To Marry the Elder Brother of One's Late Husband - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: My Eldest Brother-in-Law is Truly Robust

Lu Changji bathed in the moonlight, his narrow phoenix eyes fixed on Jiang Shu with a gaze that was calm and gentle.

Jiang Shu’s breath hitched for a moment. Her heart couldn’t help but accelerate. Taking a deep breath, she accepted the handkerchief from his hand, hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and whispered, “I’ve made a spectacle of myself before you, Eldest Brother.”

Lu Changji simply said it didn’t matter, then asked warmly, “What difficulties have you encountered?”

He didn’t ask if she had encountered trouble, but what the trouble was, making it clear he intended to help.

Jiang Shu looked up. Under the cover of night, she boldly studied him. Lu Changji was tall, broad-shouldered, and his back was as straight as a spear, clearly possessing a very robust physique. A man of such stamina would surely be a pillar of strength, unlike Lu Changyi, who repeatedly left her disappointed.

The darkness emboldened her. She opened her mouth, almost blurting out her true need. She desperately needed help, and only Lu Changji could provide it. But she knew she could never—and dared not—say it out loud.

“I haven’t encountered any difficulties. Thank you for your concern, Eldest Brother,” she whispered instead.

Lu Changji did not like to force others. Seeing her reluctance, he didn’t press her, but he insisted on escorting her back to Xinchun Court for safety. They walked in silence, broken only by his low warnings whenever they encountered steps.

…

The Hidden Handkerchief

The next morning, Jiang Shu woke to find she was still clutching his handkerchief. A wave of inexplicable panic washed over her.

The cloth was pure white, embroidered with a cluster of green bamboo in the corner—lofty and clean, much like the man himself. It was too personal an item to keep, but returning it would mean another visit to his courtyard, which might look intentional. She decided to hide it at the very bottom of her wardrobe, hoping it would be forgotten.

…

A Turbulent Birthday Visit

It was the day of Yang-shi’s birthday. Jiang Shu prepared two large crates of gifts, including a fine jade headpiece. To her surprise, Lu Changyi insisted on coming along.

“My body may not be worth much, but it isn’t made of paper,” he insisted, his male pride at stake.

When they arrived at the Jiang residence, the sight of the grand Marquis Manor carriage caused a stir among the neighbors. Jiang Shu, dressed in vibrant red silk and gold filigree, looked like a celestial fairy, bringing a sudden radiance to the modest Jiang gates.

However, the banquet quickly turned sour for the hostess. Because of Lu Changyi’s noble status, the guests flocked to him and Jiang Shu, leaving Yang-shi—the birthday girl—as a mere backdrop.

After the guests departed, Yang-shi and Jiang Ran retreated to the inner chambers to vent their rage.

“Mother, look at how arrogant Jiang Shu has become!” Jiang Ran hissed. “She’s just married to a sickly Shizi, yet she acts like she owns the world. If only I could marry Lu Changji, I would be a hundred times more glorious than her.”

Jiang Ran proposed a plan: since Lu Changji was the Shizi’s elder brother, perhaps Jiang Shu could be forced to act as a matchmaker.

…

The Confrontation

Yang-shi summoned Jiang Shu and dropped the pretense. “Your sister is of excellent character and beauty. She is a perfect match for your Eldest Brother-in-law. If you care for this family, you should have the Shizi arrange a match between them.”

Jiang Shu nearly laughed. The gap between the noble Lu Changji and the petty, overbearing Jiang Ran was as wide as heaven and earth.

“Mother, please do not make things difficult for me,” Jiang Shu pleaded, putting on a pitiful expression. “The Shizi is frail; even the Marchioness dares not trouble him with such things. I have no standing in the manor and no child to secure my position. If I anger him, how will I live?”

Seeing Jiang Shu mimicking her own mother’s (Lin-shi) fragile mannerisms, Yang-shi lost her temper and slammed her hand on the table, shattering a teacup.

The noise drew Lu Changyi into the room. Seeing his wife looking aggrieved and Yang-shi looking murderous, he didn’t hold back.

“You old hag!” Lu Changyi barked, ignoring all social propriety. “What kind of creature are you to bully my Shu’er? If you dare breathe another cross word, I’ll have your skin flayed.”

Yang-shi was stunned. Jiang Wenhuan, terrified of the Shizi’s wrath, didn’t dare defend his wife and retreated to the outer hall. Left without support, Yang-shi collapsed into a chair and began to wail.

…

The Sinister Plot

That night, after the couple had left, the Jiang house remained tense. Jiang Ran approached her mother again. “Mother, Jiang Shu and the Shizi have gone too far. Are we just going to let them insult us?”

Yang-shi’s eyes narrowed. “Scolding her achieves nothing. If we strike, we must strike to kill—socially. We must make it so she can never hold her head up in the Marquis Manor again.”

“But how?” Jiang Ran asked.

Yang-shi pulled out an invitation. “The Provincial Governor’s wife has invited me to her villa in five days. Jiang Shu will be there. The villa will be crowded, and security will be lax. If Jiang Shu loses her ‘purity’ there, it won’t be my fault.”

A cold smile spread across Yang-shi’s face. “If she loses her reputation, she will fall from her high perch and return to being the bird in my cage.”