Chapter 3: The Men Outside Keep Thinking About You

Xijin heard these words and glanced over.  

His face remained expressionless, yet in broad daylight, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine—an eerie, creeping cold.  

She hurriedly said, “Of course not! What kind of joke is that? How could you make such a reckless joke?”  

A Chou’s expression was inscrutable. “Then save your charm for someone else. If even the maids can have divided loyalties, how could I?”  

Xijin had no retort and could only murmur, “Fine, alright…”  

At that, the couple fell silent. Walking beside A Chou, Xijin was filled with nothing but bitterness.  

Her life was so unfair!  

She had only spoken a few sweet words to him—just trying to cheer him up during the festival. Yet not only did he refuse to appreciate it, he even scolded her!  

Was this how a man in a **Male Matrilineal Marriage** behaved?  

Even if he weren’t a **Male Matrilineal Marriage**, just an ordinary husband, shouldn’t he at least smile when his wife sweet-talked him?  

Xijin sighed softly, her mind drifting back to three years ago.  

Back then, she and **Huo Erlang** had been deeply in love.  

The Huo family were scholars—Huo Erlang’s grandfather had passed the **Prefectural Examination** and was an **Imperial Academy Candidate**. Their lineage was one of refined intellect, though their fortunes had since declined.  

Their marriage had already been arranged, and they were on the verge of wedding when, out of nowhere, Huo Erlang’s mother vehemently opposed it. She accused Xijin of bewitching her son, stirring up such a scandal that it became the talk of the town.  

In the end, the engagement was called off. Her mother hastily arranged for a **Male Matrilineal Marriage**, bringing A Chou into the family.  

A Chou wasn’t a bad man—he was handsome, one of the most striking in **Ru City**. But that was all he had going for him. In every other aspect, he couldn’t compare to Huo Erlang. No matter how you looked at it, he fell short in every way.  

In terms of family background, the Huo family was a house of scholars, while A Chou’s father was just a fisherman.  

In temperament, Huo Erlang had been gentle and considerate, while A Chou was stubborn and unyielding—impossible to win over, impossible to tame.  

As for ability—never mind Huo Erlang’s merits—A Chou was simply hopeless.  

Shortly after their marriage, the price of silk gauze in **Yanjing City** soared, and merchants from Ru City flocked to the capital with their goods. But A Chou? He claimed he was unwell and couldn’t endure the journey.  

Two years ago, when the **Superintendent of Ships** visited Ru City, everyone rushed to curry favor. She urged him to go with their relatives, at least to make an impression, but he found an excuse to skip it, completely missing the opportunity!  

Last year, thinking he might have some talent for study, she suggested he take the exams—pass the **Prefectural Examination**, become an **Imperial Academy Candidate**, and at least secure some tax exemptions. But he flatly refused, saying he wasn’t cut out for it!  

At this point, one phrase had been burning in Xijin’s heart:  

*You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!*  

The only thing he had going for him was his looks.  

She did like his appearance, but what use was a man’s beauty? In a few years, when she could no longer control him, he might very well start dallying with other women!  

On this festive New Year’s day, Xijin’s heart was heavy with bitterness.  

**********  

As they walked further down the corridor, they encountered relatives from various households emerging one after another. Greetings and New Year’s wishes were exchanged, and soon small groups formed, chatting and laughing as they strolled along.  

Xijin and her family of three soon ran into **Second Aunt**. She quickly shot A Chou a meaningful glance.

A Chou repeated everything Xijin had taught him without a trace of expression, word for word, even mimicking the tone perfectly.

Second Aunt couldn’t stop grinning: “Speaking of which, A Chou is truly the clever one. I heard you can memorize a book after just one reading! Hearing you say this puts my mind at ease—who knows, maybe our Si Lang will pass the imperial exams!”

Si Lang happened to be nearby and, upon hearing this, muttered dejectedly: “How come every time someone says something, I suddenly pass the exams?”

Si Lang was twenty this year, a year older than Xijin and the same age as A Chou.

