Scharlachroter Regen überflutet die Stadt

Kapitel 4

"My sister-in-law is drunk..." I took a deep breath and said slowly.

Tears streamed down her face as she poured a full glass of wine at me, the glass shattering with a sharp, clear sound.

The wine spilled all over me. I didn't dodge; I could have, but I didn't want to dodge in such a disheveled way.

"Xiwen has been presumptuous in front of the princess. I hope the princess will punish her." She smiled coldly, completely unconcerned about the fear on everyone's faces as they looked behind her.

"How dare you! What kind of person are you in front of the princess?" A furious roar came from outside the house, and everyone stared in horror at the old figure.

The Emperor walked in and looked at Xiwen, "After all these years in my palace, is all you've learned to do is run wild when you're drunk?"

Xi Wen looked dazed. "Your Majesty... which of my words was wrong? I don't blame the princess... I just despise her for willingly being used by the Emperor, Empress, and Prince. Your Majesty has wanted the 300,000 cavalry under Prince Huai's command for a long time. Exchanging a daughter-in-law for 300,000 cavalry is not a bad thing..."

Xi Wen's words made perfect sense.

Before I could speak, Lu Li had already knelt down. "Father—my sister-in-law is drunk and talking nonsense. Please don't pursue the matter."

“Your Majesty, I have just entered the palace. If this matter were to damage our relationship, it would be even more difficult for me to share a room with my sister-in-law. I hope Your Majesty will spare my sister-in-law this time for my sake.” I said without any emotion, “Besides, I also bear responsibility for this matter.”

The Emperor softened his tone, glanced at me, and waved his hand behind him, saying, "Serve your eighth daughter-in-law back." With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.

I smiled disdainfully to myself. He wasn't really trying to punish Xiwen; he was just trying to provoke me. Indeed, no one in this palace was on my side. I was the only outsider in this entire house.

Several maids served Xiwen as she left, and everyone returned to their seats, the atmosphere still awkward.

I looked at Lu Li and said calmly, "Master, since Eighth Brother isn't here, I'm worried about my sister-in-law going back in this freezing weather. Please take her back."

The surrounding gazes were filled with doubt and surprise. Lu Li raised an eyebrow. "You're so observant." He then stood up.

I sneered inwardly. He probably had this idea all along. Rather than let him bring it up and embarrass me, I might as well do him a favor.

Not long after Lu Li saw Xi Wen off, the banquet ended.

As I waited for the sedan chair in the corridor, Fourth Sister-in-law walked past me and said affectionately, "Our two families live close by, so let's ride together in our carriage. It'll take forever to get here with the sedan chair. Besides, we'll take you with us so Seventh Brother won't worry."

What a joke, he'd worry about me.

Just as I was about to refuse, my fourth sister-in-law had already pulled my hand and led me closer to her car at her residence.

Once in the car, my fourth sister-in-law and I sat in the innermost seat, while my fourth brother leaned against the curtain. He hadn't drunk much today, but his face still showed signs of intoxication.

"I'm sorry you had a fright today," Fourth Sister-in-law said softly, with an apologetic tone.

"It was my ignorance... that dragged everyone down with me." I lowered my head, only glancing out of the corner of my eye at my fourth brother across from me constantly fiddling with the jade pendant at his waist.

"You're considered a sensible daughter-in-law in the household; sensible people are always more tolerant. As for Xiwen... Mother dotes on her, so you should be more accommodating."

I nodded, and Fourth Sister-in-law sighed softly, "As long as Xiwen is given way, nothing will happen. But you and Seventh Brother, if you are not interested in each other, you will be the one who suffers."

Fourth Brother paused in his fiddling with the jade pendant, stopping at his waist. I bit my lip and simply lowered my head, remaining silent.

"Oh, we've arrived in the blink of an eye," Fourth Sister-in-law's voice brightened.

I looked out the window and sure enough, I saw Liu Shang waiting outside the main gate.

Fourth Brother lifted the curtain, turned around and got out of the car. He reached out a hand, and I bent down and looked up to meet his deep eyes. His eyes, devoid of any joy, anger, sorrow or happiness, were just like Lu Li's.

"Thank you, Fourth Brother." I smiled slightly, took his hand, and let him help me out of the car.

Liu Shang raised the lantern closer to me, and in the dim light, I could see his slightly tired face. At that moment, it wasn't just tiredness, but also a deep loneliness. Being the emperor's favorite son inevitably meant being somewhat isolated...

