Chapter 1: Elder Brother Takes a Concubine

When Jiang Chuyue returned to the General’s Manor, she saw a pink sedan chair being carried in through the side gate.

She asked the manor’s steward, “Who is in the sedan?”

The steward respectfully replied, “Second Young Lady, it is the General’s newly accepted Ninth Concubine. She is exceptionally skilled at playing the pipa, and the General fell for her at first sight.”

Jiang Chuyue felt her heart sink to the bottom.

The ninth one.

This was the ninth concubine her elder brother had taken.

Her personal maid, Baozhu, curled her lips and muttered while supporting Jiang Chuyue’s arm, “Is playing the pipa really so impressive? In the whole capital, the young lady most skilled at it is none other than my mistress.”

Jiang Chuyue lightly chided her, “Don’t speak nonsense.”

Baozhu fell silent, looking sullen.

Another concubine had entered the manor, as if they came in an endless stream. Jiang Chuyue lowered her gaze to hide the bitterness in her eyes. Entering through the main gate of the General’s Manor, she went to Shou’an Hall to pay her respects to the Old Madam Xiao.

The hall was filled with curling sandalwood incense.

Old Madam Xiao was leafing through a thick stack of portraits. When she saw Jiang Chuyue, she joyfully beckoned, “My dear granddaughter, you’re finally back. Was your prayer trip to Shijing Temple smooth?”

Jiang Chuyue knelt and saluted. “Everything went well. I asked for two peace talismans—one for you, Grandmother, and one for my elder brother. Baozhu, present the talisman to Grandmother.”

Baozhu respectfully handed over the talisman.

Old Madam Xiao put it away and then pointed to the stack of portraits on the table, speaking kindly, “You’ve already passed your coming-of-age ceremony. It’s time to choose a good husband. These are portraits of eligible young noblemen in the capital—each outstanding. Take a look; is there anyone you like?”

Jiang Chuyue did not want to marry.

No matter how handsome or accomplished the young men in the capital were, none could compare to even a single finger of her elder brother, Xiao Ji.

This feeling, one she could never voice, was buried deep in her heart, sealed away without a crack. Leaning against Old Madam Xiao’s embrace, she acted coquettish. “Grandmother, I want to stay with you for a few more years.”

Old Madam Xiao patted her back with a smile. “What girl doesn’t marry? I can protect you for a while, but not for a lifetime. I only hope you can find a good match soon.”

Not wishing to disappoint her grandmother, Jiang Chuyue reluctantly took the stack of portraits. “Then… I’ll take them back and look through them first.”

Only then did Old Madam Xiao show satisfaction.

Jiang Chuyue bid her farewell. On the way back, she passed by Xiao Ji’s courtyard and paused. She wanted to give him the talisman she had gotten at the temple.

She had knelt for three days at Shijing Temple, praying earnestly to the gods for Xiao Ji’s safety and well-being.

All her feelings were tied to that small talisman.

But the servant at the courtyard gate stopped her, looking awkward. “Second Young Lady, perhaps you should come see the General tomorrow. He… he’s not convenient right now.”

Jiang Chuyue frowned. “It’s not even late—what’s inconvenient?”

Before the servant could answer, a woman’s tender, teasing voice suddenly drifted from inside the courtyard, followed by the muffled, breathless sounds of a man’s passion.

The people inside were making love.

Jiang Chuyue froze, and the talisman slipped from her hand to the ground.

The servant scratched his head in embarrassment, speaking in a low voice, “Second Young Lady, the newly accepted Ninth Concubine is serving the General… Perhaps you should go back for now.”

Her smile stiffened, and a fine pain pricked at her heart. She bent to pick up the talisman, retreating a few steps in awkwardness and humiliation.

She wandered back to her boudoir in a daze.

When the moon had risen above the willow branches, Jiang Chuyue was still tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep.

She told herself countless times that however many concubines Xiao Ji took, or whichever beauty’s bed he chose for the night, it had nothing to do with her.

She was merely the General’s Manor’s “Second Young Lady” in name.

But she did not sleep a wink that night.

The next day, while Jiang Chuyue was absentmindedly admiring spring blossoms in the garden, a sharp voice came from behind. “Oh? And who might this sister be?”

The Ninth Concubine, dressed to dazzle, swayed over gracefully with a gold-thread fan in hand. She scrutinized Jiang Chuyue’s face, undisguised hostility in her eyes.

She deliberately lowered her neckline to reveal the fresh love bites on her neck, flaunting her favor.

With her phoenix eyes slightly raised in feigned curiosity, she asked, “I’m the newly arrived Ninth Concubine. How should I address Sister?”

Jiang Chuyue did not reply.

She had seen this scene too many times.

Every time a new concubine entered the manor, upon first meeting her, they would all see her as a rival in love.

Baozhu, displeased, spoke up, “This is the Second Young Lady of the General’s Manor. Ninth Concubine, do not be rude.”

Upon learning her identity, the Ninth Concubine’s expression instantly changed. She bowed with humble politeness. “So it is Second Young Lady. I am new here and meant no offense—please don’t take it to heart.”

Jiang Chuyue was not angry and simply asked, “I hear you’re skilled at the pipa?”

At the mention of the instrument, the Ninth Concubine could not hide her pride. “I’ve played since childhood, my skill refined and intricate. The General favors me for it, which is why I was allowed into the manor to serve.”

Jiang Chuyue’s gaze fell on the woman’s neck, mottled with deep red marks.

They were dark and vivid—clear evidence of the frenzy from the night before.

Jiang Chuyue smiled faintly. “I’m tired. I’ll go rest. Ninth Concubine, please do as you wish.”

Turning, she left.

The Ninth Concubine exhaled in relief, watching the graceful figure disappear. She muttered, “What a rare beauty. Good thing she’s the General’s sister—if someone like that were competition in the manor, I’d have no place to stand.”

Just then, a maid came hurrying over. “Ninth Concubine, the General is calling for you to serve him!”

The Ninth Concubine beamed. “I’m coming, I’m coming. Oh, by the way, what’s the General’s sister’s name?”

“She’s Jiang by surname, given name Chuyue,” the maid replied.

The Ninth Concubine paused, curious. “Jiang? Shouldn’t it be Xiao?”

The maid explained, “Many years ago, the Second Young Lady’s parents died in battle, leaving her an orphan. The Old Madam took pity on her, adopted her as a granddaughter, and brought her to the manor. Ninth Concubine, whatever you do, don’t offend her—the General cherishes his little sister the most.”

The Ninth Concubine smiled and twirled her fan. “I’m not stupid—offend her? I’ll be lucky if I can butter her up.”

…

Back in her room, Jiang Chuyue picked up her pipa and began to play. The sound, like celestial music, flowed from her fingers. But the image of the vivid marks on the Ninth Concubine’s neck rose unbidden in her mind.

She could no longer continue.

She decided she never wanted to play the pipa again.

Placing the instrument back on the table, she wondered if it was time to give up the stubborn feelings she kept hidden deep inside.

She took out the stack of portraits given by Old Madam Xiao and looked through them one by one.

Her grandmother had treated her as her own granddaughter, choosing only the finest, most well-born men for her. Yet as she looked at each face, her heart remained utterly calm.

For ten years, Jiang Chuyue had secretly loved Xiao Ji.

But as his “younger sister” in name, she could only watch as he took concubine after concubine.