brother stood, strode rapidly around the room, and punched the wall again.

At last he said coldly, “She must not bear a child. That’s the least I’ll accept. Otherwise, I’ll take Youxuan and the children back to our family.”

Zhang Yilian went pale and reached for the hem of Jing’an’s robe.

He seemed not to notice. Raising his head, he answered, “Agreed.”

Only then did my brother’s expression ease a little.

When neither spoke again, I stepped forward. “Then let us eat first. Chunhe, have the food brought in at once.”