Third Brother, since your brother was promoted, he’s been so busy he’s hardly home, not even having time to write to you.

Your brother asked me to write. This elder sister-in-law is an unlettered woman who didn’t study much—my characters aren’t good. Don’t laugh when you read this.

Little Sister is getting married.

Guess who she’s marrying? Pei Jing, Young Master Pei’s illegitimate younger brother.

This match is truly a long story.

Before your brother was promoted, I secretly helped Little Sister look at many families. With our family’s former status, even as an illegitimate daughter, as long as she didn’t reach too high, she could marry a legitimate son with her back straight.

After Master passed away, it was very different.

Never mind legitimate sons—even illegitimate sons, those snobs still disdained that her brother did business and couldn’t provide backing.

Later, guess what happened? Once Uncle Pei brought Pei Jing to our home, and these two fateful pairs somehow took a fancy to each other.

Actually, Pei Jing was also neither here nor there in the Pei family. Plus he’s wooden—you can’t get a word out of him with three sticks.

Both were of similar age, both carried the word “illegitimate,” and they knew each other well—it counted as a well-matched marriage.

My brother divined their eight characters and said Little Sister had a husband-prospering destiny. When Uncle Pei heard “husband-prospering,” he immediately went through the three matchmakers and six ceremonies properly.

Speaking of which, Little Sister’s fate is truly good—Pei Jing is obviously set to inherit Uncle Pei’s mantle.

Speaking of this, I must mention another person.

Do you still remember Du Yiyun?

The Du family fell, utterly defeated. She ended up becoming the Duke of Wei’s concubine.

You know the Duke of Wei—he’s most greedy for beauty, with his manor full of wives and concubines, illegitimate sons and daughters galore. Though Du Yiyun doesn’t worry about food and clothing with him, compared to before…

Think about it—Little Sister used to follow her around all day, calling her “elder sister” this and “elder sister” that. Now it’s one in heaven, one on earth.

The happiest about this marriage is Auntie Liu. Relying on her daughter, she can finally properly request an imperial physician to examine her illness.

But Auntie Liu has another worry—about Second Brother.

Second Brother says he doesn’t want to marry. Auntie Liu had no choice but to beg your brother to manage him. Your brother managed, but he wouldn’t listen.

Second Brother says everything else he’ll listen to Elder Brother about, but this one matter—Elder Brother has to listen to him. Your brother was so angry he almost slapped him. I stopped him.

I’m a bit worried now—could it be Second Brother still pines for Yan Sanhe?

By the way, to inquire about your news, your brother had Second Brother give important family business to Han Family Escort Agency to guard, to build rapport.

Second Brother came back saying he and that Master Han hit it off immediately and wanted to become sworn brothers.

Now your brother regrets it to death. That Han fellow’s mouth is tight as an old clam—not a drop of news about you has leaked out.

Not only does Second Brother call Master Han brother, he also helps guard escorts together, gone for a month or two at a time—can’t even catch his shadow.

What evil has possessed Second Brother lately?

…

Third Brother, Sister-in-law recently has something on her mind. This matter isn’t appropriate to tell anyone else—only you.

Several times, I’ve seen Zhu Qing standing alone with hands behind his back, looking from afar at Eldest Miss’s courtyard, motionless.

I found it curious, so I secretly observed for a while…

Third Brother, just be honest with Sister-in-law—did Zhu Qing stay behind for Eldest Miss?

It must be so.

He can hide from anyone but not my sharp eyes. When Zhu Qing sees Eldest Miss, those little glances are so gentle, that tone so soft…

He doesn’t talk to anyone else like this!

If not for your sake, I’d really want to go up and spit at him: Pfui! A toad lusting after swan meat indeed.

Third Brother, Sister-in-law is sorry. No matter what, Eldest Miss is still Eldest Miss—not someone a servant can aspire to.

Sister-in-law will find a chance to properly admonish Zhu Qing in the future.

…

Third Brother, Sister-in-law has admonished him. Guess how Zhu Qing answered me?

He said he received Third Master’s instructions to secretly look after Eldest Miss more!

