Chapter 17

Fang Hanxiao agreed so readily because Ying Yue was right next door, making it no trouble for him.

However, Ying Yue, who had been signaled to follow, took two steps and froze in fear when she realized they were heading to the main chamber: “M-me? Really see Old Master Fang?”

How could she dare? If she upset Old Master Fang and something happened, she could never make up for it.

Fang Hui eagerly stood on tiptoes to pull her along: “Eldest sister-in-law, come.”

Though she found her elder brother infuriating in every other way, there was one thing she couldn’t help but acknowledge: Since Fang Hanxiao’s return, he had taken full charge of caring for Old Master Fang, dismissing all maids and servants. Initially, he had slept on a makeshift bed right by Old Master Fang’s bedside. Only as the wedding date approached did Old Master Fang insist he rest properly, forcing him to move to a daybed farther away—though still in the same room—so he could personally attend to every call without relying on others.

Old Master Fang’s revival from the clutches of the Book of Life and Death was entirely due to this elder brother’s efforts. Perhaps servants could have provided equally meticulous care, but none could offer the same emotional comfort. To the elderly, a grandson was truly the apple of their eye.

With his return, Old Master Fang’s fading vitality had rekindled. Even when Fang Hanxiao exasperated him to the point of glaring, it was a glare of fond exasperation.

In other words, if Fang Hanxiao believed Ying Yue could meet Old Master Fang, then she could—without any worry about upsetting him.

Thus, before even entering the inner chamber, Fang Hui called out cheerfully: “Grandfather, I’ve brought Eldest sister-in-law to pay her respects!”

With no way to retreat, Ying Yue had no choice but to follow.

Contrary to her expectations of a dim sickroom, the inner chamber was bright and tidy. Only an Eight Immortals Offering Longevity screen stood diagonally by the bed, softening the sunlight from the windows without leaving the rest of the room oppressively dark.

A tea set and writing tools adorned the table, while scrolls and paintings hung on the walls. At first glance, it was an elegantly arranged and comfortable space.

“Grandfather,” Fang Hui greeted casually before skipping to the bedside. Here, she behaved most like her eight-year-old self, sweetly asking, “Grandfather, are you feeling better today?”

Old Master Fang replied kindly, “Much better.”

“That’s a relief,” Fang Hui said with exaggerated solemnity. “Grandfather, our eldest branch has a new member—I have an eldest sister-in-law now! She’s come to pay her respects to you.”

Old Master Fang responded with a faint, “Hmm.”

The sound was strained, but given his weakened state, any utterance would naturally lack vigor, making the difference unnoticeable to most.

A maid brought over a brocade cushion. As a new bride’s first greeting was a formal ceremony, Ying Yue was forced into kneeling beside the screen, not daring to glance toward the bed. Softly, she murmured, “Greetings to Old Master Fang.”

She should have prefaced it with “your granddaughter-in-law,” but the words stuck in her throat, and she glossed over it, using her speech impediment as an excuse.

Old Master Fang: “…”

Suddenly, he slapped the bed, as if wanting to say something but couldn’t, choking on his breath before coughing violently.

Terrified, Ying Yue scrambled backward, ready to flee—she had said she shouldn’t come! Look, she’d really upset him!

She wanted to run but didn’t get far. Fang Hanxiao was standing right beside her, and as she turned, she bumped into the hem of his robe. Her vision blocked, she instinctively reached out to push it away, only for her wrist to be caught by Fang Hanxiao, who then flung it aside.

Fang Hanxiao strode forward, skillfully supporting Old Master Fang from the side. He patted his back twice before moving to the front to soothe his chest. Meanwhile, Wang Shi hastily poured a cup of tea and handed it over. Fang Hanxiao took it and fed Old Master Fang a few sips, finally easing his coughing fit.

During this, Ying Yue didn’t dare run again—she realized fleeing wouldn’t absolve her of blame. Just as she let out a shaky breath of relief, Old Master Fang slapped the bed again.

…

She was on the verge of tears. “I-I didn’t mean to—” It really wasn’t her fault!

“Shut up!” Old Master Fang weakly yet furiously cut off her defense before slapping the bed a third time. “The Xu family—that little bastard Xu Huaiying! Not only did he swap my Xiao’er’s bride for a concubine’s daughter, but she’s also a stuttering fool!”

His voice roared with indignation through the room. “I’m not dead yet! Someone, carry me to the Xu family! I’ll ask him myself if he sent this girl to mock my Xiao’er! I’ll beat him to death for the old minister and cleanse the family disgrace!”

The room fell silent, save for Old Master Fang’s ragged breathing.

