The ninth day of the twelfth lunar month is a fine day, marking the occasion for the eldest son of the Zheng family to take a concubine.
Though she is a prized concubine and will not hold a formal wedding ceremony, there are still basic rituals to observe.
Madam Zhang claims it’s to honor Zheng Yihan’s life-saver, but in reality, it’s all about irritating Qingli. Early in the morning, the noise from the celebrations is nearly as loud as a wedding.
Fortunately, Old Master Zheng has the sense not to allow her to drape red silk throughout the Zheng household; instead, only the courtyard where Su Tingxue resides is decorated with red paper.
As a groom for the second time, Zheng Yihan won’t be going out to marry, but he must still stand at the door to welcome guests.
Those who come at this hour are mostly his close friends; ordinary people would prefer to avoid attending a concubine’s banquet.
Qingli is awakened early by the noise and, unable to sleep, decides to get up and tidy up.
In the neighboring courtyard, things are being packed up to move in, while in the main courtyard, preparations are underway for departure.
This makes Wan Yue, who has been irritated since early morning by the commotion, smile brightly as she cautiously asks Qingli again and again, “Miss, are you leaving?”
“Are you truly ready?”
This girl has even changed how she addresses her, revealing her eagerness. Not long ago, she was hoping for a reconciliation between Qingli and Zheng Yihan, but now it seems she’s pretending it never happened.
Qingli nods emphatically and tells her, “Wan Yue, your young mistress is ready!”
Satisfied, Wan Yue continues to supervise the little maids as they pack, ensuring they take everything, leaving no trace of Qingli’s personal belongings behind.
Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Su Tingxue is nervously being carried by four men in a sedan chair, moving step by step from the rented courtyard to the Zheng family.
The matchmaker sings, “The esteemed concubine may enter through the side door!”
Su Tingxue pauses, feeling shy and hesitant as the bearers turn the chair to walk into a dim alley before carefully opening the side door for her to step inside.
The side door is quite small; Madam Zhang, eager to vent the frustrations of five years of being unable to provide a concubine for her son, had the sedan chair custom-made larger.
This results in the chair scraping against the small doorframe as it is carried in.
The matchmaker following Su Tingxue exclaims, “Oh no, the pomegranate fell! Heaven, hurry and pick it up!”
Su Tingxue clenches her hands, her face pale and her eyes stinging with unshed tears, feeling a deep humiliation.
Is this the disgrace of a concubine? Unable to enter through the grand door, she must settle for this cramped space!
Taking a deep breath, Su Tingxue holds back her tears and forces a smile.
What does it matter if the pomegranate fell?
She knows her own body well and is confident that she will conceive as soon as she steps inside. Even if the Ji family makes trouble, what does it matter if Ji Qingli, as the main wife, creates obstacles?
The child will be her lifeline!
As the esteemed concubine enters through the side door, the front courtyard is already set up for a banquet, while in the back courtyard, the concubine must serve tea to the main wife.
Typically, a concubine only needs to wait until entering to serve tea to the main wife, but Su Tingxue is different. Madam Zhang has arranged for her to be in the main hall, pulling out all the stops to suppress Ji Qingli.
Zheng Yihan sends someone to invite Qingli, seemingly worried that she won’t want to come. Even Lady Cui, an efficient aide to Madam Zhang, is sent: “Madam, the eldest young master has sent someone to ask for your presence.”
Qingli adjusts her lovely new outfit, having prepared a special ensemble for the day—a light orange cross-collar top paired with a pale blue and pale yellow skirt, accented with an orange belt that adds a splash of color.
The outer garment features wide sleeves, complemented by a snow-white fur collar cloak, which sways gracefully as she walks.
Her makeup has been meticulously done, losing some of her previous maturity in favor of a youthful charm and vibrancy.
Her long hair is still styled in a way that isn’t very noticeable.
Once her outfit is sorted, Qingli carefully touches the hairpin holding half of her hair up, her heart-shaped face glowing with vitality as she smiles broadly and says, “Let’s go.”
Lady Cui is momentarily dazzled, leading the way while frequently glancing back at her.
How can she see joy on the face of the main wife?
Is this truly how a main wife should react to her husband taking a concubine?
It feels strange!
As they walk a short distance, Lady Cui is left with a chill down her spine, finally reaching the hall, where familiar faces greet her. She breathes a sigh of relief: “Madam, please.”
Qingli calmly steps into the hall. She may have arrived a bit late; a crowd from the Zheng family is already present. Madam Zhang and Old Master Zheng occupy the main seats, with an empty spot beside Zheng Yihan just for Qingli, and below her are her husband’s younger brother and his wife.