He had always disliked A Chou, and there was a reason for it.

Back when A Chou first came to the Ning family’s shop as a clerk, he was exceptionally good-looking and rumored to have studied before. Xijin’s father took a special liking to him and proposed to the clan that A Chou be allowed to join the family school to continue his studies.

To everyone’s surprise, A Chou turned out to be remarkably intelligent. Even the tutor admitted he couldn’t teach A Chou anything—A Chou ought to go to Yanjing City and study under a great scholar to secure a future.

At the time, Xijin’s father considered funding A Chou’s education and sending him to the capital.

Xijin roughly understood her father’s intentions. With no sons of his own, he saw potential in A Chou and wanted to support him, hoping that if anything ever happened to him, this kindness might serve as a safeguard.

Xijin had no objections. A Chou had come to their shop as a clerk at ten years old, and she too wished for him to have a bright future.

But A Chou refused. He didn’t want to go to Yanjing City—he preferred to stay in Ru City.

Seeing this, Xijin’s father had no choice but to let A Chou continue studying in the family school, mentoring him carefully. By the time Xijin turned sixteen and A Chou seventeen, her father arranged for A Chou to become her Male Matrilineal Marriage.

Si Lang, on the other hand, had always excelled in his studies, and the family had high hopes for him. But encountering A Chou in the family school left him resentful, and he couldn’t stand the sight of him.

He believed he was the better scholar and that A Chou had merely taken shortcuts.

From what Xijin knew, as A Chou grew older, he became far less outstanding—whether he had lost his brilliance or was deliberately hiding his talents, she couldn’t say.

With A Chou no longer shining, Si Lang flourished, becoming the praised genius everyone admired.

Second Aunt chuckled: “Isn’t it because A Chou is clever? He’s good at studying!”

Si Lang shot A Chou a glance: “How can it be the same? Proper studying and casual reading are worlds apart!”

Hearing this, A Chou replied: “Si Lang studies properly and will surely pass the imperial exams one day. I only know a few characters—I can’t compare.”

Xijin observed quietly.

She knew A Chou’s temperament well—stubborn and not one to yield easily. His words were nothing more than perfunctory politeness.

He was quite the actor, putting on such a convincing show.

Just as she was thinking this, A Chou’s gaze suddenly shifted toward her.

Their eyes met, and she froze for a moment, raising a questioning brow.

A Chou calmly looked away.

A mix of emotions churned in Xijin’s heart.

What did that mean? Did he think she hadn’t stood up for him?

But hadn’t he just told her not to bother with her usual tactics of winning people over?

Hmph, hmph, hmph!

The Ning family members arrived one after another. As a prominent clan with many branches, some relatives were even unfamiliar to Xijin, especially the newly married women who had only been seen once or twice. Dressed in their skirts and jackets, looking fresh and charming, they were hard to distinguish. Xijin could only address them vaguely and brush past.

After gathering in the hall, the men and women separated—the men worshipped inside while the women burned incense outside.  

Since Xijin had taken in a male matrilineal marriage, the rules dictated that her husband couldn’t go alone; she had to accompany him, with her leading and A Chou following.  

This drew some attention, but it wasn’t too unusual. In Great Zhao, male matrilineal marriages were common, and large families often had a few such arrangements.  

During the worship, Si Lang happened to finish his bows ahead of them with Second Uncle. As he walked back, he crossed paths with Xijin and A Chou.  

Si Lang smiled at A Chou. “Bow properly and pray for the ancestors’ blessings. Mang Er will surely excel in his studies—proper, legitimate studies—and earn himself a respectable future.”  

Xijin immediately caught the sarcasm—implying that A Chou, as a male matrilineal husband, hadn’t had the chance for “proper” education.  

She didn’t particularly care if A Chou suffered some grievances—he was a grown man and didn’t need her to fight his battles.  

But to mock him in front of her? That was an insult to her face.  

Why should she tolerate it?  