Fang Hanxiao withdrew his hand from the old man’s chest and walked toward the table.

Old Master Fang grabbed at him. “Xiao’er, stop right there! Listen to me—I won’t let this stand. Marrying such a wife, how will your branch of the family hold its head high? We can’t keep her, truly, we can’t—”

Fang Hui glanced around in confusion—she wanted to speak up for Ying Yue, but ever since meeting her, Ying Yue had struggled with speech. She knew she wasn’t mute, but whether she had a lisp was uncertain.

Wang Shi, for similar reasons, stayed quiet. As an adult, she understood the situation better—Ying Yue likely didn’t usually have this issue, but what if she did? She couldn’t vouch for her.

Old Master Fang needed quiet for his recovery, so Shinan had stayed outside. Left with no choice, Ying Yue gathered her courage, fearing the old man might collapse from rage. Timidly, she said, “Old Master, I-I don’t have a lisp—”

“Shut up, shut up!” Old Master Fang felt as if his entire body were drenched in vinegar—his heart ached for his grandson. Poor boy, marrying a concubine’s daughter was bad enough, but this? A complete disaster!

Imagine the couple—one mute, the other a stuttering fool—becoming the laughingstock of the capital! The thought was like a knife twisting in Old Master Fang’s flesh.

Ying Yue opened her mouth, feeling utterly helpless—she couldn’t even defend herself without making it worse.

Old Master Fang’s bony finger pointed accusingly at her. “Get her out! Send her back to the Xu family, now—”

Fang Hanxiao returned, unfolding a sheet of paper before the old man’s eyes.

—She bit her tongue in the bridal sedan, hence the speech.

Old Master Fang: “Now—why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

Well, Fang Hanxiao hadn’t mentioned that detail.

With the brush he’d brought, Fang Hanxiao casually added: Drank too much. Forgot.

Last night, as the groom, he had been plied with wine by his friends. By the time he arrived at Old Master Fang’s place, it was already late, and the old master was about to retire. Moreover, he had drunk a bit too much, so he omitted some details he deemed unimportant and didn’t mention them to Old Master Fang.  

“Bit her tongue?” Old Master Fang glanced at the paper again and fell into deep thought.  

Under normal circumstances, it was hard to imagine Ying Yue had done so accidentally, and Old Master Fang was no exception. He naturally assumed she had bitten her tongue to demonstrate her chastity and refusal to be a substitute bride. His hand, which had been pointing at Ying Yue, dropped to the bedside. Fang Han Xiao tucked it back under the blanket, but the old master showed no reaction. After a while, he murmured to himself, staring at the canopy, “Rare indeed for Old Minister Shang’s integrity to remain unbroken.”  

Fang Han Xiao knew what misunderstanding had taken root—one he himself had once harbored. He didn’t correct it, allowing Old Master Fang to drift in his thoughts a while longer.  

“Well—let it be then,” Old Master Fang finally snapped out of his reverie, clearing his throat. “This… this will do.”  

He didn’t ask why Ying Yue had first resorted to “resisting unto death” but now came to pay her respects—it was obvious. A young man as outstanding as his grandson would naturally win any maiden’s heart. Her earlier defiance must have been driven by righteous indignation, but once she calmed down and saw his grandson again, she naturally abandoned such thoughts and resolved to live well with him.  

“Come here, let me see you.”  

Despite his earlier outburst, Old Master Fang hadn’t actually gotten a clear look at Ying Yue’s face. His illness had weakened his eyesight, and she had remained near the screen, too far for him to discern her features.  

Ying Yue, having just provoked his fury, dared not approach. She stood rooted like a wooden stake, unmoved even when Fang Hui tried to pull her forward. Shaking her head helplessly, the two of them struggled until Fang Han Xiao’s patience ran out. He strode over, seized Ying Yue by the shoulder, and dragged her to the bedside.  

Unable to resist his strength, Ying Yue stiffly stood before the bed, afraid any movement might trigger Old Master Fang’s temper again.  

This time, the old master was relatively calm. He strained to lift his heavy eyelids and studied her face.  

In terms of looks, Ying Yue couldn’t compare to Wangyue’s striking beauty, but she had her own charm—soft features with a hint of scholarly grace, delicate and refined. Even if one didn’t particularly like her, she wasn’t the type to provoke dislike.  

At a glance, this was Old Master Fang’s impression. He didn’t feel any particular fondness—how could he, when he still resented the substitution on his grandson’s behalf? But neither did he dislike her. The best description was: passable.  

