Chapter 4

And so our days settled into a quiet, orderly routine.

Since I had interrupted him in front of everyone, Zhao Yuhua had made no further attempt to explain himself. He devoted all his attention to official business.

At night he did not come to my room, going instead to his concubines, Lady Liu and Lady Su.

Gradually, gossip spread through the household that the heir did not care for me.

I ignored it. He still ate breakfast with me every day, which gave me a little of the “respect” I was due.

I knew he was “punishing” me, trying to take me down a peg.

But I could not have wished for anything better. I had never wanted to deal with him in the first place.

Every day I had my kitchen make food the children liked, asked carefully after their daily lives, and helped them grow closer to their father.

At first, You was so constrained in Zhao Yuhua’s presence that he hardly dared move his chopsticks.

After a few days, he finally dared speak now and then—at least enough to say, “I want a steamed bun,” or, “I’d like some millet porridge.” Later, the words came more easily.

He was still little, easily guided and influenced by the adults around him.

And children naturally longed for affection. None of them wanted to dislike their own father.

As for me, I was warm and gentle only while the children were present. The moment they left, my face turned cold, and I would not spare Zhao Yuhua another glance.

Even Zhao Yuhua, placid as an old dog, could not quite find his footing in the face of such a dramatic change.

One day, Yun brought me a decorative knot she had made. The work was still childish and rough, but I praised it to the skies.

“How lovely! How beautiful! Is this for Mother, Yun?” I asked with a smile.

Blushing, she said, “Yes.”

I passed the knotted cord to Zhao Yuhua. “Look how clever our Yun is with her hands. She’s just like my sister when she was little!”

By now he was used to these being the only moments when I acknowledged him. He gave a quiet “Mm.”

I prompted him to say more, a faint threat beneath my voice. “Don’t you agree, husband?”

He glanced at me before saying, “Well done, Yun.”

Sure enough, she was delighted. “I’ll make one for you too, Father!” she said brightly.

“Sister, I want one! I want one too!” You cried.

But Yun said nothing and returned to her seat.

I had noticed some time ago that Yun seemed to dislike You a little.

They were full siblings, and both had lost their mother. Surely they ought to be all the closer for it.

Why were they like this?

While I was lost in thought, the children were taken back to their rooms.

But Zhao Yuhua had not left. “Wife?” he called.

Oh? Why was he still here?

I frowned slightly. “Is there something else, husband?”

Far from taking offense, he looked intrigued. “May I call you by your given name, Wujiu, from now on?”

What had got into him?

I raised an eyebrow. “Call me whatever you wish. It’s only a name.”

“Wujiu,” he said frankly, “we’re husband and wife now. There’s no need for such formality. You may call me Yuhua as well.”

When I said nothing, he went on quietly, “You’ve only just arrived, but you’ve handled everything very well. I’ve noticed. I had worried… that the children would suffer after your sister’s death. I never imagined you would be so considerate toward them…”

Well, even a dog had a heart. It could tell who treated it well.

“You’re too kind, husband,” I said. “It’s only what I ought to do.”

Seeing that I would not use his name, he gave a self-mocking smile. “Never mind. We have years ahead of us. You’re still young and don’t know any better. I’ll be more tolerant.

“But you must remember not to let affection go to your head. As a wife, you should above all be gentle, respectful, and restrained…”

Before he could finish, I set down my teacup with a sharp clack. “I have things to attend to. Excuse me.”

What was wrong with him? Who had the patience for this nonsense?

Even my grandfather wasn’t this overbearing!