In the future… I’ll have to rely on Fourth Cousin.
After returning from Baiyun Nunnery, Third Master summoned Sang Wu to his presence.
“Daughter-in-law, kneel down,” he commanded.
Third Madam was astonished. “What… what is this?”
Third Master had always been gentle and kind toward the younger generation, rarely losing his temper. Recently, he had even been persuading Third Madam not to blame Sang Wu for Sixth Brother’s affairs.
But now, he looked at Sang Wu with a heavy gaze.
Having been married to him for a lifetime, Third Madam had never seen him so solemn before. She was both alarmed and puzzled.
Sang Wu, however, was only momentarily stunned.
After collecting herself, she asked no questions, lifted the hem of her skirt, and knelt down with her back straight.
Third Master gave her a complicated look. “I want you… to swear an oath here today.”
Those in high positions often preferred others to be obedient and easy to control. So, an oath it would be.
Sang Wu lowered her eyes and spoke respectfully, “Wu Niang swears that even if she becomes a Jian-si wife with Fourth Cousin, it will only be for the sake of continuing the family line. She will never change her heart or betray Sixth Brother…”
“No, I want you to swear,” Third Master interrupted her, enunciating each word clearly, “that in the future, you will absolutely protect Lan Niang.”
Sang Wu was taken aback.
She had guessed wrong.
Third Madam’s tears fell instantly.
Third Master asked, “Good child, you will repay kindness with gratitude, won’t you?”
He didn’t need Sang Wu to swear eternal loyalty—that was all false.
The brilliant and extraordinary Zhuangyuan, a figure admired by all men.
To be his wife would make a lifetime worthwhile. Sang Wu was still young—how could she not be moved?
But whether it was the protection he had offered in the past or the ladder to success he was now handing her—
You will repay kindness with gratitude, won’t you?
Third Master scrutinized her seriously.
Sang Wu looked into his eyes and saw the deep concern within.
Her lips moved slightly.
This kind of feeling—whether it was familial affection or romantic love—was, in any case, too unfamiliar to her.
She had lied… to Pei Silang.
Her life had been divided by marriage. Before that, she had spent all her efforts trying to escape the Sang Family.
The Pei Family was a prominent clan in Yuhang County. Although Pei Liulang was mediocre in talent, he was the only son, and the assets of the third branch would eventually be passed down to him.
Most importantly, he liked Sang Wu but asked for nothing in return.
Sometimes, Sang Wu wondered: if nothing unexpected had happened, perhaps she could have truly grown to like him after spending more time together.
Shen Huai, that lecherous old devil, was not only old but also cruel and tyrannical.
The Sang Family was not so poor that they had to sell their daughter—they simply wanted to humiliate her.
The clan members had accepted bribes and, seeing that Lady Zhao had given her father a son, turned a blind eye to this behavior.
With no way out, Sang Wu had supported the grief-stricken Third Madam in front of Pei Liulang’s spirit tablet and said with reddened eyes, “Madam, since Xin Lang is gone, from now on, let A Wu fulfill his filial duties before his parents.”
But the Pei Family’s rules were truly strict.
Only after marrying in did she discover that there were such principles in the world.
Widows were not allowed to do this, widows were not allowed to do that. It was as if when a woman lost her husband, her soul was buried along with him. Laughter, desires, and thoughts were all forbidden, leaving only her physical body to guard her chastity for her deceased husband.
If she had been born with a submissive nature, she might have accepted her fate. But she had gone to great lengths to escape that place precisely because she refused to live a muddled life.
Third Master was actually the first person in the world to see her so clearly.
Sang Wu was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
After a long while, she slowly bent down, her forehead touching the back of her hand. "If not for the Third Branch taking me in, I don’t know what state Sang Wu would be in today."
"In the future, I will repay my mother-in-law for a lifetime and protect her."
This bow was gentle yet restrained, solemn and earnest.
Third Master gazed at her for a moment, nodded, then let out a long sigh, retracting his sharpness and returning to his usual calm demeanor.
