Accord de Mu Yucheng

Chapitre 38

I chuckled. "What are you saying? You're being so polite. Do you still consider me your sister-in-law?"

“Sister-in-law, why did you choose this woman and cause yourself so much trouble? You finally married into a respectable family and could have less to fight with, so you shouldn’t add to your own anger and frustration… In the future, perhaps not too long, you will regret your magnanimity today.”

I gently covered my face with my handkerchief, smiled, and glanced at the receding figures of the newlyweds. I said nonchalantly, "Why? Just because they were childhood sweethearts, have been in love for many years, are mutually in love, and have gone through many ups and downs before finally getting married... does that mean they can kick me, a dutiful wife who was dutifully married into the family, out of the house?"

Xi Wen forced a smile, "I understand Seventh Sister-in-law even less now."

"What do you mean?" I smiled again.

"Seventh Sister-in-law...you're a smart woman. Listening to you, you know about their past relationship. Since that's the case, why make things difficult for yourself? You willingly organized this wedding banquet today. Don't you feel uncomfortable at all?"

I took her hand in mine. “Then tell me… what else can I hope for? What do I want? All I want is for harmony in this household, for everyone, big and small, so that I can sit securely as the legitimate wife. What more could I ask for? Even if I wanted to, I would be powerless. Now that I have married into his household, I will follow him for all eternity. No matter where his heart is, I only ask that I live a dignified life.”

After sending Xiwen to the back garden, I turned around and went back to the banquet in the front garden, busying myself with attending to the guests. At the ministers' table, I was still a bit more refined, exchanging a few polite words. But as soon as I turned my head to the table of the princes next to me, I couldn't get past them no matter what.

Several princes, with whom I usually get along well, pulled me aside and asked me to persuade their wives to also help arrange for a few concubines.

Upon hearing this, I simply chuckled and filled their cups with wine. "Fifth Brother," I said, "you've already taken five wives and concubines. Our master has had no other women all these years, except for the maidservant bestowed upon him by the Emperor and me, his principal wife, whom he was betrothed to. After moving out of the mansion for so many years, he only has one son. I must think this mansion is too deserted, which is why I haven't had any offerings. I've only added another woman to the master's household. My conduct is far inferior to that of my sisters-in-law."

The sixth brother, who was a little drunk, chimed in, "Sister-in-law, it's so lonely. Wouldn't it be more lively if you gave birth to a few more children for the seventh brother?"

I quickly masked my panic with a smile and served some dishes to Sixth Master. “Sixth Brother’s family is lively. Not counting his mistresses, there are at least four households, and there are so many children in the mansion that I can’t even remember them all. Why are you still thinking about adding more people to the family?”

Sixth Brother gave an embarrassed smile, and the brothers next to him also cheered and laughed, some even making him drink as punishment.

Half an hour later, Liu Shang came out to report that the ceremony was complete. I figured Lu Li should be coming out by now, so I went to the women's side to serve the dishes. My eldest brother stood up, a little drunk, and handed me his cup, saying, "Sister-in-law, you've worked hard today. We brothers admire you greatly. We must toast you today."

I smiled and accepted the drink, downed it in one gulp, covered my mouth with my handkerchief and declined, saying I couldn't hold my liquor, and quickly pushed the other people's wine back to me.

The place was bustling with activity when Lu Li came out, so I retreated to the women's side.

Across the crowd, I raised my glass to him, gesturing for him to enjoy himself tonight. He remained unmoved, though his brothers had already shoved several glasses into his hand. I smiled, turned, and walked towards the backyard.

I was sitting at the corner of the corridor when a shadow flashed in the darkness. I quickly got up and went over to it.

The man turned his back and murmured, "Zhao'er..."

I quickly wiped away my tears and pulled up his sleeve. "Brother, since you're here, why aren't you at the banquet? What are you doing hiding here?"

My second brother, Rong Ling, pursed his lips and looked at me, gently patting the top of my head with one hand. "Silly girl, why should I join in this banquet? I heard about you before I came to the capital."