As she enters, the low murmur of conversation falls silent, and everyone instinctively turns to look, each filled with a hint of expectation.
How will the proud Ji family daughter, who once declared she would never share her husband, react to her husband taking a concubine?
But when they look, everyone is taken aback.
Who is this woman, radiant with a refined appearance, smiling, and moving lightly—who doesn’t seem to show a trace of fatigue, but rather appears to be celebrating something joyous?
Qingli walks straight to her seat, not casting a glance at anyone, focusing instead on the ground ahead.
She doesn’t call anyone or bow, which is quite rude.
Madam Zhang furrows her brow, ready to speak, but Old Master Zheng shakes his head to stop her before she can utter a word.
They’ve already forced Ji to this point; there’s no need to go further.
Madam Zhang, begrudgingly, keeps quiet.
No one notices the silent exchange between the two at the head table, while Zheng Yihan’s younger brother, Zheng Yimo, raises his eyebrows at him, even giving him a silent thumbs up as if to say: “Big brother, you did great!”
Zheng Yihan, lost in thought since Qingli entered, pauses in confusion at his brother’s reaction, quickly turning to see a familiar smiling profile.
Wait a minute!
Smiling?
Zheng Yihan’s heart races as he fixates on that clear smiling face, feeling neither sadness, anger, nor even disappointment!
This is not right!
Something is very wrong!
Zheng Yihan stared intently at his wife’s profile. The face he was so accustomed to now seemed strangely unfamiliar—strange enough to frighten him, as if an ominous premonition was creeping in, causing his palms to sweat.
The several sisters-in-law did not share Zheng Yimo’s thoughts; instead, they exchanged subtle glances, recognizing the confusion mirrored in each other’s eyes.
As women, they should have understood Ji Qingli’s thoughts better than anyone, yet her behavior left them utterly baffled.
This was problematic!
At that moment, the wife of the third son stared at Qingli for quite a while and suddenly noticed that the clothes Ji Qingli wore did not resemble those of a married woman; they were more like those worn by an unmarried girl!
Upon closer inspection, aside from her elaborate hairstyle, her appearance did indeed resemble that of an unmarried woman.
Realizing this, the third son’s wife turned pale, hurriedly lowering her gaze, afraid to look again.
What would it change to discover this?
She did not dare speak up; in fact, she secretly felt pleased. Zhang Shi was so proud now, her eldest daughter-in-law had become obedient, and soon she would lose her most favored daughter-in-law!
Zheng Yihan had been staring at Qingli for too long, and she sensed it. She naturally turned her head and asked, “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head, his heart swirling with mixed emotions. The joy he had felt was suddenly diminished.
Leaning slightly, he whispered, “Ah Li, please don’t be angry. This is the only time! It won’t happen again!”
Qingli smiled and nodded. “Mm, I know.”
She continued to smile, her expression still relaxed, as if they were merely discussing what to have for dinner. Zheng Yihan, however, felt increasingly anxious, as if sitting on pins and needles.
He waved to the servant, saying, “Everything is arranged, right?”
The servant replied affirmatively, “Young Master, don’t worry. No matter who tries to disrupt things, those I arranged will ensure the manor is secure.”
Zheng Yihan pursed his lips; he hadn’t mentioned that what he wanted to protect wasn’t the manor, but Ji Qingli.
Perhaps it was instinct, but she showed no hint of pretense.
His Ah Li had truly distanced herself from him; she wanted to leave.
“Here they come!” With a cheerful commotion, Su Tingxue entered, supported by others, in a water-red long dress, breaking Zheng Yihan’s focus on Qingli.
The tea ceremony naturally began with Zheng’s parents.
Su Tingxue first glanced at Zheng Yihan, confirming his presence, which put her at ease. She obediently followed the steps: bowing three times and then presenting tea. “Master, Madam, please drink tea.”
“Good girl, good girl!” Zhang Shi said with a warm smile, taking the tea and drinking it in one go before handing over a red envelope.
Zheng Laoye did the same.
After this round of tea, it was Zheng Yihan’s turn. Following the same steps, he said, “Husband, Mistress, please drink tea.”
Zheng Yihan raised his smile again, glancing at Qingli, and took the tea first.
Once he drank, Su Tingxue felt a significant relief; the outcome seemed decided.
Yet, Qingli’s feelings still made her anxious. She carefully observed her, gripping the tray tightly, fearful that Qingli might spill the hot tea!
However, the vigilantly cautious Qingli simply raised her eyes, easily accepting the tea, smiling as she took a sip before setting it down.
