Chapter 7 - Attitudes of Nima’s Wives (2/2)

The premise was that their new lovers were better than the old ones.

For breakfast they had porridge made with meat paste. It tasted sour and whetted their appetite. Yang Zhen said, “The porridge tastes good. Master, please give the cooks some small ingots of silver as a reward. The dished they have prepared these days are delicious.”

Ju Juxian said, “Humph! They don’t deserve a reward because they are all lazy.”

She vented her anger by accusing the cooks of being lazy.

Ci filled a bowl with the porridge and handed it to Nima who took it and said, “No need for you to do that. You can ask the maid to serve me.”

The maid, Yan stood by and felt resentment against Ci.

“Ask the butlers to buy some fine clothes. I want the wedding to take place this afternoon.” Nima put down his chopsticks and stood up.

Ci watched Nima walk out of the main hall.

Ju Juxian flung the bowl to the ground with anger and said sarcastically, “How can Master take her as his fourth wife? She’s just a low woman.”

Ji Jing soothed, “Take it easy. Although Master is intrigued by her now, the novelty will wear off quickly. By then she is nothing compared to you.”

Yang Zhen took Ci’s hand and ignored their taunts towards Ci. “Ci, follow me to my bedroom. I have a gift for you.”

The gift was the lute which had been accidentally broke in two by Ci yesterday but now was skillfully glued together. The join was barely visible.

“Sister, how did you know…” Ci was deeply moved, on the verge of tears.

“It was just a piece of cake for me. I asked someone to get the lute back last night. Take it easy. I did that because I really like you.” Yang Zhen put her hand on Ci’s bosom and gently pinched her breast. “Your skin is much too delicate.”

Ci picked up the lute and asked, “The lute is repaired so well. Sister, what kind of glues did you used?”

“The familial glue.” Yang Zhen smiled, “I am so glad that you like it. Only when Master is in a good mood can we live an easy life.”

The lute made of red sandalwood was a birthday gift from Ci’s father. Ci’s father had carved two lines of verse on the back of the lute–

“Girls of 13 and 14 are slender and graceful, like the budding cardamom flowers in February.”