He instructed Third Madam to help Sang Wu up and asked softly, "What did Fourth Brother say today?"
Remembering Pei Xu’s final instructions… Sang Wu lowered her eyes and said, "Fourth Cousin is still undecided."
Third Master shook his head and smiled.
His nephew, after all, was a young master from a prominent family, a standard Scholar-Gentry.
He had studied the teachings of Confucius and Mencius since childhood, fully trained in the norms of worldly etiquette. In his inner world, a tightly sealed room had been built with benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and ethical principles as its beams and pillars—all rules he followed in his conduct.
Now, if someone were to tell him that the etiquette he believed in had flaws, and the ethical principles he upheld could be compromised, it would be like tearing the roof off that room.
Even if the scales weighing pros and cons in his heart wavered, it would still take time for him to resist and accept it.
He said, "No rush, he’ll figure it out soon."
Sang Wu hesitated.
Third Master noticed and said, "Speak your mind, don’t hold back."
Sang Wu tentatively asked, "This matter… should also be reported to Grandmother, Second Aunt, and the elders of the clan, right?"
"I…"
Even with Pei Liulang, Old Madam was unwilling. Now, with Pei Silang, whom even Sixth Brother looked up to… Sang Wu had enough self-awareness to harbor doubts about this matter.
Third Master said calmly, "Clan matters are not for you to worry about."
With her worries eased, Third Master was willing to offer her some guidance: "Second Sister-in-law is by no means a rigid or stubborn person. More than background, she values a sense of ‘compatibility.’ If she doesn’t take a liking to someone, even a princess of royal blood would be useless."
Some people may seem well-matched but cannot connect in conversation.
For example, his Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law were clearly well-matched in status, talent, and appearance—who wouldn’t call them a perfect pair? Yet, after marriage, they clashed at every turn.
Third Master rubbed his forehead. "You are gentler, and Second Sister-in-law likes bright, lively girls."
Sang Wu obediently took the lesson to heart.
After that day, she encountered Pei Xu several times in the garden, every now and then.
Sometimes, across the lake, Sang Wu would pass by the shore and see him brewing tea in the pavilion at the center of the lake. Other times, on her way to pay respects to Old Madam, they would meet face-to-face under a long, flower-draped wooden corridor.
Each time, Sang Wu would curtsy from a distance.
He would nod in return, his gaze never straying.
An invisible barrier seemed to exist between them.
Until this day.
The morning sunlight was exceptionally bright, illuminating the garden with the splendor of spring.
As Sang Wu walked along the flower-draped wooden corridor, she looked up and saw two young ladies on the fragrant garden path, playfully cutting apricot blossoms.
"This one is nice, I want this one!"
"The one next to it is blooming more vibrantly!"
Their voices were bright and crisp, like spring orioles chirping. Tao Zhier’s eyes widened in alarm.
Sang Wu paused and turned to instruct, "Let’s take another path."
Tao Zhier nodded repeatedly.
Before they could take two steps, a sharp, commanding voice rang out from behind: "Sang Wu, stop right there!"
This shout carried an especially overwhelming force.
Tao Zhier trembled all over, her feet as if filled with lead, unable to move another step.
Stiffly turning her head, she saw Pei Ba Niang, who had been smiling brightly just moments ago, standing there glaring at them with knitted brows and wide eyes.
In her hand, she held a pair of scissors, the blades still clinging to a few damp apricot petals.
How terrifying!
"Young Madam…" Tao Zhier nervously tugged at Sang Wu's sleeve.
Sang Wu let out a soft sigh.
Weren't they supposed to keep her under strict supervision? Yet after just a few days of confinement for reflection, she was let out again to cause trouble… Hmm, that description almost made her sound like a little dog.
Sang Wu couldn't help but find it amusing.
In the time it took to turn around, Pei Ba Niang had already hurried over.
Only then did Sang Wu notice the young girl following behind her—delicate and refined in appearance, with a solemn expression and slightly hunched shoulders.
