“It’s just a bit awkward when we’re together.” “What’s awkward?” “I feel like her eyes look at me strangely.” “How strange?” After much thought, he said, “Her eyes are just like Zhao Lie Nü’s in ‘Fierce Woman and Tyrant’.” Me: “…” Fortunately, my brother’s feelings were just a preliminary good impression. I hinted that the girl might have her own thoughts, and he nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite, saying it was fine. After my brother announced my terrible fall at home, my parents and sister came to visit. Father brought history books, marking a passage about virtuous women and handing it to me meaningfully. Mother wailed upon seeing me and sent pig’s trotter soup daily, claiming it would help my wound heal. This caused my mother-in-law to hide in her room, rarely appearing. Mother, somewhat dissatisfied, implied that no one was properly caring for me. Unable to confront her mother-in-law, she complained to my more good-natured father-in-law. As for An Jin, she couldn’t blame him, given their overly indulgent attitude toward their son-in-law. My younger sister, under the pretext of visiting, managed to take away several of my clothes and hairpins. Finally, she dramatically held my hand and said, “Second Sister, since your looks can’t keep your husband’s heart anyway, you might as well keep his silver!”
Was this consolation? It was pure provocation. In my despair, even the lantern’s gaze seemed sympathetic. One night, I woke An Jin and asked if my face didn’t heal, would he take a second wife. He looked at me sleepily, closed his eyes, and pulled me into his embrace, saying, “Sleep, be good.”
Fortunately, with good medicine and pig’s trotter soup, my facial wounds gradually healed, revealing my original appearance. My brother’s connection with the Shu Ling Shi girl faded, as she ultimately ended their relationship, citing incompatibility. Mother was heartbroken, constantly muttering about when she’d see a daughter-in-law. My brother’s honest nature finally emerged, leading him to move to the Hanlin Academy’s official residence and return home only on rest days.