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you so much, Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law." I dared not look at that cold face any longer.

"Sister-in-law, you're too kind." It was just a polite remark, but when he said it, it sounded quite authoritative, befitting his title of Fourth Brother.

Fourth Sister-in-law lifted the curtain and said cheerfully, "Sister-in-law, come to my house when you have time. Seventh Brother and our Master are from the same womb, so let's not be distant with each other."

I gave a slight reply. Fourth Brother had already returned to the carriage. I stood at the door watching their carriage drive further and further away.

As I passed through the lobby, I casually asked where Lu Li was. The servants only said he hadn't returned yet, which I found amusing. I thought to myself, who knows, he might not be coming back tonight.

I didn't sleep well the night before, and today was another tiring day, so I went to bed early and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

When I woke up early, Yiling brought Lu Zhen to pay her respects. I was worried that she wouldn't come this early every day.

She looked unwell, as if she hadn't slept all night.

"Sister, are you not resting well? Should I send a servant to fetch a doctor to take a look?" I drank some tea, which made me a little more awake.

"Is Master still not up?" she said, glancing towards the inner room of my house.

"Master isn't in my room," I said with a smile, interrupting her suspicions.

She let out a slow breath, somewhat relieved, then frowned slightly, "I thought..."

I chuckled a few times. "That's really strange. I'm either in your room or in the study. When have I ever come here?"

“I went to the study early this morning, but the master wasn’t there.” Yi Ling quickly raised his head, looking serious.

I waved my hand, "Grandpa didn't come back yesterday."

"Did His Majesty stay overnight?"

I shook my head, thinking it wouldn't hurt to tell her, "I saw my eighth sister-in-law off last night, and I don't know anything after that. You said he wasn't at the manor, so there's only one explanation: Master didn't come back last night at all."

Yi Ling's face turned deathly pale, and she looked panicked. "Are you talking about Eighth Master's legitimate wife?"

"What's her name again, Xiwen? You know her too?" I pretended to know nothing.

Yi Ling bit her lip. "Not to mention the Seventh Prince's mansion, even in the palace, who doesn't know her? That domineering master, what can't she get?" In the end, she even gave a bitter smile.

I thought for a moment, then took her hand. "Just keep this to yourself. If it gets out elsewhere, it will cause trouble for the master. Tell the servants that the emperor stayed overnight, and don't say anything else."

She responded, bowed, and withdrew. I looked at her dejected figure with pity. What was this woman hoping for? To be Lu Li's only one?

Chapter Four: The First Signs of Conflict

After breakfast, my fourth sister-in-law sent a car to pick me up and take me to her residence. I couldn't refuse, so I got ready and went with her.

Fourth Brother's mansion is larger than ours, and has more people. According to Fourth Sister-in-law, there are four concubines living in the side courtyard. I only saw three of them. The other one is said to be resting in seclusion to prepare for pregnancy. Fourth Sister-in-law is a generous woman. She arranged for the three concubines in the mansion for Fourth Brother.

Therefore, I've been thinking about whether we should recruit a few people into our household, so that Yiling can be distracted and not keep such a close eye on me.

"Look at my whole family, I really envy the peace and quiet in your house." Fourth Sister-in-law put her arm around my hand and we sat down in the main hall of the backyard, where servants brought up tea.

"My household is small, so it's naturally a bit quiet. I suppose I should learn from Fourth Sister-in-law and make the house more lively," I replied with a smile.

She smiled, but couldn't hide the dimness in her eyes. As the legitimate wife, she had done enough in terms of appearances, but as a woman, I couldn't be sure if she was just as successful.

"Don't follow my example. That concubine in your household seems to be worth all four of us. That woman is quite formidable. Seventh Prince dotes on her. Before you came, we all treated her like the principal wife. No one dared to mistreat her," Fourth Sister-in-law said casually, unlike her previous secretive manner in the palace. I actually liked her speaking so freely.

"Oh dear. Look at me. Why did I have to bring this up?" She realized she had talked too much and quickly smiled sheepishly.

"I actually find it more heartwarming that you said that, sister-in-law." I didn't pay much attention to what she said.

She gently squeezed my hand. "I just wanted to remind you not to underestimate Yi Ling..."

I was touched by her kind advice and wanted to say something from the bottom of my heart, "Sister-in-law, I really don't know how to stay in that mansion."

She sighed softly, "That's why I said... you're the most pitiful one."

I chuckled self-deprecatingly, "As long as I don't love him... I can have an easier time."