"Father, Mother knows?"

"The Prince of Ning taking a concubine is common knowledge. Mother has cried for several nights because of this." My second brother sighed and gently put his arm around me. "Zhao'er... if you are suffering, you should go back to Huainan."

I quickly shook my head, "No, I'm really fine."

"He's...not good to you, is he?"

I was startled. "Why do you say that?"

"I really can't think of anything about you that could be disliked... Is it because of Xiao Xuan?"

My chest tightened, and I quickly pulled my second brother along. "Second brother, you mustn't say that. As for Xiao Xuan... he doesn't seem to know much about him. He only vaguely knows that such a person exists... and he hasn't asked me about him in detail. I'm curious how he learned about Xuan. Could it be that he heard about him in Huainan?"

“How could we possibly talk to him about these things?” the second brother said anxiously. “After that incident, Father dismissed all the maids and servants. When Lu Li was in Huainan Prefecture, he had no chance to talk to him about those things.”

I nodded and said softly, "Second Brother, if you have time, go to the palace and visit Aunt."

"I know, you... take good care of yourself too. Second brother is leaving now."

Chapter Thirty-Two: Regret

As I entered the bridal chamber in the south courtyard, Qin Lanruo was sitting on the edge of the bed, covered with a red veil. Hearing my footsteps, she hurriedly tried to lift it, but I stopped her.

"No, this headscarf isn't something you can just take off casually; it's bad luck." I smiled, sat down next to her, and noticed an unfamiliar young maid standing beside her. I asked, "Are you a maid who came with you as part of the Qin family dowry? What's your name?"

"Xiao Bi." The girl answered decisively and confidently, raising her head without any fear.

I nodded and said the usual thing, "Then you must take good care of your master from now on. If anything goes wrong, just come to the main room to find me."

"Your Highness, the Consort has been my mistress since childhood, so of course I take good care of her."

I noticed the strong undertones in her words, so I just smiled and ignored it.

I stood up and said softly to Qin Lanruo, "Sister, please rest here. I've seen the Prince. I'll tell him to drink less and go to his room early."

I took a few steps. Qin Lanruo called out to me sadly, "Your Highness..."

I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at her.

"Your Majesty..." Qin Lanruo paused, "I want to say something from my heart."

"Sister, just tell me what's on your mind."

"I, Qin Lanruo, will remember Your Majesty's kindness for the rest of my life." She emphasized, "I will remember it in my heart for all eternity."

I smiled and said, "What are you saying, sister? We were already sworn sisters before, and now we are destined to share a husband. The bond between us is even more difficult to distinguish between you and me. On the contrary, I feel very bad that you have condescended to be my concubine."

Suddenly, something like water fell from beneath the bright red bridal veil, landing on her vibrant wedding dress.

I was taken aback and quickly asked Xiao Bi to wring out a towel and hand it over.

"Sister, I've only ever heard of someone shedding tears when she was young and in front of her mother, but I've never heard of her crying now that she's married. Quickly pick up those golden tears; this is a joyous occasion, so don't let bad luck taint your life."

Before leaving, he gave a few words of advice and then walked out of the bridal chamber. Feeling a little tired, he leaned on the veranda and sat down to admire the moonlight.

Not long after, Xiao Bi's voice came from the bridal chamber, "Master, why are you crying in front of the Princess? Of course you should stand tall on your first day in the manor, so that people don't think we're easy to bully. Haven't we seen enough of the legitimate wives bullying the junior wives in the previous courtyard?!"

“Xiao Bi, you don’t understand…” Qin Lanruo sighed, “I… owe Her Majesty something, and you wouldn’t understand even if I explained the reasons. From now on, you are not allowed to be so rude to Her Majesty.”

“My kind master, what are you afraid of? Three years ago, you should have been the one entering through the main gate, but now you are the one who has to reluctantly enter through the side gate.”