Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Fengxian carefully cut the satin in her hands, lingering to examine it closely. A maidservant came in and reported, "The eldest young master has arrived and wishes to pay his respects to the old lady. He asked the seventh young lady to make way for him." The eldest and second young masters both studied at the county school and had a ten-day break. Liulian got up and slipped into a side room. The two brothers came in, and the elder brother placed a basket of cherries on the kang table, saying, "These are freshly picked cherries, Grandmother, please have a taste. They're from Cai Garden; Cai-ge and I picked them this morning."

Grandma Liu chuckled and chatted with her grandson for a few moments before instructing someone to wash the cherries. After a moment of silence, she said, "Cai-ge, when are you going to bring your wife back? She's been staying at her parents' house for a month now, hasn't she? This time, your sister-in-law wasn't feeling well, and the Du family even sent someone over!"

The second young master of the Liu family, Rui Cai, knew this would happen upon his return and was prepared. He replied, "Grandmother, this Du Shi is only good at being jealous and has no tolerance for others. If we don't teach her a lesson this time, she'll rebel! Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"

"Bullshit! A young couple like you, even if they bicker a bit, it's fine as it is. How can you leave it unattended for months on end!"

"It's because she herself doesn't want to come back! Last time I went to invite her, those brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law almost tore me apart and ate me with vinegar. I dare not go again!"

"Good boy, go and give the Du family a way out. Bring her back properly. The festival is coming soon. What's the point of her staying at her parents' house all the time? It's better for the two of them to be happy together. I'm still waiting to hold my grandson!"

Liu Ruicai buried his head in the arms of the old lady of the Liu family, insisting on being held by his grandmother, which made the old lady laugh so hard she almost choked, groaning! Fengxian quickly stepped forward and gently patted the old lady's back, saying seriously, "Second brother, Father will be back soon for the May Festival. He's been working hard all his life, do you expect him to still worry when he comes home? Have your eldest brother go with you to bring your sister-in-law back. If the whole family is happy and harmonious, Father will be pleased too, won't he?"

Liu Ruicai, fearless except for his father, reluctantly agreed, "Tomorrow, today's an inauspicious day! Grandma, let's put a plate of cherries on the altar first." As he spoke, he began picking cherries onto the plate. The old lady of the Liu family then instructed the maid who had brought in the cherries, "Tell the kitchen to add two dishes that the young masters like and send them to their rooms. I'll only have Miss Huo's seventh daughter eat here." With that, she waved her hand, telling her two grandsons to change their clothes.

Liu Ruicai dashed back to his courtyard. A beautiful maid with a slender waist and graceful figure stood at the entrance of the side room, anxiously looking outside. Liu Ruicai quickly stepped forward and hugged the maid, his lips naturally parting to kiss hers as he cheerfully asked, "Did you miss me, huh?" The maid, relieved to see him, still acted stubbornly, turning and entering the room without even opening the curtains for him. Rui Cai wasn't offended. He smiled slyly, leaned closer, and put his arm around the maid's shoulder. "Good Xing'er, my darling, I've missed you for ten days. Don't you miss me at all? You little ingrate! There's only one basket of cherries in the main house, and you have half a basket all to yourself! You're never satisfied!" As he spoke, he started touching her roughly. The maid got flustered and flung her hand away, angrily saying, "Master, you're so heartless! I haven't changed my clothes for two months. How many more days can I hide it? The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. You'll definitely have to bring the young mistress back from the back courtyard. Do you think I'll survive? You lied to me so sweetly, but now do you think I can live or die?" She started sobbing. Liu Rui Cai sat up straight, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He really liked this Hong Xing'er and wanted to take her as a concubine, but his wife absolutely refused. The two had been arguing for several days, and Du Shi had stormed back to her parents' home, demanding a divorce. Liu Ruicai really wanted to give her a divorce, but it was just a thought. Not only did her father disagree, but her grandmother disagreed, and even her mother disagreed. Hongxinger was devoted to him, her status awkward, not even considered a concubine. She was often mistreated. When Ruicai stood up for her and argued with Madam Du, Hongxinger would always kneel and beg them, her head banging against the ground, tears streaming down her face! Every time he touched the bumps on Hongxinger's forehead, Ruicai's heart broke. He hated himself for not being able to stand up for her and letting his beloved suffer such injustice. Hongxinger would only nestle in his arms and sob softly, urging him to reconcile with the young mistress. How could that jealous woman not tolerate such a kind and righteous girl!

"Master, please find me a place to stay. Before, I was all alone, and I could endure any hardship as long as you loved me. But now, you don't have a legitimate eldest son. Not only will the young mistress not tolerate me, but I'm afraid even the old lady won't. In this house, the child will definitely not survive!" Liu Ruicai felt his heart break. Hong Xing'er's words pierced his heart. Looking at the beautiful woman sobbing uncontrollably in his arms, a surge of heroic spirit rose from his heart and rushed to his head!

Liu Ruicai rushed out the door, his mind calming down slightly. He began to use his rarely used brain to think: Who should he ask for help with this? His sister-in-law definitely wouldn't help him; his brother would certainly listen to her in such matters—it's better to avoid trouble, especially since his sister-in-law had just miscarried, and his brother wouldn't want to upset her because of him. Although his mother didn't object to taking a concubine, she couldn't make the decision herself; his grandmother had always disliked his mother, and if she asked, she would definitely be rebuffed. His grandmother had always disliked men taking concubines, and besides, his brother was thirty years old and childless, and hadn't taken a concubine yet—how could he bring it up? Du Shi would be back tomorrow, and he couldn't stay home all the time. She had plenty of ways to deal with Hong Xing'er. If she found out Hong Xing'er was pregnant, she would definitely make a scene, either selling her off or killing her. Should he buy a house outside to settle Xing'er? Where would the money come from? Should he ask his mother?

His mother disagreed with his plan, poking him with a finger in exasperation. "Are you stupid? Let's not even talk about how much it would cost to buy another house. Can you go and watch over her every day? A woman living alone, how can she not have some promiscuous woman to scheme against? If you don't keep an eye on her, she'll... well, she'll be a living turtle! If Madam Du finds out, she'll beat her to a pulp, and who will dare stop her? At home, as long as it's done openly, let's see if Madam Du can even stab her with a finger! Go to the old lady, kneel down and apologize, saying that Madam Du was angry with you, you were upset, and you made a big mistake while drunk. Who knew Hongxing would be pregnant? Madam Du definitely won't tolerate her. Beg the old lady to save Hongxing's life. Don't mention taking a concubine, just say that Hongxing can serve her! We can't let the Liu family's child be left outside! Once she gives birth, whether Hongxing is kicked out or sold is up to Grandmother!"

"But, mother..."

"Listen to me, go ahead, you won't go wrong! That old woman always responds to gentle persuasion but not force. Make her ask you to take her as a concubine, and see if that Du woman dares to utter a single word!"