Chapter 5: Sisters-in-Law and Husband-Wife

“Third sister-in-law, I never expected that even while Brother Yue was ill, you still made sure he continued his studies. With such dedication, I can never match you.”
After leaving the main residence of the Gu family, Dongfang Shi turned back after a few steps and threw these sour words at Sun Shi. She glanced at Zhang Yue with a half-smile before suddenly turning to scold her own two sons, “You two spend the whole year studying in school, yet you often can’t even memorize what you’ve learned. Learn from Brother Yue from now on, or else you’ll face punishment!”
Previously, the two brothers had already been reprimanded for encouraging Zhang Yue to climb trees, and although Dongfang Shi only gave them a mild warning and they didn’t suffer any real consequences, it was still embarrassing. Now, hearing their mother scold them in front of Zhang Yue, they became furious. The younger brother, Zhang Qi, glanced at Zhang Yue sideways and said in a deep voice, “Why learn from him? Should we learn from him by falling off trees too?”
The older brother, Zhang Chao, who had always been praised since childhood, also raised his head and said, “Mother, don’t you often say that studying isn’t important and that mastering martial arts is the real path? Didn’t Grandmother just say we should learn from our uncles to achieve military merits?”
Hearing this, Zhang Yue saw Dongfang Shi angrily scolding Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi, so he said smilingly, “Second aunt, I merely remembered an anecdote. How can I compare to my elder brothers who are skilled in both literature and martial arts? They can read, ride horses, draw bows, and wield weapons—unlike me, who even falls off trees. In short, I’m far inferior to them in both areas. I’ll need their guidance in the future!”
Zhang Chao was 13 and Zhang Qi was 12. Both of them loved hearing compliments and immediately brightened up at the mention of being skilled in both literature and martial arts. Hearing Zhang Yue admit his inferiority, they forgot all their earlier displeasure.
Before Dongfang Shi could respond, Zhang Qi immediately patted his chest, and Zhang Chao followed suit, saying with a smile, “Mother, our third brother is right. What happened last time was just an accident. With his thin arms and legs, if it weren’t for me and our second brother protecting him, he would have been bullied in school long ago. Don’t worry, third brother. As long as you follow us, we’ll never forget you when there are any benefits to be had!”

Dongfang Shi frowned deeply upon hearing this, but Zhang Yue’s words praising Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi as both brave and intelligent truly touched her heart, so she stopped caring about her sons talking among themselves. She stepped back and exchanged a few words with Sun Shi. After finishing the polite conversation, she saw her two sons still whispering with Zhang Yue and was somewhat puzzled. She stepped forward and quickly pulled them away with a few words.

The relationship between Sun Shi and Dongfang Shi as sister-in-laws had always been distant; they had merely exchanged perfunctory words earlier. Only after Dongfang Shi left did Sun Shi feel relieved. Leading her sons out of the courtyard where the main house was located and through the corridor to a less crowded path, she immediately ordered her two daughters-in-law to follow from a distance, then whispered warnings to Zhang Yue.

After hearing Sun Shi repeatedly instruct him not to get too close to Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi, almost as if warning him that certain people were dangerous, Zhang Yue could only nod repeatedly, though he secretly shook his head. Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi were just two spoiled little tyrants, and their impulsive temper was easy to deal with. From what could be seen, Dongfang Shi was at most competitive but probably didn’t really have any ill intentions toward him as her nephew.

Suddenly, remembering that he hadn’t seen his second cousin from the second branch at Gu Shi’s place all day, he grew curious. After walking a few more steps, he asked, “Mother, why didn’t I see my second sister at Grandma’s place?”

“Your second sister?” Sun Shi was stunned for a while before realizing who that referred to. She sneered, “The old lady prefers boys. Your second sister is an illegitimate daughter, so naturally she rarely gets the chance to appear in front of her.”

“I see.”

It was dark on the road, so Sun Shi couldn’t see the thoughtful expression on Zhang Yue’s face. Thinking about how she had rarely received praise from her mother-in-law that day, she felt somewhat buoyant as she walked. Although her family had some money, it couldn’t compare to the Zhang family’s wealth. Her two brothers were always eager to outdo others, so there wasn’t much to rely on. Glancing down at her son walking with his head down, a vague idea arose in her mind. Perhaps her husband was right—sons were their hope for success. She had only this one son, her only reliance. Of course, she was happy to see him strive for knowledge and advancement. Once he achieved fame or military honors, she could also hope to receive a title. Since a wife’s status depends on her husband’s, couldn’t she, as a mother, gain status through her son?

The mother and son returned to the western courtyard. Just then, Zhang Zhuo, reeking of alcohol, stepped through the courtyard gate. Seeing her husband in such a drunken state, Lady Sun grew annoyed immediately and hurriedly ordered two maids to help support him. Then she scolded, “It’s so late yet you come back drunk. If the old lady finds out, you’ll surely get a scolding!”

By now, Zhang Zhuo was so drunk that his tongue was barely under control. Despite his wife’s rebukes, he didn’t get angry but instead chuckled and said, “I’m happy today… not only for our son… but also for myself! You… don’t you want that pair of jade bracelets from my second sister? I’ll… buy them for you!”

Hearing her husband speak as if trying to please her, Zhang Yue almost burst into laughter. The two maids holding Zhang Zhuo from either side wanted to laugh but dared not; their faces turned red from holding back their smiles. Lady Sun spat irritably, “What nonsense! I have to serve the old lady every day. What would it look like if I wore jade bracelets? I’d surely get scolded for no reason!”

After helping her husband into the room at the east end, Lady Sun sent Qiu Hen to take her son to bed. She didn’t need any maids and personally removed her husband’s boots and clothes. After helping him lie down in bed, she was about to check on her son when, as she turned around, someone firmly grabbed her wrist.

“Yingru, you’ve really suffered a lot these years.”

Lady Sun shuddered and slowly turned around. She saw her husband’s drunken eyes fixed intently on her. After a moment of silence, she smiled and said, “What are you saying, husband? Husband and wife are one. What suffering could there be? We have Yue, right?”

“That’s right, we have Yue. He’s my only son. Everything I couldn’t have back then, I want to compensate him for now…” Zhang Zhuo said, using some strength to pull Lady Sun into his arms. Then he whispered, “Today I drank with them and got some good news. Let me tell you…”

“Really?”

“Of course! Although the old lady is a bit closer to Yue now than before, as I told you, it’s hard to say she won’t abandon him in a few days. In two months, it will be the old lady’s 60th birthday. Without this advantage, we’ll surely struggle to prepare a birthday gift. After all, she is the legitimate aunt of the Duke of Ying. If she speaks in our favor, Yue’s future will have hope.”

So, the delighted couple couldn’t help but indulge in affection in their room. The creaking sound of their bed could be heard through the gap in the curtain, causing the two maids still waiting outside to blush, and filling Zhang Yue, who had already gone to bed in the next room, with sorrow. After all, it was hard for a night owl from his past life to go to bed so early. Now, with such sounds coming from over there, should he even try to sleep? Yet, hearing those sounds, he felt a faint sense of relief and secret joy. He didn’t want his parents in this life to be a couple who appeared respectful but were actually estranged, and from what had happened these days, it was clear that their love for each other was assured.