Time was limited, she knew that well. She had hoped that during today’s grand banquet, she would at least have some interaction with Shen Che, but unexpectedly, she only saw him once when he entered, and afterward, he seemed to vanish without a trace.
Though he was just in the flower hall at the end of the long corridor, not really far away, it felt like they were separated by countless mountains and seas. In the afternoon when she walked around the garden, she had seen Shen Run with two honored guests, but Shen Che remained mysteriously absent, as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Some things need an opportunity to begin, but when she couldn’t even see him, all her careful planning was in vain. Later, during the evening banquet, she vaguely heard his laughter with colleagues – though he was present, there was no chance to get close to him. Xuebai’s heart hung high with anticipation, and she spent the entire evening preoccupied, sitting there like an ant on a hot pan despite her physical presence.
She glanced toward the entrance, beginning to calculate whether she should leave the flower hall and go somewhere she might encounter him. This was a golden opportunity – with all the noble officials of the capital present if she could create some scandal now, though it might damage her reputation, Shen Che would have to marry her even if unwilling. She yearned for life in the Shen mansion and yearned for such a perfect husband. She wasn’t worried about Shen Che not falling in love with her – after all, what man could resist such an easy offering?
The Yao family had nine sisters in total. She had grown up under the overwhelming pressure of eight older sisters, eating their leftovers, and wearing their hand-me-downs. She despised such a frugal life and dreamed of leaving the Yao family. Due to her circumstances, she understood the principle of creating opportunities when none existed. Shen Che was unguarded around family members – if she could just get him to come out under the pretense of Fangchun’s name, and if even the slightest hint was caught by others’ eyes, then this matter could be settled.
The banquet was half over, and people gradually began leaving their seats to move about. Just as she had made up her mind and was about to stand, she saw Yudian, a maid from Fangchun’s courtyard, hurriedly entering through the door. The maid looked around, apparently searching for Fangchun. Not seeing her mistress, she walked over to Xuebai and asked in a low voice, “Miss, have you seen our madam?”
Xuebai kept her wits about her, slowly shaking her head, “What’s wrong?”
“Second Master is drunk and wants to rest, but I can’t find our madam anywhere – what should we do?” Yudian looked worried, constantly glancing around.
Xuebai gave a soft “oh” and turned to look at Madam Wang, “Mother, shall I help look for her?”
Madam Wang naturally understood her meaning and nodded slightly, “Go ahead.”
Thus, she had a legitimate reason to leave and head toward the long corridor connecting to the east flower hall. Halfway there, she saw a servant supporting a swaying Shen Che as he emerged from the partition door. Her heart tightened, and she quickly went forward, saying softly, “Brother-in-law, are you drunk?”
Shen Che slowly raised his eyes, his long thick eyelashes interweaving, revealing a hint of misty tenderness. Drunk men have no sharp edges, and even carry a childlike quality in their confusion. His movements were slow, his gaze was slow – and in that slowness lay a romantic quality.
He took a gentle breath, his lips curving slightly, “Sister, why are you here?”
Oh, so you’re here – somewhat unexpected, and with that faint smile at his lips, perhaps even suggesting delight.
When a girl thinks too much, she can weave a magnificent dream for herself. He suddenly stumbled, the servant unable to support him, and she naturally reached out to help. The moment she touched his body, she realized he was a living, tangible person.
The wine fragrance on his body, the warmth of his arm – all of these made her heart race. She struggled to control her shyness and excitement, saying gently, “Brother-in-law, let me help you back to rest.”
He seemed confused, gave a soft sound of agreement, and leaned against her as they stumbled toward the garden. Through the side door, his study was just ahead in a small courtyard. That courtyard was exquisitely designed and peaceful – usually besides the cleaning staff, there were no servants guarding it. Compared to the noisy bustle at the front, it was so quiet here it made one’s heart flutter.
But this quietness perfectly suited her intentions. Her earlier secret calculations couldn’t compare to how naturally things were falling into place. When drunk, everything becomes unclear – if she were to find herself in an unspeakable predicament then, Shen Che would feel only guilt toward her, not resentment. By then, Fangchun would find it difficult not only to keep him to herself but even to stay in the Shen family.
When they reached the carved door, she didn’t let go. She waited for the servant to open it, then instructed: “Have the kitchen prepare some sobering soup, and go to the front courtyard to see if Second Madam has been found.”
The servant hesitated, “Miss, this isn’t proper. Let me stay instead…”
She smiled, “It’s fine, we’re all family here. What’s proper or improper? I’m not familiar with your mansion, I should be the one going to the kitchen, but I’m afraid I won’t find my way.”
She was a guest – how could they let her go to the kitchen? The servant had no choice but to say, “Then I’ll trouble the young lady to look after him. I’ll go take care of it right away, and as soon as we find our madam, we’ll send her immediately.”
Xuebai nodded, watched the servant hurry away, and then supported Shen Che into the room.
