Chapter 15

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Yuan Niang only acted spoiled in front of him; in truth, she was a kind-hearted girl who would never mistreat Mei Niang. After saying this, he fixed his deep eyes steadily on Huang Shiyu.

How could the privileged sons of the Wu Yi clan be aware of the allure of countless beauties? Not even most common men possessed such awareness.

Young Jian Xun thought he could, like other men, have a delicate wife and beautiful concubines in his arms.

Huang Shiyu pondered Jian Xun’s words and concluded that the woman he had in mind was a virtuous and gentle lady.

She couldn’t help but mutter: Such a fine girl, it’s uncertain whether she even likes you—what’s there to be proud of?

In Huang Shiyu’s eyes, it was quite normal for a girl not to fancy Jian Xun.

She was completely unaware of Jian Xun’s charm; subconsciously, she did not regard him as a dangerous man, not even truly as a man at all.

He was merely a kindly noble.

Jian Xun tilted his head and looked at her. “You’re not secretly speaking ill of me in your heart, are you?”

“Not so obvious,” Huang Shiyu smiled awkwardly. “I’m not that kind of person.”

“You always insult me directly,” Jian Xun laughed. “Then let me ask you: if your husband dotes on you most of all, would you be willing to coexist peacefully with his other women?”

Huang Shiyu immediately replied, “No, I would beat him up badly.”

Jian Xun hesitated for a moment, then said coldly, “Then you have committed one of the seven grounds for divorce. A good girl like you should not behave like a jealous village wife, sulking and causing trouble without reason.”

After uttering the words “jealous wife,” he stared at her without blinking.

Huang Shiyu’s indignation was instantly ignited. “Jealous wife or not, why single out village women? I’m a commoner too! We all eat and drink to live—surely even your noble families feel jealousy?”

“They do, but then they are no longer good girls. They provoke their husbands’ displeasure, displease their mothers-in-law, and end up being sent away or divorced,” Jian Xun said gently.

Then he asked her, “Do you want to become such a person?”

Me? Huang Shiyu pointed at her small nose and shook her head. “Of course not, I could never become like that!”

She was still innocent, living in hope. “My husband and I will surely become the best companions in the world, meeting every day, sharing the same interests. We will only be good to each other, with no third party.”

Jian Xun snorted quietly and fell silent.

Huang Shiyu thought she had silenced him with her retort and felt quite pleased with herself.

He hadn’t ruled out the possibility that Huang Shiyu would mind sharing her husband with others, but so what? Being with him was still far better than marrying the likes of Li Fugui or Pei Shengzhi.

The number of women around them would only grow.

At present, any man with a title or some status had wives and concubines in abundance. Even a scholar like Huang Xiucai had a concubine; Jian Xun’s family background and status were far superior.

In the future, having only one wife and one concubine would be considered virtuous among noble sons.

They didn’t expect Huang Shiyu to be especially virtuous or gentle—that was the rightful duty of the legal wife. The concubine only had to avoid crossing the line to receive his greatest favor.

Concubines existed to be indulged.

Therefore, he had always been very accommodating to her, never demanding too much.

This accommodation had even developed into regularly having to be careful around her, soothing her with kind words and gentle tones.

Realizing this, Jian Xun didn’t wish to probe further.

He looked at Huang Shiyu, who was leaning by the window—so delicate and fragrant, dressed in a pale yellow crêpe silk gown and a gardenia-white summer blouse, truly beautiful. Her lively eyes stared out at the receding green shade.

The world she saw was filled with wonder and kindness, each moment a moving painting. He wished he had pen and paper to carefully depict it.

Approaching the front door, she suddenly remembered something important and nudged Jian Xun’s arm with her elbow. “We saw Pei Sheng’s mistress together. When Father asks you later, don’t forget to say more for me. Better to tell everything truthfully; I guess Madam Huang won’t blame me anymore.”

