Chapter 028

Chapter 028

In the eastern chamber of the West Court, Xiao Yan was talking to Lin Ningfang, who had just returned from outside: "Why did you suddenly decide to practice painting in the study? Was it your own idea, or did Grandfather ask you to do it?"

Lin Ningfang: "Grandfather doesn't want me to stay cooped up in the room anymore, so he suggested I practice painting to pass the time."

Xiao Yan: "Then why did you call Father, Second Brother, and Second Sister-in-Law over?"

Lin Ningfang: "The study is the most important place in the house. Father and Second Brother both have keys, so I thought it best to inform them as well."

Xiao Yan didn’t quite believe her, but these people were tight-lipped. Fifth Younger Brother also mentioned that nothing unusual happened during their morning trip to town, so Xiao Yan couldn’t press further. He changed the subject: "When are you going over there? I’ll go with you."

Lin Ningfang: "I’ve already invited Second Sister-in-Law to accompany me."

Xiao Yan knew she wasn’t fond of him, but he was glad she was willing to be closer to Second Sister-in-Law. At least she was starting to act more like a member of the Xiao family.

On the counter lay some roasted sunflower seeds that his brother and sister-in-law had brought back from town. Xiao Yan took them to the bed and sat cross-legged at the edge, peeling one and offering it to Lin Ningfang: "Try this; it has a salty taste. It’s not good if it’s not salty."

Lin Ningfang turned away: "You eat it yourself."

Xiao Yan looked at his hands and laughed: "Are you worried I haven’t washed my hands? Fine, I’ll wash them right now."

He popped the seed into his mouth, hopped off the bed, and walked to the washbasin. While washing, he checked thoroughly to ensure they were clean before drying his hands and returning to the bed.

Lin Ningfang still didn’t want to eat.

Xiao Yan pulled her into his arms and insisted on putting a seed in her mouth: "Sunflower seeds are good for you; look how thin you are. You should eat more."

Seeing her eat a bowl of rice at noon made Xiao Yan extremely happy. He felt better knowing his wife was gaining weight, as he had been holding back for too long.

Lin Ningfang could sense his change and her expression grew colder.

Xiao Yan had no choice but to let her go.

Lin Ningfang went to the southern room to find Ah Zhen.

Ah Zhen was sitting on the bed, head down, cutting fabric for Lady He. Ever since they learned she was skilled at needlework, Lady He and Xiao Yuchan had assigned all the sewing tasks in the West Court to her.

"Miss, please sit down," Ah Zhen said, using the old form of address when they were alone.

Lin Ningfang noticed the untouched fabric for Xiao Yuchan and her son nearby and frowned slightly.

Ah Zhen whispered: "Miss, don’t worry about me. In the past, I didn’t need to do so much work, but compared to those women outside who have no one to rely on, I’m lucky to be here as a maid. People envy me."

Not far away, in Lingshui Village, some men who seemed normal during the day turned into beasts at night, targeting widows who were too weak to protest. Over time, neighbors would hear the commotion. Ah Zhen heard these stories while doing laundry by the river.

Lin Ningfang remained silent.

What could she do? She herself was an idle person in the Xiao household, with no right to argue for Ah Zhen.

"Third Sister-in-Law, are you inside?"

Tong Sui’s voice came from outside. Lin Ningfang gathered her strength, gave Ah Zhen a nod, and went out.

Tong Sui stood outside, holding a wooden tray with a coarse ceramic water pot and two bowls on it.

Perhaps due to the warm sunlight, her face was rosy. She smiled warmly, making Lin Ningfang think of blooming peach blossoms.

"I’ll help you with the tray," Lin Ningfang said, stepping out.

Tong Sui: "No need. The pot is almost full; you might not be able to carry it. If you have no other plans, shall we go to the study now?"

Lin Ningfang nodded with a smile.

The sisters-in-law walked side by side toward the Moon Gate. As they passed under the north room window, a voice suddenly called out: "Second Sister-in-Law, Ningfang is frail. Don’t make her practice for too long."

Tong Sui looked up and saw Xiao Yan standing by the large window. Because he was so tall, his upper body was visible.

Of the four brothers, Xiao Yan had the fiercest demeanor. His narrow eyes, similar to Xiao Zhen’s, made women wary, as if he were a snake ready to strike.

Tong Sui nodded perfunctorily, and without a word, she and Lin Ningfang quickened their pace.

Inside the study, closing the doors and windows brought a calm, tranquil atmosphere.

Tong Sui set down the tray and told Lin Ningfang: "Sister-in-Law, go ahead and work. I’ll find a book to read."

Lin Ningfang nodded.

Tong Sui walked to the first row of bookshelves, noticing Lin Ningfang looking at the *Butterfly Chasing* painting. She quickly took out the primer Xiao Zhen had given her and pretended to have just taken it from the shelf, moving to the desk.

Once she started reading, Tong Sui became completely absorbed and didn’t pay attention to Lin Ningfang.

Lin Ningfang glanced at her a few times, seeing her engrossed in the book. She smiled and focused on her task.

After a while, Lin Ningfang moved the inkstone closer to prepare to grind ink.

Tong Sui was drawn by her movements and immediately put down her book and stood up: "Sister-in-Law, just focus on painting. I’ll grind the ink for you."

Grinding ink requires wrist strength, which Lin Ningfang needed to conserve for painting.

Before Lin Ningfang could react, Tong Sui had already taken the inkstick and moved the inkstone aside.

Lin Ningfang laughed and said helplessly: "My arms are already weak. Second Sister-in-Law should let me practice more."

