Chapter 3

At the family introductions, I finally met all the earl’s relatives.

The Earl of Jinyang had a flourishing family. His first and second sons were born of his wife; the third and fourth were sons of concubines. There were also several daughters, I heard, all married now.

The Countess looked gentle and kind, though her pale complexion made her poor health obvious.

Lady Li, the second son’s wife who managed the household, combined shrewdness with a domineering manner. Barbs hid in every sentence. I had heard that my sister had always come off worse in their dealings.

Clearly, she meant to put me in my place as well.

After I had met everyone of my own generation, my sister’s children were brought forward by their nurses to greet me.

Yun did well enough, performing her bow correctly. But You shrank back, looking terribly timid.

Zhao Yuhua frowned, displeasure in his eyes. He seemed dissatisfied with his son.

His father’s glare only made You look more frightened.

I sighed inwardly. It was becoming difficult to keep my fists to myself.

After the introductions, the Countess kindly told me to return to my courtyard and rest.

I readily complied and took the children with me.

Once we arrived, I first ordered the servants to settle my dowry and the people I had brought.

Then I told Yun and You, “From now on, you will come here for breakfast every morning.”

Yun had already been instructed by her nurse. She answered solemnly, “Yes, Mother.”

You’s nurse, Madam Song, said softly, “Madam, the young master is still very little… He can’t get up too early. Might I bring him here for supper instead?”

I looked at Madam Song. I had heard that she was devoted to her duties and treated You like her own son. That much appeared true.

But a child left too long in the care of such a narrow-minded woman would never learn to survive in a great household.

“Little You is three,” I said evenly. “He’s no longer that little. I don’t breakfast particularly early. If he goes to bed and gets up on time, there’s no reason he can’t manage it.”

Looking into her eyes, I continued slowly, “The master is busy with his official duties. Breakfast is the only meal he can take at home. You has already lost his birth mother. Must he go all day without seeing his father, too?”

The less time You spent with Zhao Yuhua, the more frightened of him he would become.

A boy could not grow up forever at his nurse’s or mother’s side. He needed his father to teach and guide him as well.

Madam Song faltered. “Yes. As you wish, Madam.”

Seeing Madam Song rebuffed, Yun’s nurse, Madam Zhai, let a faintly smug look show in her eyes.

Once the arrangements were made, I sent the children back to rest.