She smiled sweetly. “Fourth Brother, our Ning family has been in trade for generations. If Mang Er can just inherit the family shops without squandering them, I’d be secretly overjoyed. How could I dare hope for scholarly achievements? If he learns a few words and some basic decency, enough not to grow crooked—unlike some young men who frolic in brothels—then even if they’ve read piles of books, the ancestors would still be ashamed during these rites. And if they catch some filthy disease? Tsk, tsk, tsk—where would that leave the Ning family’s reputation?”  

Si Lang’s face instantly darkened.  

Before he could retort, Xijin had already brushed past him.  

He wanted to say something, but with so many relatives around, it was too late. The frustration lodged in his chest, leaving him fuming.  

Xijin led A Chou forward to offer their respects, each holding three incense sticks. They first bowed to the Kitchen God, then to the tablets of Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher, and finally to the ancestral hall.  

After the rites, they stepped out, and familiar clansmen pulled A Chou toward the men’s table. Seeing this, Xijin said, “Go on. Give Mang Er to me.”  

A Chou nodded, handing the child over and murmuring, “He’s due for a change.”  

At just two years old, the boy still needed constant attention—wetting his cotton pants in winter would be troublesome.  

Xijin: “I know!”  

Suier had already approached, standing by with the baby’s necessities. Xijin carried Mang Er aside to change him.  

She wasn’t used to such tasks and fumbled a bit before finally managing. Once done, she cradled the child and headed toward the inner hall—only to spot her cousin Xi Yu.  

Xi Yu, a few months younger, was now nineteen and betrothed. However, the groom’s family was observing mourning, delaying the wedding.  

By tradition, children under sixteen weren’t allowed to wear silk, but after that age, young ladies were to dress in fine silk and red skirts for ancestral worship.

Xi Yu was dressed in a purplish-red satin-trimmed narrow-sleeved jacket, looking fresh and radiant. She slightly lowered her head, lifted her skirt, and hurried over from the hall.

She had clearly just finished paying her respects.

Unmarried young ladies rarely attended such occasions and inevitably felt shy, usually coming and going in haste.

Xijin gave her cousin a slight nod and was about to carry Mang Er into the inner room when Xi Yu spotted her, her eyes lighting up as she hurried forward to call out, “Sixth Sister!”

Xijin was ranked sixth in the clan, so those younger addressed her as Sixth Sister.

Xijin smiled and said, “Xi Yu, you look lovely today.”

Xi Yu approached Xijin warmly, even reaching out to hold Mang Er. “Mang Er is such a fine child. Just one look and you can tell he’s blessed. Seventh Aunt took to him right away.”

Xijin was puzzled.

Xi Yu had never been fond of children before—wouldn’t even touch them. That was normal; young, unmarried girls often found the affairs of married women and children distant and unrelatable.

But today, it was as if she’d seen her own son in Mang Er!

Naturally, Xijin didn’t want to indulge her and tightened her hold on her son. “Mang Er is shy around strangers. Besides, children are messy with their needs—you wouldn’t know how to handle it.”

Yet Xi Yu stubbornly clung to Mang Er, refusing to let go. “I just adore Mang Er at first sight. Mang Er—”

As she spoke, Mang Er blinked and suddenly let out a loud wail.

Xijin immediately took him back, soothing him quickly. Xi Yu, standing by, looked somewhat helpless and tried to help, grabbing an orange from the nearby table and peeling it. “Auntie will feed you an orange.”

Xijin’s expression darkened. “It’s freezing—you can’t give a child that.”

Oranges, oranges, always oranges!

Xi Yu realized her mistake.

Xijin said, “Don’t worry about it. Go inside before you catch a chill.”

With that, she carried Mang Er toward the inner room, but Xi Yu chased after her.

“I have something important to tell you, dear sister,” Xi Yu said.

Xijin had already sat down and responded indifferently, “What is it?”

Xi Yu said, “A few days ago, I went with Mother to visit relatives at Uncle’s house. Guess who I ran into?”

Xijin replied, “Hmm.”

She wouldn’t press for details—whoever it was didn’t matter.

Seeing Xijin’s lack of interest, Xi Yu continued on her own, “I met Huo Erlang.”