Privately, Huang Shiyu had already begun calling her stepmother Madam Huang.

Jian Xun gave a short “hm” and said quietly, “I will explain everything to the teacher. You should go back now; no need to worry further.”

“Is that okay?” Huang Shiyu hesitated but then nodded firmly. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

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Jian Yunzhang was still the more considerate one.

If she handled it herself, there would be much back-and-forth; with him, it would probably be settled in a single sentence.

The weight of people’s influence often differed vastly. In Father’s heart, Jian Yunzhang was as heavy as Mount Tai.

He had once again helped a great deal. Huang Shiyu tilted her head to look at Jian Xun, gently biting her lip as she smiled at him. “Jian Yunzhang, you are truly kind!”

Jian Xun forced a small smile. “I have always been kind to you.”

“I will be kind to you too,” Huang Shiyu said, now considering Jian Xun a person worthy of deep friendship.

“How so?” Jian Xun’s deep eyes glimmered faintly.

Huang Shiyu declared loyally, “If there’s ever anything I can help you with, just say the word.”

“All right.”

Jian Xun dismounted the carriage ahead of her, standing beside a long bench and raising his left hand, palm down, into a fist. His long sleeves covered the back of his hand, allowing Huang Shiyu to grasp it freely without reservation.

He truly was a graceful young gentleman, Huang Shiyu thought to herself.

Since getting out of the carriage, Amber had worn a worried expression, silently trailing behind Huang Shiyu, her eyes fixed on Jian Xun beside the second young lady.

His hand was very proper.

But what happened in the unseen carriage compartment, no one could tell.

The Huang family courtyard was not large; turning left past the screen wall and walking a hundred paces led to the study. During a momentary errand inside, Huang Shiyu hid behind an elm tree and stole a glance.

Jian Xun turned and caught sight of her in an instant.

He smiled faintly.

Huang Shiyu quickly withdrew, heart fluttering as she returned to the backyard.

Though she hadn’t found the desired book at the bookstore, she had spent much effort, so much so that she forgot to visit her sister in Locust Alley. She felt guilty and decided to make some of her sister’s favorite snacks by hand and bring them over early the next morning.

“Amber sister, why are you so slow?”

Even as Huang Shiyu purposely quickened her steps, the person behind her did not catch up.

Amber looked up at Huang Shiyu, her pupils flickering. Her lips twitched as she forced a smile. “It’s my fault. After a day’s walking, my legs feel heavy. I can’t keep up with the second young lady.”

“I’m heavy too,” Huang Shiyu didn’t mind at all and took her hand. “Come, let’s soak our feet together.”

Amber sighed. “Then I’ll go fetch hot water. You go sit inside first.”

Before long, Huang Shiyu had her feet soaking.

Amber was a delicate person. Not only did she know how to make rose jelly, but she also liked to scatter flower petals while Huang Shiyu bathed.

Even soaking feet was accompanied by petals—homegrown jasmine.

The scent was fragrant, and Huang Shiyu felt content.

She had exquisitely beautiful, pale white slender feet; her ten toenails were pinkish and translucent, glowing with health. Perhaps because she found them pretty, she playfully splashed the water.

Amber remained somber, seemingly burdened with thoughts.

Although she usually spoke little, at this moment Huang Shiyu keenly sensed something was amiss.

“Amber sister, if something troubles you, you can speak of it to ease your heart. Even if it can’t be solved, it’s better than bottling it up alone,” Huang Shiyu said.

Amber’s gaze froze. After a pause, she cautiously said, “Second young lady, do you still remember when I came to the Huang family?”

Without hesitation, Huang Shiyu answered, “Seven years ago.”

Seven years ago, Amber was eighteen.

“Do you want to know what happened to Amber before coming to the Huang family?”

“As long as Amber sister thinks it’s okay, I certainly want to hear it.” Huang Shiyu held her hand.

