To Marry the Elder Brother of One's Late Husband - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Sister-in-Law, What Are You Doing?

A crimson cloud spread behind her ears, and Jiang Shu’s heart quickened. The cloak felt like a hot potato—awkward to wear, yet inappropriate to take off.

As she hesitated, the guard spoke up: “This cloak was newly made by the Palace Wardrobe for Lord Lu. He has never worn it himself. Please wear it with peace of mind, Third Young Madam. Even if others see it, they can say nothing of it.”

True to his master, Lu Changji’s guard was meticulous. His words cleared her doubts, and the heavy stone in Jiang Shu’s heart finally fell away.

…

Schemes and Slaps

Back at the Jiang residence, free of outsiders, Jiang Ran finally unleashed her fury. She grabbed her mother Yang-shi’s hand and wailed, “Mother, it’s all that wench Jiang Shu’s fault! If she hadn’t jumped into the lake to ‘save’ me, Lord Lu would never have stood by and watched. Now I’ve lost my chance at a high marriage and become a laughingstock!”

Yang-shi was equally incensed. “Does that hoof think she can do whatever she wants just because she’s Shizi’s wife?” She pulled Jiang Ran into an embrace. “Don’t worry. I’ll summon her home and let you vent your frustrations. Her birth mother is in the palm of my hand; she won’t dare cause trouble.”

Yang-shi immediately sent Nanny Wu to the Marquis Manor to fetch Jiang Shu.

…

The Family Confrontation

Jiang Shu expected this. She didn’t panic; instead, she took a set of fine “Four Treasures of the Study” from the storeroom and set out.

Inside the Jiang house, a deceptive calm reigned. Yang-shi sat at the table reviewing accounts while Jiang Ran assisted. To humiliate Jiang Shu, Yang-shi had ordered Jiang Shu’s biological mother, Lin-shi, to serve them by grinding ink.

Seeing her mother standing there like a “willow in the wind,” silent and subservient, Jiang Shu’s heart ached. She stepped forward and took the ink stick from her mother’s hand, signaling her to rest.

Yang-shi began her psychological warfare: “A vine may climb high, but it still depends on its roots. You may be a Shizi’s wife now, but your mother is still a bondservant! If I hadn’t bought her from the traffickers, she’d never have known a life of comfort.”

Jiang Shu remained calm, feigning innocence. “I am deeply grateful to Mother. But why do you say I am not of one mind with the family?”

Jiang Ran couldn’t take it anymore. She slammed her hand down and pointed at Jiang Shu. “Stop acting! I planned for so long to be alone with Lord Lu. Who asked you to meddle? If you hadn’t played the hero, I might already be his wife!”

As Jiang Ran raised a feather duster to strike her sister, the door flew open. Jiang Wenhuan, Jiang Shu’s father, stood there with a black face. He had heard everything.

“You shameless, scheming thing! Stop this at once!” He snatched the duster and turned on Yang-shi. “I knew you wanted Ran-er to climb high, but I didn’t realize you were both insane! You tried to use her reputation to trap Lord Lu? He is a man who can influence the Emperor’s decisions—do you think he’d be manipulated by women like you?”

The father’s rare fury silenced the room. He turned to Jiang Shu with a softened gaze, touched by her “forbearance” and the fine gift she had brought him. He even insisted that Lin-shi (the concubine) join them at the main table for dinner—a rare honor that left Yang-shi fuming but unable to complain.

…

Old Flames and New Shadows

Later, in the privacy of the back rooms, Jiang Shu gave her mother and younger sister, Jiang Rong, twenty tales of silver. Lin-shi was terrified by the amount, but Jiang Shu reassured her that she managed the Shizi’s private assets and had plenty to spare.

As sunset approached, Jiang Shu had to return to the Marquis Manor. On the way, her carriage met another on the narrow Yu Street. The owner of the other carriage stepped out—it was Ye Qian, Jiang Shu’s former fiancé.

The two walked by the riverbank to speak. Ye Qian handed her a pouch containing twenty-three taels of silver—the money she had secretly left for him when they broke their engagement so he could focus on his studies.

“I’ve heard you passed the examinations,” Jiang Shu said, happy for him. “I reported to the Hanlin Academy yesterday as a Junior Compiler (Shu-ji-shi),” he replied.

They spoke of their separate lives, a bitter-sweet conversation between childhood sweethearts whom fate had torn apart. As they turned back toward their carriages, Jiang Shu tripped on a stone. Ye Qian instinctively caught her, his hands steadying her waist.

At that moment, a grand carriage with the crest of the Xinyang Marquis Manor approached.

Lu Changji looked out from the window. His expression was cold and unreadable, but a terrifying chill emanated from him as he watched his brother’s wife held in the arms of another man.