At this, Xijin’s heart stirred.

Since she had taken A Chou in a male matrilineal marriage and given birth to Mang Er, her old feelings had faded.

But today, already frustrated with A Chou, hearing news of Huo Erlang inevitably brought some nostalgia.

Xi Yu smiled. “Huo Erlang still hasn’t gotten engaged!”

Xijin said, “Oh?”

Xi Yu continued, “I didn’t ask for details, but I heard that after your marriage fell through, he shut himself away. They say he’s been living in seclusion at Ordination Platform Temple, studying diligently. He’s determined to pass the imperial exams.”

Xijin replied, “Hmm.”

Xi Yu added, “Sister, if Huo Erlang passes the exams and becomes a high official, his wife will surely share in his glory—phoenix coronet and robes of embroidered clouds!”

Xijin said, “Hmm.”

Xi Yu sighed. “Sister, if he really succeeds, I’d feel so sorry for you. Huo Erlang still thinks of you—he’s said he’d marry no one else. Even now, matchmakers occasionally propose matches, but he refuses every time. I suspect—”

She lowered her voice, “Maybe she still has some thoughts?”

Xijin gave her sister a deep look, remained silent for a moment, then picked up Mang Er and went to chat with other elders.

What’s wrong with Xi Yu’s head? Coming to talk about such things during the New Year—she must be sick!

Better stay away, lest it infect her precious son.

**********

Seeing Xijin’s expression, Xi Yu realized she had been too hasty.

She was someone who had lived a second life.

The greatest advantage of rebirth was knowing the future.

She knew her cousin had immense fortune—she had taken in a Male Matrilineal Marriage who seemed unremarkable at first glance, but who would have guessed this man was actually the Imperial Grandson, the Emperor’s long-lost descendant?

It was said that years ago, the Crown Prince had been wrongfully accused and executed. The eight-year-old Imperial Grandson had narrowly escaped and vanished into the commonfolk.

Later, the Emperor’s other sons died one after another, leaving few capable heirs. As the Emperor grew old, he began to doubt the conspiracy case against his eldest son and ordered an investigation, only to discover the Crown Prince had been innocent.

In his old age, the Emperor yearned for his descendants and, filled with regret, insisted on bringing the Imperial Grandson back to inherit the Imperial Throne.

Thus, A Chou, the Male Matrilineal Marriage, was welcomed into the palace, reclaimed his lineage, and eventually ascended the throne.

Her cousin and A Chou had been childhood sweethearts and even had a son together. Naturally, Xijin entered the palace as well, becoming the Empress who ruled over the realm.

For the Ning family, this was an unparalleled honor. From then on, whenever the Nings were mentioned, people would speak of the Emperor, then of the noble lady in the palace—how Xijin was the most outstanding daughter of the Ning family, praised endlessly for her talent and beauty.

Even her own in-laws would mention her as “so-and-so’s sister.”

Yet Xi Yu seethed with resentment.

She was her own person—why should it seem like she owed everything to Xijin’s good fortune?

Xijin wasn’t even particularly scholarly, just pretty. Why should she be elevated so highly just because she became Empress?

Though Xi Yu had benefited somewhat, she still couldn’t accept it.

What galled her most was that Xijin hadn’t even valued A Chou—whereas she herself had once fancied him, only held back by his lowly status.

She had been the one with the discerning eye. Yet in the end, it was her cousin Xijin who reaped the rewards!

Xi Yu decided that in this second life, she must claim those benefits for herself.

First, she would pair Xijin with the Huo family’s second son, cementing their relationship. Heartbroken, A Chou would be vulnerable—and she would seize the opportunity. She didn’t even need a formal title; a single night of passion would suffice.

Once A Chou ascended the throne, with the right maneuvering, she could become Empress. At the very least, she’d secure the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

But judging by Xijin’s reaction, she knew her plan, though sound, would be difficult to execute.

Still, she refused to be discouraged.

Trees fear shaking, women fear seduction—there was no wall in this world that couldn’t be toppled!