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What good memories could a slave or maid have? Either they lost their parents young or had unkind ones. All were unworthy to recall; thinking of it was like reopening wounds. Therefore, Huang Shiyu had never asked on her own.

Now that Amber sister wanted to speak, she was naturally willing to listen.

Amber gave a cold smile and calmly recounted her past.

Originally, she was also a daughter of a good family, with over a hundred acres of fertile land, living a life free of want. Her parents treated her like a treasured pearl.

At fifteen, Amber was exquisitely beautiful, graceful and slender. After coming of age, suitors swarmed to seek her hand, but none caught her eye.

For she had already set her heart on the young master of a wealthy local family.

Every summer, the family’s legitimate grandson studying in the capital would come to the countryside to escape the heat.

The dashing young master was not only handsome but also talented, showing Amber great favor and care. He often invited her to watch the lantern festival.

The countryside was less strict than the city, but a young lady frequently interacting with a young man, even riding in the young master's carriage more than once, soon sparked gossip.

Gradually, Amber felt the whispers and the prodding behind her back.

A girl’s face was thin-skinned; she ran home, locked the door, and wept.

At her most sorrowful moment, the young master suddenly confessed his feelings. He too liked and cherished her.

Huang Shiyu was moved, thinking two hearts united—it was so beautiful. Why then had Amber sister fallen into such a plight?

Amber continued calmly.

The social hierarchy in the capital was strict; a countryside girl and a noble young master could never truly be together. But the young master had endless sweet words and tricks, coaxing Amber’s body and heart. Even if she were only a concubine, she accepted her fate.

She cried, caused a scene, and threatened to hang herself to force her parents to sign the contract selling her as a concubine. From then on, she and the young master soared together like mandarin ducks, envied by none, enjoying a sweet summer in the countryside before following him back home.

The young master was the legitimate eldest son of the prefect of Baotian Prefecture. The household already had a legal wife, three concubines, and two courtesans. The servants called Amber “Fourth Aunt.”

At the start, the mistress was tolerant and kind. The young master was affectionate, and Amber enjoyed nearly a year of close intimacy. But after the fifth concubine arrived, their love quietly faded.

A year later, the sixth concubine came.

Amber found that the young master no longer visited her room for long; he would occasionally come, say a few words, then leave impatiently.

Her belly was uncooperative—two years passed with no sign of pregnancy.

She later learned that concubines were not allowed to conceive; after serving the young master, they had to drink the so-called “contraceptive soup.”

Only the favored noble consort and the most beloved concubine were permitted to bear children.

Even with the close intimacy they once shared, Amber was not the young master’s favorite and therefore not worthy of children.

Without children and losing the young master’s favor, Amber came to understand just how terrifying the seemingly smiling, generous, and gentle mistress truly was.

Amber paused suddenly, falling into deep silence. After a moment, she spoke softly but did not describe what the mistress had done to her. Instead, she simply said she had violated the master’s taboo and was sold off.

The mistress, pitying Amber for having served the young master, and knowing the young master’s supposed loyalty and affection, could not bear to have Amber sold into a brothel and instead sold her to a respectable family—the Huang family.

Amber looked at Huang Shiyu and suddenly smiled. “This is the first half of my tragic life. My parents died of worry because of me. I wish for you, second young lady, to always stay clear-headed and cherish yourself, guard your body and mind, and be cautious with your words and actions…”

Huang Shiyu stood there stunned.

Amber lowered her eyes and smiled. “Not all concubines are allowed to bear children. Most are merely objects to satisfy their master’s desires—used when needed and then made to take medicine. Bearing heirs is the mistress’s duty. Only the man’s most treasured women live with dignity. But a woman’s beauty lasts only a fleeting moment. How can one always be the beloved?”

These words should not be spoken to an unmarried young girl.

However, if someone had told fifteen-year-old Amber this, her later life would not have been so bleak.

Therefore, Amber shared her story with the still innocent and naive second young lady.