Chapter 14 - Hand in Hand by the Roadside (1/2)
Madam Yun also laughed. Although she had more than ten children, from the beginning, the position of the eldest son from the principal husband was above those of the other children. Shi Yi and Shi Wei were Master Yun’s children, thus had a status that her secondary husbands’ children were not capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with.
“After you all have finished eating, you two brothers and Zhu Zhu come over to my courtyard. I’ll ask the kitchen to add some more dishes so don’t return to your residence tonight. Shi Yi, Mother knows you are busy with your shop in the city, but it’s not often that you return home so just stay another night!”
The head of the Yun household earnestly said in a well-mannered fashion while putting on airs. The way his parents spoke to him were unlike how they spoke to their other sons, where they usually instructed and admonished.
“Understood. This son will do as Mother bids.”
Madam Yun looked with satisfaction at her son and daughter-in-law before leaving Jian Garden. The two Yun brothers and Ruan Zhu sent her to the entrance, staying until they could no longer see no figure. Afterwards, Yun Shi Wei shouted loudly: “Dao Qiang, Jian Ji, go order Xiao Feng and Xiao Shan, those two disgraceful dogs, to come over for this old master! Fuck, they even dare to sell out this old master. I must get rid of these two backstabbers[a].”
Madam Yun must have received the information that he had been insulted by Ma Cui Yun from Xiao Feng and Xiao Shan.
Ruan Zhu pfft in laughter. She had heard Yun Shi Yi mention Xiao Feng’s and Xiao Shan’s backstories on their ride to the Yun family manor. They were originally slaves that had been born and raised in this residence and then later, followed Yun Shi Yi. All their contract expenses had been paid by the eldest young master of the Yun family and had zero connection with the second young master. From what basis did he want to use to call them backstabbers?
Suddenly, her waist felt tight–Yun Shi Wei had picked her up into the air, freely laughing: “Zhu Zhu, Spouse, you can’t leave. You’ve already agreed to stay in Jian Garden and accompany me.”
He had agreed, but when did she agree?
Ruan Zhu looked at Yun Shi Yi, her eyes crying out for help. He smiled at her, signaling soundlessly with his mouth: Be at ease!
Helpless, Ruan Zhu was carried by the Yun family’s second young master into his bedroom.
Nowadays, there were many things that caused one to feel depressed. The Chinese football team failed to qualify for the World Cup; basketball has finally come close to football, joining hands and succeeding in becoming fellows in the same boat, both contributing to corrupting the world of sport; women’s volleyball has slid from its legendary state in the 80’s to now being below average; and at the Olympics, Liu Xiang hurt his leg.
But, now all of that has nothing to do with her. It’s better for her to look after what is currently in front of her eyes!
Ruan Zhu was carried by Yun Shi Wei onto the bed. Miserably, she sized up his bedroom. There was no trace of an attractive style at all. It was all furniture: chairs and tables, a bed. There was none of Yun Shi Yi’s literary and elegant style. No famous paintings, no guqin, there weren’t any calligraphy scrolls or anything that even remotely resembled paper.
The bed’s mattress was not thick enough–it looked to be about the same thickness as her waist. It could be said that the one sleeping on this mattress had to have a strong body. Rather than saying this was the room of a rich second generation, it was better to call it a military barrack.
“Hey, rich second generation….ah, no, Second Cousin, are you poor?” When it comes to Ruan Zhu, this person, she was normally unusually absent-minded and her temperament was also a little muddle-headed. Prior to age fifteen, even if she had walked a path three of four times before, she would still get lost. With an exception for the romance novels she loved to read where she could remember every single characteristic of all the attractive male leads, she could still sometimes forget to do the homework that her teachers had assigned the same day. Even she herself was surprised by how she got into college. How had she managed to muddle her way to a passing score?
“Poor?” Yun Shi Wei was in the middle of untying her clothes. Hearing her question, his movements stopped.
Ruan Zhu’s waist and legs were still sore from this morning’s passionate scene. Feeling somewhat uneasy after remembering his reckless enthusiasm, she looked all around her for a topic to divert the attention of the other party. “This bed will injure my back and waist. If I lay down on it, the muscles of my back will become strained. You are a man so your body may not feel uncomfortable, but if a woman’s back has the slightest injury, she will be unable to bear children.”
Yun Shi Wei’s expression became serious. Not being able to have children was a grave matter as it was a major problem with severe consequences. He spun on his heel, heading towards the living room before pushing the door open to go outside.
“Dao Qiang, Jian Ji, go to Steward Zhao and bring two thick mattresses over. Hurry, I’m impatiently waiting to use them!”
Arriving at the courtyard, he pulled open the door and shouted out. He was so loud that Ruan Zhu could clearly hear him from the bedroom. This idiot, how could he say it like that? Wouldn’t the people listening to him have their imaginations run wild?
Feeling satisfied, Yun Shi Wei returned to his bedroom only to find the room empty of people except him. There was no sight of his beloved woman’s footprints and he stared blankly for a while. Abruptly, he flew into a rage: “Yun Shi Yi, you despicable bastard, lacking in morals. I, Yun Shi Wei, am not finished with you!”
On a sandstone road outside the Yun manor, Ruan Zhu wandered side by side with her hubby from the ancient era. Immersing herself in the warm breeze, she admired the vast open country and fields full of the figures of bustling farmers working in groups of two or three people, sowing seeds. Her mood also became tranquil.
The ancient era did not have internet or modern civilization but this primitive atmosphere that was pure and dignified really fascinated her.
“Second Cousin won’t be angry, right?”
“No matter. He has an irascible temperament but also cools down quickly. Later, if you just say a few words and coax him a little, I promise he will be all smiles.” Yun Shi Yi smiled and reached out a hand to smooth her long jet-black hair that had been blown in disarray by the wind. “But tonight you should still sleep in Jian Garden or else the lion would probably roar in rage.”
“Then you accompany me.” She didn’t have the courage to face the wild beast alone.
“That’s exactly what I was hoping for.” Yun Shi Yi’s voice was as bright and clear as the sky.
The two people walked hand in hand. From their back came a carriage, and as it came closer, it turned out Fifth Husband Zhao was the one driving. Seeing the Yun heir by the roadside, he immediately got out of the carriage to bow in respect.
The status of a secondary husband was much stronger than that of a bed warmer. The former were able to be recorded into the household registry by the authorities and were considered to be half a slave of their Wife while the latter were considered to be true slaves. It could be said that bed warmers did not have any status whatsoever and were considered their master’s property. Under Tian Chu’s laws, it was not illegal for a family to beat one of their bed warmers or other ‘true’ slaves to death.