He sighed inwardly. *Ah, it’s all my fault. Such an outstanding grandson, yet this is the match he ends up with.* This young concubine-born girl’s looks were tolerable, but her frail frame seemed ill-suited for childbearing—a thought he, as a grandfather, couldn’t voice aloud, leaving him to silently nitpick.  

Seeing no further trouble, Fang Hui stepped forward eagerly. “Grandfather, don’t worry. I remembered what you told me. I’ve already discussed it with Sister-in-law—from now on, I’ll live with her. I’ll listen to her, and she’ll take care of me.”  

Touched by his granddaughter’s thoughtfulness, Old Master Fang nodded approvingly. “Good girl—”  

Midway, he paused, sensing something amiss. “What do you mean, live together?”

Fang Hui said, “I’ll be with sister-in-law. I’ll have my things moved as soon as I get back. We’ll share a courtyard so sister-in-law can take care of me.”

As she spoke, she glanced up at Fang Hanxiao, feeling quite pleased with herself for successfully sidelining him.

Fang Hanxiao’s expression remained unchanged, but Old Master Fang was the first to feel uneasy. He said with difficulty, “Niu Niu, you have your own perfectly good courtyard. Why move into the newlyweds’ place? That’s no place for you. Be good.”

What would it look like to have an energetic little granddaughter sandwiched between a newlywed couple? And when would he ever get to hold his great-grandson?

True, he had thought earlier that he could die content just having his grandson back. But now that the boy was married—and to this substitute bride he couldn’t refuse, having grudgingly accepted her—wouldn’t it be a shame not to see a great-grandson before he passed?

Author’s Note:

Thank you to reader 1111 for your detailed comment. I remember you previously raised questions about Madam Xu, so let me explain her character.

First, your observation that she didn’t particularly torment the female lead is correct. Her character is based on a stepmother who naturally dislikes a concubine’s daughter, but she’s not psychologically disturbed. Villainy should have logic—for instance, she schemes against the male lead to secure a better marriage for her daughter, which benefits her. But she wouldn’t go to such lengths against the female lead because it’s unnecessary. Her approach is neglect and indifference, occasionally punishing the female lead to vent her frustrations. Most of the time, she’s normal, raising the concubine’s daughter half-heartedly in case she becomes useful (like the substitute marriage at the story’s beginning). She doesn’t constantly abuse the female lead—that wouldn’t make logical sense.

Your impression that the female lead’s life seems tolerable isn’t wrong either, but this is due to her family’s status. As the granddaughter of a minister, even at her worst, she has a basic standard of living. The privileges you mentioned—her ability to study, save allowance to buy books, and have maids—all stem from this.

But does that mean she had it good? Not at all. Just as a farm girl might be considered fortunate if she only has to cook during harvest season instead of working in the fields, the female lead’s two maids pitied her because, compared to her sisters in similar circumstances, her treatment was poor. The maids wouldn’t compare her to a farm girl.

(Your example of Yingchun is apt. Among the sisters, Yingchun had the hardest life—servants disregarded her, her wet nurse gambled away her golden phoenix hairpin (though she also had maids like Siqi and Xiuju who helped her), and her maids were humiliated when running errands. The oppression manifested in these ways, but did anyone ever physically strike Yingchun or frame her? No, not even standing punishments. Even her harsh stepmother, Lady Xing, merely scolded her for being less capable than Tanchun.)

As for how the female lead suffered in the Xu family, I hinted at it indirectly—for instance, returning from being punished by standing, her breakfast was just a bowl of plain rice porridge with no side dishes. You could imagine the kitchen withholding food or that this was simply the treatment Madam Xu gave her. I didn’t spell it out explicitly, but the implication is there.

I didn’t dedicate specific chapters to these events because if I did, I’d simultaneously have to write about how the female lead fights back or finds alternative solutions. I can’t just write about the suffering without showing her response—putting myself in the readers’ shoes, I wouldn’t enjoy seeing the protagonist constantly endure hardships without any payoff; it would feel too frustrating. And if I included both, the story would drag on too long, delaying the male lead’s appearance even further—I want him to show up earlier in this book, yes, based on this universally welcomed factor.

As for the female lead’s growth journey, as you mentioned at the beginning, it will be gradually revealed through interspersed flashbacks. For instance, in the near or distant future when the romance between the leads begins, they’ll naturally become curious about each other’s pasts and have those heart-to-heart conversations~

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Here’s a bonus mini-scene from after the romance starts:

Fang Da: “Everyone in your family is so annoying—how come you’re the only adorable one? How did you turn out like this, huh?”

Ying Yue (cluelessly): “Uh… just grew up randomly?”

Fang Da falls into deep thought: If she’s this perfect by accident, what if she’d actually tried…