There was not a hint of disturbance throughout.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Qingli blinked, then smiled and said, “This concubine’s tea is quite good.”
A collective gasp filled the air as everyone questioned, Is that it?
Su Tingxue could not help but look up at her, confusion deep in her eyes. She vividly remembered the slap from before; she thought that now, with Zhang Shi favoring her, Ji Qingli would become even more irritable and humiliate her.
Was it just that brief remark?!
This only deepened Zheng Yimo’s admiration for his elder brother; he was truly impressed to have Ji family’s daughter agree to let his brother take a concubine!
Although Zhang Shi felt disappointed, she was also satisfied. If Ji Qingli could accept a concubine so calmly, there would surely be a second and third; her son’s future generations would no longer be a dream.
Overjoyed, Zhang Shi surprisingly and sincerely praised her eldest daughter-in-law: “Ji family, well done. A primary wife must be magnanimous—”
“You’re mistaken,” Qingli suddenly interrupted, her smile radiant. “I am not magnanimous at all.”
Gasps echoed throughout the room, shock mixed with a hint of anticipation; finally, this was more like it!
A husband taking a concubine? Ji Qingli could not possibly remain this calm!
Zhang Shi’s face turned pale, and she scolded, “Ji Qingli!”
Rising, Qingli removed her hairpin, letting her long hair fall. At that moment, she produced a letter, facing Zhang Shi and the others, revealing the words—divorce papers. As they read it clearly, she declared, “A Ji family girl will never share a husband with another; this is not a casual statement. The divorce has been written. Today, I shall return home, and from now on, I shall have no ties with the Zheng family or Zheng Yihan!”
Divorce papers!
Zheng Yihan, feeling a knot in his stomach, leaned back against his chair, his chest pained, yet a sense of resigned acceptance washed over him.
His eyes betrayed his feelings of hurt and anger.
She truly intended to divorce!
Why couldn’t she try to understand him?!
What was meant to be a simple tea ceremony suddenly transformed into a divorce declaration. The room, previously filled with joy, now held wide-eyed disbelief.
The third son’s wife, who had just begun to understand the situation, gasped in envy and despair.
Ji Qingli could divorce because of the Ji family.
But she could not; no matter how much Zhang Shi tormented her, she couldn’t even dare to faint.
Zheng Yimo slowly closed his mouth, which had dropped in shock, swallowing hard.
He had been wrong.
His brother hadn’t managed to handle this sister-in-law; Ji Qingli was indeed difficult to deal with and was openly declaring her intent to divorce. But would it matter?
The formalities of taking a concubine had already passed; any resistance should have happened earlier!
Not just Zheng Yimo thought this way; everyone else did too, except for the woman who had noticed something odd about Qingli’s clothes.
Su Tingxue, still kneeling on the ground, hadn’t had the chance to rise before this upheaval occurred. She had thought it was an attack on her, feeling terrified, but now Ji Qingli wanted a divorce?
Su Tingxue didn’t believe Ji Qingli would truly go through with it. This commotion was likely a way to push Zheng’s family to compromise after her status changed from a concubine to a favored concubine.
Indeed, she was a sheltered girl, completely clueless.
The sudden excitement almost made her laugh, and she quickly lowered her head to hide her expression, suppressing her racing heart.
Zhang Shi was genuinely furious this time. Without thinking, she slammed her palm on the table and rose, exclaiming, “Ji Qingli, how dare you!”
She could look down on Ji Qingli, but had never truly considered her son and daughter-in-law divorcing.
After all, she was not a fool; she knew the benefits the Ji family brought!
But now that Ji Qingli proposed a divorce, it was entirely different. Zhang Shi was even more enraged that she dared to be so unfaithful!
At that moment, Zheng Yihan stood up, seemingly ignoring Qingli’s words, grabbing her wrist with one hand and pressing down on her shoulder with the other. He whispered, “You promised me you wouldn’t divorce! Ah Li, aren’t you Ji family members known for keeping your word?”
Qingli tilted her head slightly, smiling. “Recall what I said back then?”
Zheng Yihan’s expression froze as he remembered she had said she wouldn’t divorce for the time being!
At that moment, he realized something else: why did she make him swallow that bitter pill? Was it merely to tease him?
Thoughts raced through his mind, but calming Qingli was now the priority.
Zheng Yihan felt bitter on his tongue but was relieved he had prepared for this. He spoke firmly, “Ah Li, you’re tired; let’s go home for now.”
Qingli looked down at his hand gripping her wrist. “Do you think you can stop me?”
Zheng Yihan’s expression tightened, and he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and called, “Someone, escort the Young Mistress back to rest!”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152