Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 25

A woman in exotic tribal attire, tall and slender, entered the tent. Jiang Wanshu turned to look and recognized her as the one who had sat in the place of honor on the day Zhou Yan forced her into a wedding ceremony.

According to Central Plains custom, those seated in the high chairs during a wedding are typically the future parents-in-law. Given her feelings toward Zhou Yan, she naturally felt unwelcomed by Ma’er’s arrival.

Even so, as a person from the Central Plains trying to survive on the grasslands, she maintained her dignity. Jiang Wanshu forced a polite, if somewhat awkward, smile for Ma’er.

Ma’er was strikingly beautiful, possessing a rich and multifaceted charm. Seeing Jiang Wanshu’s “better-not-to-smile-at-all” expression, and remembering her younger brother’s instructions, she swayed her hips and walked forward.

Today, her outfit was far more casual than the formal style she wore on the wedding day.

Without being asked, she sat on the bed less than half a meter away from Jiang Wanshu, closely scrutinizing the girl before her—the girl her brother had once sworn he would never marry, only to break that oath and bring her home.

She was truly breathtaking. Unlike the ruggedness of grassland girls, Jiang Wanshu possessed hair as dark as ink and skin like white porcelain. Her watery eyes were reminiscent of the misty dew just before dawn—a fragile, pitiable beauty that even stunned a woman like Ma’er, who was well-accustomed to her own high status of beauty.

It was no wonder her brother’s picky temperament had been captivated. If any other grassland man had seen this girl before him, they surely would have been just as blunt and determined as he was, vowing never to share her with anyone else.

What was that phrase from the Central Plains?

The “beauty” in “hiding a beauty in a golden house” must surely refer to someone like Jiang Wanshu.

Ma’er was pleased that her brother had found such a satisfying bride, yet she felt a trace of irritation. She had loved Zhou Yan herself, but knowing he didn’t feel the same, she had pushed him to marry a bride quickly so she could cut off her own lingering feelings.

She wasn’t one to make life difficult for others. Since her brother had brought the woman home, as the elder sister, she intended to treat her with sincerity. “Sister-in-law, I am Ma’er, Zhuojing Cha’er’s elder sister. We are family now.”

Ma’er leaned forward and reached out her hand.

Jiang Wanshu instinctively moved to follow Central Plains etiquette and place her hand in Ma’er’s, but she pulled back the next second.

The reason was simple: Ma’er’s words and gesture felt like a subtle trap. To take her hand would be to acknowledge their relationship, and how could she ever agree to that?

She withdrew her hand behind her back, silently refusing.

Ma’er was a shrewd woman; she knew well enough that this sister-in-law had been abducted by her brother.

Grassland men mostly worshipped strength. According to their customs, when a girl came of age, there were often scenes of “bride snatching” where many sought her hand. Through centuries of cultural evolution, the idea had settled in the minds of these men that a stolen woman could be married as long as she didn’t already have a lover. To those blunt men, this was nothing. But to Jiang Wanshu, it was like a civet cat being thrown into a tiger’s den—she would live in constant unease until death.

Ma’er couldn’t truly empathize with Jiang Wanshu’s feelings, but knowing her brother’s stubborn nature, she could only offer comfort. “Sister-in-law, rest easy. My brother is a good man. You will live well here.”

Having grown up among wolves for a decade, Ma’er knew Zhou Yan would inherit the wolf’s trait of having only one mate for life. She didn’t intend to deceive her.

Despite her aggressive beauty, Ma’er wasn’t overbearing. Her consolation wasn’t forceful, nor was it meant to be a burden.

Hearing this, Jiang Wanshu finally reacted. she recalled the past: the meticulously prepared meals, him teaching her to use weapons, and how he would patiently massage her stomach when she suffered from menstrual cramps. These things did prove he was “good.”

“He is good, but we are not right for each other.”

A gentle hand patted the top of her head. Ma’er stood up. “Some things seem monumental now, but when time truly passes and you look back, they will seem very small.”

As she spoke, her hand brushed against the clothes Zhou Yan had prepared for Jiang Wanshu hanging on the rack. She was surprised that Zhou Yan had actually taken her words to heart. Her brow furrowed slightly before she forced a look of joy.

“Since you’re here, make yourself at home. You can’t hide in this tent forever like an old crone, resentful of the world. You are so young; you should understand what I mean.”

“Today is the most grand festival on the grassland—the Bailamu Festival. If you don’t mind, why not walk with me and see the local customs?”

Jiang Wanshu felt that Ma’er made sense. She nodded and walked to the clothes rack, pondering how to put on the attire. She couldn’t help but want to be closer to such a sensible elder sister.

She glanced at Ma’er’s outfit, which was similar in style to her own, and made a decision. “Sister Ma’er, wait for me a moment. I’ll be ready soon.”

She truly shouldn’t stay here wallowing in self-pity. Sorrow must not become her identity.

At the use of the term “Sister,” Ma’er didn’t seem surprised, but she spoke happily, “Sister-in-law truly has the temperament of a child.”

Usually, people her age rarely called her “Sister” in such a soft way; it was mostly “Elder Sister Ma’er.”

Seeing that Jiang Wanshu was calmed, Ma’er stepped outside the tent to wait while she changed.

Jiang Wanshu looked around the empty tent and let out a long, heavy sigh. She had to leave this tent today; it was far too oppressive. The bed held memories of scenes she found disgusting. It was fine that Zhou Yan wasn’t here now, but if he were, her loathing would be even greater.

