chapter 10

My mother-in-law’s eyes widened. She forgot to swallow, and porridge spilled from her mouth onto her neck.

I set down the bowl with a helpless sigh.

“Mother, there is no need for such shock. The Qin family deceived me. Surely I was entitled to vent some anger.”

“Your family plotted away the rest of my life and trapped me in this residence. The entire estate was only fair compensation.”

I rose and wiped my hands clean with a handkerchief.

“Your husband and both your sons have paid me with their lives. Now only you remain.”

“Do not blame me. Blame yourself for offending the wrong woman and destroying your entire family.”

I watched her writhe in helpless fury and smiled with genuine pleasure.

“Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you. When I killed Qin Zhaoyuan, he kept calling for his mother to save him.”

Blood spilled from the corner of her mouth. A heart-rending wail tore from her throat.

Her cries could probably be heard several courtyards away.

With a voice that strong, she ought to live for several more years.

I instructed Xiaotao to send outside for medicine whenever my mother-in-law fell ill. Everyone in the capital had to know what a devoted daughter-in-law I was.

As for the medicine, the deaf-mute old woman could feed it to her when she was pleased and throw it in her face when she was not.

My mother-in-law could neither die nor live well within this residence.

At sunset, my younger brother brought Cheng’er home.

The little boy ran toward me from far away, shouting, “Mother!”

“Uncle taught me to write today.”

I wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“As long as you enjoyed yourself.”

Cheng’er took my hand and skipped at my side.

“I want to study and pass the examinations like Uncle. Then I will be a good son and take care of Mother.”

The wind swept fallen leaves across the vast courtyard.

The child’s voice carried into the distance.