Scharlachroter Regen überflutet die Stadt

Kapitel 2

Lu Li bowed again, thanked me, and turned to go straight to the main room without looking at me. I complained inwardly but kept quiet. Fourth Sister-in-law blinked, saw through my act, and took my hand, smiling, "Sister-in-law, let me take you to meet your sisters-in-law and younger sisters first."

Upon seeing us enter, the younger ones all stood up, and the maids and female officials rushed over to greet us.

I sat down next to my fourth sister-in-law.

The older woman, presumably the eldest sister-in-law, helped me up with one hand and turned to the fourth sister-in-law with a smile, saying, "Now that we have a seventh sister-in-law, there's plenty to talk about and plenty to make a fuss about."

I forced a smile, unsure of what to say in this situation.

I looked around, trying to find my second sister, the Crown Princess, whom I hadn't seen for a year.

"The Crown Prince's family is unwell and it's inconvenient for them to come," my sister-in-law whispered cautiously in my ear. Before I could even think, my sisters-in-law pulled me aside for a chat.

"Greetings, sisters-in-law." A sweet voice rang out. I turned my head and saw a delicate young woman walking towards me, wearing a gold jacket and a pale yellow long skirt that flowed gracefully.

"This is Xiwen, the daughter of the late General Zhenguo. She has always served the Empress and is now our eighth sister-in-law," my fourth sister-in-law introduced in my ear.

Xiwen walked up to me with a smile, "Your new sister-in-law is truly a beauty."

My face flushed red, and I was about to decline when her next words made me swallow hard.

"I'm afraid he'll steal all of Seventh Brother's thunder."

Although it was a joke, it made me feel embarrassed. My fourth sister-in-law gently covered my hand and said with a smile, "Xiwen, your little mouth has been spoiled by the Empress Dowager."

Xi Wen smiled slightly, "This isn't because the Empress spoiled him, it's because Seventh Brother spoiled him from the very beginning."

I didn't think much of it, but the expressions around me changed, and everyone looked at each other. I couldn't help but glance at Xiwen again, and I guessed pretty much what she was thinking. Fortunately, I didn't care.

Fourth Sister-in-law quickly changed the subject, saying, "Look at my memory! I just promised Mother that if you came, I would take you to see her first. Go to the main room and call Seventh Brother out. I'll prepare to take you to the East Courtyard."

I stood up, bowed to all the sisters-in-law, and then withdrew. As I walked to the courtyard gate, I remembered that I had left the hand warmer on the seat, so I turned around and went back.

As I approached the door of the side room, I heard my fourth sister-in-law's reproachful voice coming from inside.

"Xiwen, I can't scold you in front of the princess, but you should at least be mindful of your manners, shouldn't you?"

Xi Wen looked aggrieved. "What am I lacking compared to her? Why isn't that position mine?"

"You're talking nonsense again. Be careful that these words get out, or the Emperor won't let you off the hook."

“I can say the same thing even in front of the Emperor.”

"Eighth sister-in-law—" Fourth sister-in-law's voice softened, "We know your suffering, but we can't put all the blame on Seventh sister-in-law, can we? She's the most pitiful one too."

I couldn't go into that room, so I headed towards the main house. I stood at the door for a while, hesitating. Lu Li was talking to some brothers inside, and bursts of laughter could be heard from time to time. It was very cold outside, and I didn't have a hand warmer. I was afraid that if I just barged in like that, I would be laughed at.

He could only sit on the porch, breathing heavily, waiting for them to disperse.

A man in a gray robe approached from a distance. He strode towards the main house, and I guessed he might be one of the older brothers, so I tugged at his sleeve as he passed. He met my gaze coldly, which startled me for a moment. This man was truly formidable.

"Master—" I didn't think much and blurted out, "I don't know which branch of the family you belong to, but I suppose it's about the same." I smiled slightly.

He was taken aback, his gaze softening slightly. "You're Seventh Brother's wife?"

Before I could answer, he added, "It is Princess Zhaozhi."

I nodded and looked at him. "Could you please go inside and pass on a message for me? Fourth Sister-in-law wants to take me to see the Empress and has come to call my husband. I'm afraid that going in will spoil his fun, so I'd appreciate it if you could pass on a message."

He paused, then said, "Fine, just follow me in."

I nodded hastily and followed behind.

As soon as he stepped into the main room, there was a deathly silence. Everyone, young and old, bowed to him, saying, "Fourth Brother."

Lu Li was among them. When he saw me following behind him, he looked up and was taken aback.

Fourth Brother brushed the snow off himself and sat down in front of the stove. "Brothers, don't be so formal. Let's chat."

Lu Li stood up and walked to my side. "What are you doing here?" he said calmly, but there was a hint of reproach in his voice.

"Hey, your sister-in-law has already learned to keep an eye on her husband as soon as she stepped in." It was unclear which brother was speaking.

Fourth Brother coughed twice, and the surroundings fell silent. He waved his hand and said, "Third Brother, don't lose your composure. My sister-in-law just came to ask Seventh Brother to go to Mother's place. She stood at the door for a long time in the cold and didn't dare to come in."

Fortunately, my fourth brother took care of things for me, otherwise I would have really lost face.

Lu Li's face darkened. "If that's the case, just send the servants. Why bother with all this..."

I tried to keep smiling, but I felt incredibly ridiculous.

“Yes, Master is right.” I deliberately raised my voice, and Lu Li was only startled. I stared at him, “But Master, please don’t misunderstand that this humble concubine is willing to come to you. If it weren’t for my sister-in-law asking me to come to you, this humble concubine probably wouldn’t have even stepped into this house. Today, I’m sorry that I’ve dirtied the floors of all of you gentlemen.”

Everyone in the room, young and old, blushed and paled after hearing what I said. Even my fourth brother looked at me with slight surprise.

Lu Li remained calm. "What did I say to you that made you so angry? You can't be so presumptuous in front of your brother."

I pursed my lips, turned around and bowed to everyone in the room, saying, "This humble concubine has lost face and acted presumptuously. I hope you gentlemen will be magnanimous and forgive me."

I turned to leave, but stopped by the door and glanced at him sideways. "I'd like to ask you one last question, Your Majesty: Mother, are you going or not?"

Lu Li frowned, took a few steps forward, and pulled me towards the backyard.

"Don't be so presumptuous next time..." He glared at me.

I broke free from his hand and stood in the corridor. "You think I'm allowed to be disrespectful, but you're allowed to bully others?"

He looked at me, both amused and exasperated, and said, "How have I bullied you this time?"

I swallowed hard, bit my lip, and remained silent.

Remembering what my fourth sister-in-law said about me being the most pitiful, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

“I waited at the door for so long, and you let my brothers humiliate me like this as soon as I went in.”

He smiled faintly, "Didn't Fourth Brother speak up for you? Besides... this kind of thing could have been done by a servant, but you foolishly waited."