The very picture of a well-bred young lady from a respectable family.
Sang Wu smiled at the two of them. "Eighth Younger Sister, Miss He, what a refined mood you're in."
Pei Ba Niang rolled her eyes dramatically. "Don't try to act so familiar."
She declared, "I have something to warn you about!"
The young girl put on a serious face, her expression tight, which only made her cheeks appear rounder and utterly unconvincing.
Sang Wu nodded. "Alright."
Pei Ba Niang began, "Although all the past mistakes were yours…"
Sang Wu raised an eyebrow.
Pei Ba Niang squirmed uncomfortably, almost mumbling as she admitted, "But after all, you are now my sixth brother's wife…"
She spoke earnestly, "Sister A Yin is gentle and kind, and she won't argue with you over trivial matters. From now on, you shouldn't gossip or say unnecessary things either, understand?"
It seemed some of her previous words had gotten through to her after all. Sang Wu smiled gently and replied, "Alright."
Pei Ba Niang's temperament was just like that. Sang Wu didn't expect to reconcile with her; it was enough if they could coexist peacefully.
However, the other scrutinizing gaze was far too intense… Sang Wu couldn't simply ignore it.
He Yin met her eyes and instinctively took a step back.
"Miss He," Sang Wu said softly, "if you have something to say, please speak frankly."
"Nothing…" He Yin forced a smile.
But…
Sang Wu stood beneath the corridor, her eyes and brows softened by the glow of spring.
He Yin stared at her for a moment, hesitating several times before finally blurting out, "Lady Sang, I… I want to ask you."
"You…" she lowered her voice, seeking confirmation, "are you about to stop mourning for Xin Lang?"
The smile faded from Sang Wu's face.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Pei Ba Niang exclaimed, "What? What!"
Why didn't she know anything about this!
He Yin's breath trembled. "I… I accidentally overheard the mammy in my aunt's room today saying… Lady Sang, is it true?"
Sang Wu remained silent.
Pei Ba Niang was completely absorbed in her own shock.
"How… how could you do this!" He Yin's shoulders trembled, her eyes instantly welling with tears, her delicate face filled with sorrow. "He did it for you… you don't deserve it!"
Outwardly, Sang Wu appeared frail, with slender shoulders and a delicate waist, looking gentle and fragile.
Third Madam also liked her obedient and well-behaved nature.
But in truth, she was quite impatient with He Yin's tearful behavior.
Especially… the constant refrain of "he did it for you."
It was tiresome to hear.
If it were just the Pei Family saying such things, fine—but what was this He Jiu Niang trying to do?
Sang Wu smiled faintly, her words carrying a deeper meaning. "I've always heard that Miss He was deeply grieved by the young master's passing. Such profound affection—I must thank you on behalf of his parents."
"I…" He Yin opened her mouth, her face slowly flushing red.
Only after calming down did she remember she was in someone else's home.
A group of young maids peeked curiously from the corridor, watching the scene unfold.
That kind of behavior that couldn't be brought to light was just like how she had been secretly sizing up Sang Wu.
Yet she was so delicately beautiful and lovely.
She glared hatefully at Sang Wu and left in shame.
Sang Wu said to the still-dazed Pei Ba Niang, "If Eighth Younger Sister has no further instructions, I'll take my maid and leave first."
Pei Ba Niang hurriedly shouted, "Wait!"
She chased after her to question, "I haven't asked you yet… what was all that about just now?"
"Aren't you going to mourn for my sixth brother? You want to remarry? Who to? Where did this adulterer come from? Is it that Ninth Young Master from the Cao family before?"
"You can't do this, my sixth brother died because of you, you—no, his body isn't even cold yet, you… if you have any conscience at all…"
Pei Ba Niang's words came out like rapid-fire.
Sang Wu suddenly stopped walking and curtsied, "Fourth Cousin."
Pei Ba Niang looked up in confusion.