Tong Sui: "Your strength has been wasted by staying indoors all day. To regain it, you need to take it slowly. These days, you need to use your strength wisely for copying Father Tao’s paintings."

Lin Ningfang had no choice but to watch her grind the ink.

With the ink ready, Lin Ningfang began trying to imitate Father Tao’s painting style.

Tong Sui continued to grind the ink while observing. Seeing Lin Ningfang shake her head, she asked in confusion, "I think it looks very similar."

Lin Ningfang explained the differences between the two painting techniques, and whenever Tong Sui didn't understand a term, she would explain it again in detail.

Tong Sui seemed to have transformed into a novice painter, with Lin Ningfang as her teacher.

After spending half an hour in the study, Tong Sui noticed Lin Ningfang rubbing her wrist and suggested, "It's quite tiring on the neck to keep looking down. Let's go for a walk."

Lin Ningfang: "Where?"

Tong Sui: "The backyard is so large; a couple of laps will be enough to stretch our legs."

Lin Ningfang was worried about encountering Xiao Yan's brothers, especially Xiao Zhen and Xiao Ye. That night, when Xiao Yan carried her to the woods, although Xiao Zhen and Xiao Ye were far away, they undoubtedly knew what had happened between them. This led to Lin Ningfang feeling embarrassed every time she saw them, recalling that shameful night.

Unless necessary, Lin Ningfang had been avoiding seeing them.

Tong Sui had already opened the study door and, seeing Lin Ningfang standing still, called out, "What's wrong?"

Lin Ningfang lowered her eyes, her face pale: "Second Sister-in-Law, did Second Brother ever tell you how I ended up with Third Master?"

Tong Sui answered instinctively, "No, he rarely speaks. He only talks to me when he needs something done."

Lin Ningfang looked at Tong Sui, meeting her clear eyes, and knew she was telling the truth.

This made Lin Ningfang's resentment towards Xiao Zhen diminish slightly. She smiled bitterly and said, "Second Brother was protecting my reputation. To be honest, the first day I met Third Master, that very night..."

Tong Sui was shocked into silence.

When Matchmaker Fang came to propose marriage, she mentioned that Third Master Xiao had saved a noble lady from the Prime Minister's residence and married her. On her wedding day, her brother Tong Gui heard some rumors from Xiao Yan's brothers, leading him to speculate that Xiao Yan hadn't married Lin Ningfang through proper channels.

After marrying into the Xiao family, Tong Sui observed Lin Ningfang's awkwardness and pondered the situation herself. When the Xiao brothers returned home, it was during a ceasefire between the government and the two southern rebels. Although external threats had subsided, internal banditry persisted, and the people were poor and struggling. The Xiao brothers, weary from their journey, likely couldn't arrange a proper wedding for Xiao Yan and Lin Ningfang. They probably just bowed to heaven and earth by the roadside and became husband and wife.

In those years, even more hasty marriages occurred, where men simply brought women home as wives without any witnesses.

But she had overestimated Lin Ningfang's circumstances.

On the first day they met, Lin Ningfang must have just lost her family...

Thinking of Xiao Yan's face, Tong Sui wasn't surprised anymore. A fierce man encountering a woman in distress often acted this way.

Tong Sui closed the study door again, walked over, and embraced the silently weeping Lin Ningfang, consoling her softly, "Don't think about it. You're alive and well now, and that's what matters most."

Once Lin Ningfang started speaking, the pent-up sorrow and humiliation poured out like a flood. She covered her eyes with a handkerchief and sobbed, "I've accepted it, but that night, Second Master and Fourth Master saw him carry me into the woods. I can't face them..."

A true noble lady should have died rather than submit. She had compromised her virtue and disgraced the Lin family name.

Tong Sui patted her thin shoulders continuously, "So what if they know? What does it matter? On my wedding night, didn't you know what Second Master would do to me? All couples are like this—debauchery at night, pretending nothing happened in the daytime. If you really cared about these things, marrying anyone would be the same."

Lin Ningfang paused her crying and looked up in disbelief.

Tong Sui continued, "You take propriety and reputation too seriously. It depends on the person and the situation. Now everyone in the village is focused on survival and getting food, fighting like beasts. Since you're among these beasts, you should prioritize survival and sustenance above all else. No one else cares except you."

She then took out her own handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the noble lady's eyes, "Besides, you see losing your virtue in the wild as shameful, and feel humiliated when you see those who know. But you were forced. They took advantage of you, and they stood by and watched. Are they any better? Shouldn't they be ashamed to face you?"

Lin Ningfang had calmed down considerably and clarified, "Second Master did object, but Third Master wouldn't listen. They were comrades-in-arms for six years. I agreed to follow Third Master, so consummating the marriage was inevitable. Second Master not wanting to ruin their camaraderie for propriety is understandable."

Tong Sui: "...At least he isn't completely heartless."

Lin Ningfang: "Second Master is already a gentleman in these chaotic times. Don't let this affect your relationship with him, Second Sister-in-Law."

Tong Sui: "Don't worry. As long as he protects me and doesn't harm me or others, I won't distance myself from him. Ultimately, we need to focus on survival. The Xiao men are skilled in martial arts and can protect us, but we can't rely solely on them. You need to eat well and exercise to build up your strength. Forget those empty formalities."

Her hand still rested on Lin Ningfang, slender yet strong.

Lin Ningfang envied this strength and was drawn to it.

"Alright, I'll listen to you from now on, Second Sister-in-Law."