Chapter 2
Late that night, in our room,
I clutched my handkerchief and sighed.
I missed the early days of our marriage terribly.
Back then, Cui Shiyu was so busy with official duties that he could go months without coming home.
Even when he did, he rarely spoke to me, and usually slept in his study.
Our conjugal duties were scheduled for the first of each month.
Once, and once only.
Cui Shiyu said overindulgence was bad for the health.
But tonight…
He emerged from the washroom with his clothes in disarray.
“What are you thinking about, my dear?”
The room was filled with the rich scent of orchids.
In the flickering candlelight, I actually thought Cui Shiyu looked rather delectable.
“Nothing.”
He sat down on the bed.
“Since you’ve chosen me, you should send your kept lover away.”
Had I chosen him?
If I chose Cui Shiyu, he would listen to me.
If I didn’t choose Cui Shiyu, I would have to listen to him.
What sort of logic was that?
“If you can’t bear to do it, leave it to your husband. Whose son is he?”
“No need… I-I’ll tell him myself.”
An ordinary kept lover would have been one thing. Qin Yanwei was anything but ordinary.
If I broke with him, how would this life differ from the last?
No. I absolutely couldn’t end it!
Pretending not to see Cui Shiyu’s ravenous gaze,
I pulled the covers over my head and slept until dawn.
The bed beside me was empty.
Cui Shiyu had gone to court.
I scrambled into my clothes and hurried to Qin Yanwei’s little courtyard house.
Oh. Qin Yanwei had gone to court too.
His elderly servant brought me tea and told me to drink while I waited.
After a great deal of thought, I decided that since Cui Shiyu wouldn’t release me,
I would simply wait for Qin Yanwei to become emperor and decree the divorce.
Whether I ended up with Qin Yanwei didn’t matter.
I couldn’t go on living with Cui Shiyu, that much was certain.
Suddenly, familiar voices sounded outside.
“Your first visit, Brother Cui, and such poor hospitality. Forgive me.”
“Not at all, Brother Qin.”
That mild, even voice.
Who else could it be but Cui Shiyu?
I leapt up and scurried about the room like a headless chicken.
Damn it. How had Cui Shiyu and Qin Yanwei become involved with each other?
There was no back door. In desperation, I hid behind the screen.
Qin Yanwei came in and saw the tea on the table, still warm.
He paused. “Has my lady been here?”
“She was here just a moment ago…” said the old servant. “Perhaps she heard someone coming and went elsewhere.”
Qin Yanwei laughed aloud. “My wife is shy. Do forgive her, Brother Cui.”
“Think nothing of it,” Cui Shiyu said.
The two sat down and chatted merrily.
“I only wish we’d met sooner,” Qin Yanwei said.
Cui Shiyu smiled. “As do I.”
“Why don’t we become sworn brothers today?”
“You’re a few years older. You’ll be the elder brother, and I’ll be the younger. From now on, we shall be one family.”
“Very well.”
The screen was much too narrow.
I hunched beneath the bookcase like a little quail.
Outside, they were swearing brotherhood. Inside, I was breaking out in a cold sweat.
Then Qin Yanwei brought up crabs. “My wife adores them. Last time, she ate two platefuls all by herself.”
“What a coincidence,” Cui Shiyu agreed. “So does mine.”
“My wife enjoys polo and cuju football.”
“Mine too.”
“Oh, and this is a scented sachet my wife embroidered for me.”
“…”
“Brother Cui?”
“I’ve just remembered something I must attend to at home. Excuse me.”
The moment Cui Shiyu left, I dashed out.
Qin Yanwei pressed close, delighted.
“Has that wretched man gone away again, Zhaozhao? The crabs I bought are huge and plump. Stay for a meal.”
“I can’t.” I began taking out the silk cloths, handkerchiefs, love letters, and other tokens of longing. “My husband is keeping a close watch on me. He’s making me break up with you.”
Qin Yanwei froze, then burst out angrily,
“How can he be so narrow-minded and intolerant? When have I ever held his presence against him?”
I glanced at him.
Was it really generosity?
More like he had no choice.
Anyway—
“I won’t be able to visit for a while. This silver…”
I remembered who he was, but handed it over anyway.
“Keep it. Buy yourself something you like.”
When I had set the money aside, I hadn’t known he was the crown prince.
I’d felt sorry for him, afraid he might have to do without anything Cui Shiyu had.
So I’d brought quite a lot.
Qin Yanwei hugged the bundle, his eyes brimming with tears.
“When will you come again?”
“Hmm… when my husband goes away on business, I suppose.”
“As long as he’s away on business?”
Qin Yanwei looked thoughtful.
I paid no attention. I was too busy scrambling through the dog hole to escape.