On the steps at the corner of the long corridor, her elder brother stood tall and imposing, shining with golden light.
Pei Ba Niang frowned, realizing it was because he was so tall that he blocked the sunlight.
Somehow, seeing him now made her instinctively feel guilty. But upon second thought, she hadn't done anything out of line today, and her confidence gradually returned.
Pei Xu stood tall and slender, having been watching them quietly for who knows how long.
He wore a light yellow round-collar robe today, buttoned meticulously, revealing just a hint of the white gauze inner garment's collar. The sunlight's hue spread across his robe, so dazzlingly beautiful it was almost dizzying.
Sang Wu glanced at him a moment longer.
Thinking it would be like the previous times, she intended to exchange greetings and then pass by.
But Pei Xu stopped her.
"How is Third Uncle's spirit today?"
Sang Wu was surprised.
"…Still quite well?"
Pei Xu was silent for a moment, "Good." After a pause, he added, "At the hour of Chen, the clan elders will gather at the ancestral hall…"
Sang Wu froze, looking up.
Pei Xu also raised his eyes, "You come too."
Sang Wu hadn't known this matter had already reached this point.
No wonder even He Jiu Niang could hear the servants in Old Madam's room gossiping.
She took a deep breath, "Alright, I…"
Pei Ba Niang let out a loud cry.
She suddenly understood, "It's you two!"
This abrupt, incoherent statement made Pei Xu's brow furrow involuntarily.
Before he could say anything, Pei Ba Niang charged forward!
She wasn't like a little dog—more like a small bull.
Sang Wu instinctively stepped further back.
But someone reacted faster than her.
Sang Wu had already stepped onto the stairs, intending to pass by Pei Xu's side. After he stopped her, she had paused on the step below him.
So when Pei Ba Niang rushed forward, Pei Xu instinctively reached out to block her.
Unexpectedly, Pei Ba Niang, though appearing spoiled, had indeed grown up pampered. She hadn't even used much force, yet she stumbled two steps and fell sideways to the ground.
This outcome left all three momentarily stunned.
Only when Pei Ba Niang felt humiliated and burst into loud sobs did the maids rush over in panic to help her up.
Pei Ba Niang wailed tearfully, "You pushed me for her! What kind of elder brother are you!"
Pei Xu: "…"
He corrected, "It was blocking."
"I'm going to tell Grandmother about you!" Pei Ba Niang cried loudly, "That's not enough—I'll tell Second Sister about you! You're even stealing Sixth Brother's wife, let her punish you!"
"…"
Sang Wu barely managed to hold back her laughter. She still had to be understanding.
It was quite a struggle to suppress it.
Pei Xu's silence seemed to give Pei Ba Niang the courage to cry even louder.
He restrained himself and said in a low voice, "How long are you going to embarrass yourself?"
He added, "Go back first."
He carried a chill about him, sharp as frost and snow.
Pei Ba Niang shrank back, seizing the opportunity to step down, allowing the maids to help her up.
"I shall take my leave," Pei Ba Niang said, sniffling and deliberately enunciating each word, "Fourth Brother, Sixth Sister-in-law!"
Pei Xu: "…"
The dazzling Pei Silang had likely rarely experienced such a moment of embarrassment in his life. Returning to the old residence, he was still suppressed by his own flesh-and-blood sister.
Sang Wu, sharp-eyed, noticed that his entire body froze for an instant.
Unable to hold back, she lowered her head.
Only her slender shoulders trembled slightly, clearly stifling a laugh.
Pei Xu gave her a deep look, the corners of his mouth slightly downturned.
Sang Wu tactfully said, "I shall return as well."
But after taking only a few steps, she paused and turned back.
Outside the corridor, the surging and radiant spring light spilled over the hanging flowers. She stood there in a slightly worn dress, her eyes tender, the tear mole vivid.
She bowed gracefully to Pei Xu.
She said, "From now on… I shall rely on Fourth Cousin."
Author's Note:
① parents-in-law here refers to parents-in-law.