There was a bed in the eastern side room of the study. She helped him lie down and removed his shoes. He lay back on the pillow, drowsy, and in the lamplight from under the eaves, his handsome features appeared especially gentle and soft in the dim light. The Shen brothers’ appearances were indeed flawless. She still remembered how he looked when he came to present the betrothal gifts – he had just been restored to his position then, not yet a Commander, wearing ordinary robes that couldn’t hide the nobility in his features. When relatives’ daughters married, the new son-in-law would be examined by everyone. Though her family had hosted weddings, none of those brothers-in-law could compare to Shen Che.
So youthful obsessions are the hardest to overcome – that fleeting glimpse from behind a pillar had planted deep roots of love. The term “brother-in-law” always carried mysterious connections, indefinable connections that, separated by a layer, only made the itch worse when scratched.
She gently pushed him, “Brother-in-law?”
He stirred, and turned his head, but remained in deep sleep.
She slowly leaned over the edge of the bed, whispering in his ear: “Are you asleep, or just pretending? It’s just you and me here, why pretend? You know my feelings – in great families nowadays, who doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? Can’t the Shen family household accommodate me? Chengbin, if you just agree, I’ll get along well with my sister, never be jealous, and never cause you trouble. You’re always busy outside – what’s wrong with having one more person to serve you? Why haven’t you understood my hints all this time – are you so dense!”
She spoke resentfully, but he remained oblivious, seemingly truly asleep.
Unsatisfied, she stood up and looked down at him. At this point, she couldn’t miss the opportunity – perhaps Fangchun would arrive soon. Even if they couldn’t complete the deed, just being seen would create enough misunderstanding that Shen Che would have to take her as a secondary wife with a grand ceremony.
Though it was bitterly cold, her cheeks burned hot. She felt somewhat dizzy as her trembling hands undid her clothes.
The cloud brocade jacket fell at her feet, like gathering storm clouds in the darkness. Her flesh beneath the undergarments raised goosebumps as cold air rushed in from all directions, but her heart was heavy as iron as she bit her lip and untied her skirt sash.
Just a little more – if she could just open his clothes, remove his trousers, then nothing could be explained away. She reached toward him, her fingertips touching the cold belt at his waist. As she was about to undo the jade hook of his belt, suddenly a blood-curdling scream came from behind the screen. At that moment, lights blazed up all around, footsteps interweaved, and lamplight pressed in layer upon layer, as if they had suddenly jumped from night into brightest day, everything exposed under the sun.
That scream had come from Fangchun, who had been led to this small courtyard by Qingyuan from the flower hall. At first, she hadn’t understood and had asked curiously, “Weren’t we supposed to be distributing return gifts? Why have you brought me to the study?”
Qingyuan had smiled, “Sister, be patient. I’m letting you watch a good show.”
Of course, she wasn’t certain if this show would come together – if it didn’t, then Xuebai might not be so contemptible after all; but if it did, it would serve to wake Fangchun up completely, letting her see her maiden family sister’s true face, whether she was as considerate as Fangchun believed.
Later, footsteps approached, and three shadows fell on the window paper. When Fangchun heard Xuebai’s words sending the servant for sobering soup, she realized something was amiss.
How could an unmarried lady stay alone in the dark to care for a man? The Yao family was considered cultured – with all her upbringing, didn’t Xuebai know to avoid suspicion? Fangchun’s hands and feet began trembling as she looked fearfully at Qingyuan, who stood with folded sleeves, calmly waiting for events to unfold.
Then Xuebai began pouring out her heart, everything completely contrary to what Fangchun had believed. All her previous harsh words about Shen Che had been false – the more vicious her words, the more she had coveted him.
She removed her clothes and reached out her predatory hands toward Shen Che. Fangchun held back repeatedly but finally couldn’t contain herself, letting out an earth-shattering scream.
The guards who had been waiting outside entered in formation holding torches. Qingyuan watched as Fangchun rushed over and kicked Xuebai.
“How can there be someone as shameless as you in this world!” She pointed at Xuebai’s nose and cursed, “I treated you like a true sister, yet you coveted my husband, deliberately trying to provoke our divorce so you could take advantage – what a clever scheme!”
Xuebai lay awkwardly on the ground, struggling to prop herself up, only to find the previously quiet courtyard filled with people, her disheveled state exposed to all eyes.
The person lying on the bed also sat up, frowning with disgust as he brushed his clothes, “That was close – I almost got molested by this woman.”
Qingyuan walked out from behind the screen, smiling, “Thank you for your trouble, Second Uncle. Without this act, how could we have exposed her true nature?”
Only then did Xuebai come to her senses, looking around in panic and stammering, “You… you set a trap to frame me!”
Fangchun finally saw her cousin’s true face. Initially, being alone in Youzhou, she had been genuinely delighted when her family moved to the capital. With Xuebai’s frequent visits, she felt less lonely and shared everything good with her, gradually letting her develop evil intentions toward Shen Che. She had been so foolish then, actually listening to her instigation and considering divorce. Now thinking back, she was sick with regret.
