Chapter 11 Holding Her Waist and Pulling Her into His Arms…

Chapter 11

Perhaps she was too exhausted and hallucinating, or perhaps Ming Ya was right—it was still too early to tell. People could disguise their true nature, and only time would reveal Fang Zhongyue’s true character.

But Zhu Yinluan no longer wanted to concern herself with any of it.

The household concubine had been accepted; now all that remained was to await good news. Since this was someone her sister-in-law Wei Qingsi had personally chosen, she must be in good health.

Once the child was born, perhaps everything would improve...

After the initial busy period had passed, these past few days had been uneventful. She only felt mentally drained and physically weary—perhaps because her illness hadn’t completely healed.

She hadn’t slept at all the previous night. Recently, there had been no major affairs demanding her attention at home, save for an invitation from her younger sister-in-law Wei Mingyan to attend a flower-viewing and wine-drinking gathering tomorrow. For now, she had some temporary peace. The gathering was tomorrow.

Zhu Yinluan took a short nap, fearing she might dream something chaotic and uncontrollable again. She had Ming Ya light a calming incense.

She slept until afternoon, then rose to prepare for a meal, only to find Fang Zhongyue already awake.

Though now promoted to concubine—albeit a minor one—she was still technically a household mistress. Yet she continued bustling about like one of the lowly maids.

Most of the servants in the inner courtyard had served Zhu Yinluan for a long time and knew her temperament well. They treated her kindly but ignored Fang Zhongyue, leaving her to her chores—likely intending to teach her a lesson.

Seeing this, Zhu Yinluan beckoned Fang Zhongyue over and gestured for her to sit.

"Have you had lunch yet?" she asked.

Fang Zhongyue shook her head.

"Then you’ll join me for the meal."

Fang Zhongyue immediately knelt. "Though I’ve been promoted, this maid is still but a maid. How could I dare share a table with the young madam?"

Zhu Yinluan studied her, unsure whether this was genuine deference or a calculated act of false humility.

After a moment, Zhu Yinluan smiled. "It’s good that you think this way, but your status is different now. We can’t have others thinking the Wei family lacks propriety, nor let my husband or mother-in-law believe I neglect you. So, stop doing servants’ work. From now on, rest well, take care of your health, and focus on producing an heir."

"The servants assigned to you yesterday must be insufficient. Later, I’ll have the housekeeper bring over some young maids for you to choose a few to your liking."

Having said this, Zhu Yinluan turned to the maids in the inner courtyard and instructed, "Zhongyue is now a mistress of this household. From now on, none of you are to let her lift a finger. Treat her with respect. If anyone shows disrespect, they will face severe consequences."

"Yes," the young maids chorused, curtsying in unison.

After Zhu Yinluan’s words, Fang Zhongyue reluctantly joined her for lunch.

The meal passed in near silence.

Fang Zhongyue glanced several times at Zhu Yinluan’s face, but the latter remained composed, noticing her gaze but saying nothing.

After the meal, Zhu Yinluan took Ming Ya to the storeroom to select gifts for her sister-in-law Wei Mingyan’s upcoming visit.

She settled on a pair of green jade pendant ornaments and a bejeweled necklace, instructing Ming Ya to wrap them carefully.

By dinnertime, Wei Ruzuo had returned.

From a distance, he saw Zhu Yinluan and Fang Zhongyue welcoming him back, dutifully helping him remove his cloak and change his clothes.

The scene was one of domestic harmony, yet he felt no joy.

Especially when he met Zhu Yinluan’s face—still as radiant as ever, not the least bit plain. Years had passed, yet her beauty remained, even surpassing that of her elder sister.

But Zhu Yinluan lacked vitality, devoid of a young woman's liveliness, making her dull in his eyes.

Today, for some reason, as he gazed at her ever-gentle face, he sensed something shifting imperceptibly within him.

But he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

His temporary assignment at the Ministry of Revenue was nearing its end. The Minister and Vice Ministers were currently evaluating merits, and this morning, they had even singled him out for praise.

Promotion seemed imminent—he should have been elated. Yet, when he saw Zhu Yinluan with her lowered lashes, he felt an inexplicable hollowness in his chest.

Why? Was it because he had taken a concubine, and she was jealous?

But Wei Ruzuo detected no trace of jealousy in her demeanor. She was silent, obedient.

His colleagues often complained about troublesome women in their households, yet Wei Ruzuo had never experienced such strife.

After much thought, he concluded it must still be because of taking a concubine. In the first two years of their marriage, their affection had run deep. He would talk to her, and she would confide in him her few worries—chiefly her anxiety over bearing an heir.

He had comforted her, assuring her there was no need to fret, and even promised he would never take a concubine.

Yet now he had. But it was for the sake of the family line.

As they washed their hands and sat for dinner, she spoke not a word beyond necessity.

Fang Zhongyue initially stood by to serve, but Zhu Yinluan motioned for her to sit. Glancing at Wei Ruzuo for permission, she complied when he nodded.

The meal proceeded in utter silence.

Wei Ruzuo, uncharacteristically, found the quiet oppressive.

He looked at Zhu Yinluan. She ate slowly. Ah, yes—she had been ill recently. Had she not fully recovered? Perhaps he should ask.

So he did.

Zhu Yinluan seemed surprised. She replied that she was nearly recovered and thanked him for his concern.

That single sentence left no room for further conversation.

Had she not understood his intention to show care?