Pfui!

Ghosts would believe that!

I wanted to scold him, but couldn’t manage it—Elder Sister-in-law is pregnant, a month and a half along, and has been vomiting day and night lately.

Surname Zhu, you wait. When I’m feeling better, I’ll fight you to the death!

…

Third Brother, your brother was promoted again—Vice Minister of Rites.

Our Xie family’s gates are becoming lively again.

I advised your brother he absolutely must not be arrogant and proud, but be even more cautious in word and deed.

By the way, Zhu Qing not only manages the manor’s affairs clearly and orderly, but has also become your brother’s right and left hand.

Recently he hasn’t done anything improper toward Eldest Miss. I’ve decided to observe more.

…

Third Brother, today someone came to me with a marriage proposal for Eldest Miss.

The other party is a scholar from Chengdu Prefecture, from a very ordinary family, but very diligent. He reads well and might pass the provincial exam in the future.

Your brother and I discussed it and decided to inquire more. Eldest Miss’s lifetime matter cannot be hasty.

…

Third Brother, Zhu Qing’s leg ailment flared up. They say he was caught in a rain.

Your brother asked where he got rained on—he refuses to say!

…

Third Brother, Eldest Miss is also ill. They say she caught a cold at night.

She doesn’t go out, doors and windows are shut tight, servants attend her constantly—how did she catch this cold?

…

Third Brother, I don’t want to worry about Zhu Qing’s matter anymore. Let him be.

First, I’m about to give birth—can’t spare the energy.

Second, sigh… these times aren’t easy for anyone!

…

Third Brother, Elder Sister-in-law had premature labor—angered by that scholar.

Turns out this bastard already had a wife back home. To climb up to our family, he forcibly divorced his wife.

He even spread rumors outside that our Eldest Miss fancied him!

Beast! Ruining Eldest Sister’s reputation—who could swallow this anger?

With my big belly, I went to his door and pointed at his nose cursing up a storm. Cursing and cursing, my water broke.

It’s a boy, five catties one liang heavy.

Your brother got angry at me, saying if I ever dare go running outside with a big belly again, he’ll break my legs.

By the way, my legs aren’t broken, but that bastard’s legs are. I strongly suspect your brother had Zhu Qing do it secretly, but I don’t dare ask.

Because of the premature birth, your brother’s temper has been very bad lately. During confinement, he won’t even let me get out of bed.

…

Third Brother, General Bu, who was close to you, has retired and returned to the fields. General Bu’s army has also disbanded.

Your brother invited him home to drink. They drank too much and talked about you—a long silence.

By the way, why does General Bu call you “Young Master”?

I heard that address clearly.

The next day I told your brother about it. He said I heard wrong.

Did I hear wrong?

I didn’t drink myself into a stupor like your brother!

…

Third Brother, recently a major incident occurred in the capital.

The Prince of Han was executed by His Majesty.

I asked your brother—Prince of Han had been imprisoned for so many years already. Why did His Majesty act now?

Your brother initially wouldn’t say, but when I pressed him urgently, he said Prince of Han courted his own death.

Turns out, once when Prince of Han drank too much, he lamented that the former Emperor’s death was very suspicious, saying the former Emperor had no illness or disaster, just indulged in some beauty—how could he suddenly die late at night? Someone must have harmed him!

People often bring disaster from their mouths.

I advised your brother to drink less wine in the future too. Don’t let drunken words be heard by people and taken by those with ulterior motives to make issues.

…

Third Brother, Mother is ill.

I accompany her during the day. At night, Auntie Liu attends to her illness.

Actually, after Master and Old Madam passed, her health wasn’t good—she’s been taking medicine every few days.

Later, when you disappeared, she withered all at once.

Mother’s temperament is still the same as before—confused in word and deed.

But I no longer mind. Though her life seems blessed, she’s actually lived quite tiredly.

Your brother was promoted again recently. I don’t know why, but I’m not happy at all. Sometimes I really miss that period when he was in mourning at home.

Sometimes I often think—what exactly are people pursuing in this lifetime?