Disappointment, fury, being stabbed in the heart by family – the feeling was nauseating. Fangchun finally broke down crying, wiping her tears as she spat viciously, “How dare you say such things! So many eyes were watching – who took off your clothes if not yourself? I was truly blind to have misjudged you before. Who would have thought an unmarried lady could be so shameless, not only undressing herself but also trying to take advantage of a man!”
Qingyuan looked down at Xuebai, who was shivering from both cold and shock. Qingyuan smiled, “Miss Yao, today is our mansion’s banquet, with court nobles in the front hall. We can’t let someone like you bring shame to our Commander’s mansion. Don’t worry, we won’t spread this matter. We’ll call your parents in later for a meeting.”
What did that mean? Were they going to detain her? Xuebai shrank back, “Even… even if I did wrong today, you can’t… can’t detain me privately.”
Shen Che’s official boots moved into her view as he sneered, “Is that so? Throwing yourself at someone might not be a crime, but you harmed my wife’s unborn child – how should I settle this account with you?” He then called out loudly, “Bring her in!”
The clanking of armor accompanied approaching footsteps. Xuebai looked up in horror to see Que’er being held by two guards like a small chicken. A maid who had served in the inner quarters had never experienced such a situation – she was terrified pale, trembling as she cried out, “Miss… Miss…”
Those cries were like death knells. Xuebai’s strength drained away, her heart convulsing in her chest, waves of blood pounding against her eardrums, nearly tearing her heart apart. But she still clung to a desperate hope, trying to get Que’er to deny everything. Trembling, she said, “What are you doing with my maid? Are you planning to extract a false confession through torture?” She shouted at Que’er, “They have no evidence, don’t be afraid!”
Shen Che rarely dealt with women – usually when the Dianqian Si handled cases involving female family members of offending officials, Shen Run would handle it. He had thought women only came in two types like Fangchun and Qingyuan – either straightforward or delicate and gentle. He hadn’t imagined there could be someone as evil as Yao Xuebai. Her scheme to enter the Shen family, as she said, might not be an unforgivable crime – her dramatic performance merely helped Fangchun see human nature. But she had harmed his child because of it – this grudge was enough for him to tear her to pieces.
As she continued to argue defiantly, he swiftly drew a guard’s sword and swung it to stop half an inch from Que’er’s neck, saying deeply, “Tell us what happened that day, every detail. Otherwise, your head falls right now.”
Que’er shrieked in terror, “Don’t… don’t… I’ll tell you! When Second Madam was pregnant and had mouth sores from internal heat, she couldn’t take medicine. Our Miss suggested Second Madam suck on elephant gallbladder meat, saying it could clear the heat if she didn’t swallow it, and wouldn’t harm the baby. Our Miss appeared kind, but she had her intentions – she wanted Second Madam to miscarry so that eventually Second Madam would be rejected by the Shen family for being unable to bear children. Once Second Madam was gone, she would have her chance… Our Miss has admired the Commander for many years, ever since she started visiting the Shen family. She never had good intentions toward Second Madam. That… day, she pretended to have people prepare elephant gallbladder leaves for Second Madam, but had prepared a piece of skin beforehand and secretly threw it in front of Second Madam’s footstool. Since she hadn’t handled it personally, if anything happened it would be the mansion’s maids’ fault, and she would be clean… Later when Second Madam indeed fell and lost the child, she whispered in Second Madam’s ear that the Commander didn’t value her, saying all sorts of bad things about him, trying to drive them apart. This time… this time coming to the mansion’s banquet, she had already planned with our madam, thinking of ways to create a connection with the Commander, to cause such scandal that he would have to marry her. I… I’m just a maid, I dare not make decisions for Miss. I’ve just told what I know – please… please have mercy, Commander and Second Madam, spare my life…”
These details made everyone present frown. Fangchun could hardly believe her ears. “What? My child – it was you who killed it?”
Nothing could be more devastating than this revelation. The child she had waited three years for had been deliberately schemed against like this. She couldn’t understand why there could be such vicious people in the world – just because they envied what she had, they had to destroy her.
She stumbled over and crouched down to ask Xuebai, “Have I ever wronged your family?”
Xuebai knew that only begging her could save her life now. Like a drowning person grasping at straws, she anxiously said, “Sister… sister… don’t listen to her nonsense. We grew up together… Have you forgotten how my mother treated you? She loved you like her daughter – how could we… how could we harm you like that…”
Speak of the devil – Madam Wang had received word and came running in. She first gave Xuebai a hard slap, scolding harshly, “Have you lost your mind, doing such things – who can you answer to?” Then she fell to her knees before Fangchun, pleading with tears, “Young Madam, our girl is young and disrespectful – I will certainly discipline her well. Please, for the sake of our past aunt-niece relationship, spare her this once!”