She quickly put on the clothes according to her memory, but she struggled with the agate headpiece and her long, dark hair that draped softly over her shoulders.

She intended to go to the tent door to ask Ma’er for help. As the sunlight filtered through the entrance, she thought she saw two figures outside. Without thinking, her pale hand pulled back the flap, only to be met not by a person’s face, but by a massive torso.

The man was muscular and tall, completely blocking the sunlight that was meant to shine on her.

The man suddenly grabbed her slender, white arm—which was still marked with red spots like small berries—and lowered his thin lips toward her ear. “Willing to come out now?”

His voice was deep. In one hand, he held a bowl of freshly roasted mutton. His warm breath brushed against her ear, sending a tingling sensation through her.

Recalling the absurd scenes of the previous day, Jiang Wanshu frantically tried to shake off his hand. She was instantly alert, no longer moping as she had been upon waking. She looked up at Zhou Yan, her eyes filled with resentment.

Ma’er, a woman well-versed in the affairs of the heart, understood the emotions flowing between them. She wasn’t particularly happy, but she was tactful enough to step aside. “Resolve your business first. Sister-in-law, I will come back for you later.”

Without waiting for a reply, Ma’er left on her own.

Once again, Jiang Wanshu was pulled back into the tent. She resisted, but Zhou Yan’s grip was firm. She was forced to sit on a wooden chair, watching as the man placed the large bowl of mutton in front of her.

Zhou Yan placed his palms lightly against her temples, applying enough pressure to force her gaze toward the meat. His tone left no room for argument. “Eat this mutton first. Satiate your hunger.”

Having gone so long without food, Jiang Wanshu’s stomach had gone numb, but the sight of the fragrant, steaming meat made her hunger flare up. Regardless of his control, she swallowed hard, her stomach letting out a loud growl.

Even so, she endured the hunger, as if in protest against him. She turned her head away, refusing to look at the meat, but Zhou Yan turned her head back a second later.

Zhou Yan knew why she was acting this way. He looked down at her beautiful face and said, “You were the one who crossed my line. I told you that if you ran away, I wouldn’t let it go easily. Now, I am simply taking the punishment you deserve—and it is far lighter than what I told you before. Who are you showing this resentment to?”

His words were not spoken lightly; they struck her heart like a drumbeat.

At this, Jiang Wanshu cast aside her reservations. She didn’t need any utensils; she imitated the grassland men and used her hands to tear off a piece of mutton, stuffing it into her mouth.

The meat was delicious with a hint of spice—the result of Zhou Yan sprinkling on some pepper while it was fresh. The pepper perfectly cut through the greasiness. Her mouth was full of the savory flavor; it was truly exquisite.

Rarely having eaten this way, Jiang Wanshu’s eyes widened at the deliciousness of the feast, and she stuffed another piece into her mouth. She ate while thinking that it would be best if Zhou Yan grew disgusted by her unrefined manners; she truly couldn’t stand his attention.

But she had no idea that Zhou Yan loved her even more like this. He released her temples and began to knead her shoulders properly. He had heard that women often felt sore in certain places after “the joy of fish and water,” and since he had forced her, he felt a touch of pity.

“You won’t talk to me, but at least you can eat. That’s good enough,” Zhou Yan said, his mood brightening as he watched her eat with gusto.

As his hands touched her shoulders, the sensation of her soft skin reminded him of the scenes that had driven him wild. It had been incredibly satisfying—so much so that he felt completely refreshed in body and soul.

His hand uncontrollably began to slide down three inches below her shoulder, but he was interrupted by her voice.

“Zhou Yan, I don’t know how to wear these grassland ornaments.” Jiang Wanshu stayed sharp, not wanting his hands to touch her further.

As expected, Zhou Yan stopped. He walked over to where the agate and red water-drop headpieces were, picked them up, and returned to her.

“Finally willing to speak to me.” He felt a strange sense of pride. Seeing her disheveled hair, he naturally picked up a wooden comb and began to style it for her.

When his hand touched her dark hair, Jiang Wanshu considered stopping him, but then she realized her hands were covered in grease. If she struggled and accidentally got oil on her hair…

At that thought, she immediately withdrew her hand and let him work.

This was his first time braiding a girl’s hair, and he didn’t really know how. Although the braid was loose, it was passable. He recalled how Ma’er usually wore the ornaments and fastened them to the sides of her hair. Before long, a small wooden mirror with a bronze surface reflected the woman’s face.

She didn’t look out of place in grassland attire; she was just as moving as the first time he had seen her in it. For some reason, the indignation in her eyes now seemed even more striking than before. To be precise, there was a touch of feminine allure in the corners of her eyes and brows that only comes with becoming a woman.

Zhou Yan, of course, didn’t notice such subtle changes. He simply raised his head with pride. “My bride is becoming more and more beautiful!”

Startled by the sudden compliment, Jiang Wanshu choked on a piece of mutton and coughed several times. Her eyes reddened as she set down the meat, having had her fill.

She said nothing, and Zhou Yan didn’t press her. After finishing the braid, he brought a basin of scented water and watched her wash her hands. He then picked up the plate and left dejectedly.

Just as the tent flap was about to fall, his voice came again, “I’ll go get my sister.”

Jiang Wanshu didn’t answer. She simply reached up to the end of the braid he had made, untied the red string, and looked into the mirror to re-braid it herself.

Just as she finished, Ma’er walked in.

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