Mother then focused on my younger sister, persistently matchmaking. My sister, tired of it, declared she would marry within three months, making Mother fear she might be deceived by men with ulterior motives. This wasn’t impossible. Like Song Si Tian, my sister grew up immersed in romantic stories, deeply romanticizing love scenes. Since my mishap, I had stayed home, so I invited Song Si Tian to report on my sister’s activities.
Song Si Tian was hesitant, saying she couldn’t betray a friend. However, tempted by my Tang Gate information, she eventually told me that my sister had recently fallen for a scholar they met at the Qixi Peony Magpie Bridge gathering and had been seeing each other frequently.
I felt relieved; a scholar wasn’t bad, better than a dissolute playboy. Still, my sister had always mentioned marrying a wealthy man, so this relationship seemed uncharacteristic. I casually asked for the scholar’s name.
Song Si Tian replied, “I think his name is Feng – Feng Yu Xi.”
I almost fainted. This Feng Yu Xi was a character I had once drawn for his good looks. Dressed in white and thinking himself ethereal, he attracted attention and had a popular portrait in Yan Feng. Coming from a poor background, he barely passed the autumn imperial examinations and sought an official position but struggled due to the need for recommendations from high-ranking officials. Feng Yu Xi cleverly used his looks to frequent gatherings of noble women and young girls, seeking a patron to help his career while maintaining ambiguous relationships with many.
He likely set his sights on my sister because she was the sister-in-law of a Ministry of Personnel official.
My heart went cold. After sending Song Sitian away, I returned home and told my mother about the incident. Upon hearing that my younger sister had been involved with such a character, my mother smashed a cup in anger, declaring she would find my sister and punish her. I quickly stopped her, insisting I would handle the situation and she should not act rashly.
Initially agreeing, my mother grew increasingly angry when my sister returned home. They quarreled fiercely, ending with my mother locking my sister in her room. My sister, unusually stubborn this time, went on a hunger strike in protest. In desperation, my mother sought my help again.