Even if displeased, she should know when to relent—especially in front of the maids and the new concubine. Wei Ruzuo merely gave her a look and asked no more.

That night, he stayed in the eastern courtyard again.

Determined not to spend another sleepless night—especially with an outing planned for tomorrow—Zhu Yinluan had Ming Ya light the calming incense.

As Ming Ya tucked her in, she whispered, "Miss, if you’re sad, just cry. I’ll fetch a towel for you. A good cry will make you feel better."

Zhu Yinluan shook her head. "I’m fine."

She hadn’t cried yesterday, and she wouldn’t cry today.

"But you—"

"Don’t worry. If there’s anything, I’ll tell you."

"Very well." Ming Ya drew the bed curtains.

She barely managed to sleep that night.

Early the next morning, Zhu Yinluan ate breakfast and headed out.

The invitation was for two people, but Wei Ruzuo was busy, saying he had pressing government business to conclude and couldn’t spare the time. So he only prepared gifts for her to bring along and asked her to convey his apologies—he hadn’t deliberately chosen not to come.

Trailing her fingers over the gifts Wei Ruzuo had arranged, Zhu Yinluan couldn’t help but think of her birthday present. Even now, she still hadn’t received what he had promised to give her. He’d forgotten entirely.

"......"

Wei Mingyan had a good relationship with Zhu Yinluan. Despite her pregnancy, she still came to the gate to greet her.

Spotting the Wei family’s carriage from afar, she waved and called out, "Sister-in-law!"

"You’re with child—you shouldn’t have come out to welcome me." Zhu Yinluan handed the gifts to a maid nearby and supported Wei Mingyan, checking how she fared.

This was her second pregnancy, already four months along, and her belly had begun to show.

"After the first three months, the physician said there was no harm. Sister-in-law, you worry too much."

"But that’s because you care for me." Wei Mingyan looped her arm through Zhu Yinluan’s and smiled at her.

Zhu Yinluan asked about her recent well-being, and Wei Mingyan assured her everything was fine, telling her not to worry.

Wei Mingyan and her husband had grown up together, so Zhu Yinluan naturally wasn’t concerned.

"Sister-in-law, I heard from the servants that when my sister visited Mother, she brought a maid with her?"

"Yes, your brother has taken her as a concubine."

"Sister-in-law, why didn’t you stop him?" Wei Mingyan was visibly upset, stomping her foot and muttering curses about Wei Qingsi.

"Brother is really... Sister-in-law, you’re so good to him, yet he still wants another woman. He doesn’t appreciate his good fortune!"

Truthfully, Wei Mingyan had known of this for some time. She had deliberately sent an invitation home today to get Zhu Yinluan to come over and comfort her.

In her eyes, Zhu Yinluan was understanding, gentle, and generous—someone who often listened to her troubles, chatted and laughed with her, and even offered guidance, like the dearest of friends.

She naturally didn’t want Zhu Yinluan to suffer.

But she was already married and the youngest in the family, so she had no place interfering in her elder siblings’ affairs. Even if she made a fuss, Mother wouldn’t side with her. There was nothing she could do.

Hearing her words, Zhu Yinluan simply smiled and warned her to mind her condition.

"Sister-in-law, should anything trouble you, just tell me. If Brother mistreats you, let me know—I’ll always stand by you."

"Alright." Zhu Yinluan offered her first genuine smile in days.

The Wei family’s ascent wasn’t solely due to Wei Ruzuo. Both of the Wei daughters had made advantageous marriages, especially the younger one, Wei Mingyan. Her husband now held a position as a Chief Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, even higher than Wei Ruzuo’s, with a promising future.

Thus, when Wei Mingyan hosted a banquet, many came—high officials and noblewomen alike.

"Sister-in-law, don’t keep your troubles pent up. I can see you’ve lost weight—are you still not fully recovered from your illness?" Wei Mingyan prattled on, saying she had someone fetch a thousand-year-old ginseng from the storeroom for Zhu Yinluan to take home and brew into a restorative tonic to nourish herself.

Entering the main hall, Wei Mingyan seated her before excusing herself to attend to the other ladies.

After eating a few pastries on her own, Zhu Yinluan was accosted by several ladies who struck up a conversation.

These women were close to Wei Qingsi, and when mentioning Wei Mingyan’s pregnancy, they couldn’t resist making a few barbed comments at Zhu Yinluan’s expense.

After dealing with them, Zhu Yinluan was left uneasy. Pleading the need to freshen up, she took Ming Ya to the rear hall, which was quieter than the front. There were freshly bloomed golden marigolds, tended with care by gardeners, and nearby was a lotus pond with red koi lashing their tails.

She had intended to feed them, but the fish food box was empty. After settling a cloak about her shoulders, Ming Ya went to fetch more.

Gazing at the pond, Zhu Yinluan noticed a red koi that seemed to have gotten stuck in a crevice between rocks while leaping, desperately flapping its tail in a pitiful struggle.

She searched around and finally found a dry twig to try and free the fish.

The koi had grown too plump, and the twig was brittle and thin. After several attempts, she still couldn’t lift it out. Just as she was about to succeed, Zhu Yinluan leaned further forward—

Then, unexpectedly, her foot slipped, and she nearly tumbled into the pond.

The sensation of falling and weightlessness made her gasp, squeezing her eyes shut in fright, her face scrunched up in panic.

But suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

In the confusion, her feet found the ground, but she was also drawn into an embrace, held securely around the waist.