Volume One, Chapter 12: Your Sister-in-Law Won't Allow It

“This has nothing to do with Ruolan. Lord Yan, please do not bring up the past again!”

Who was Ruolan?

Why did Lord Yan think that Yan Nanfei’s intention to marry her had anything to do with this Ruolan?

Shen Xingdu withdrew his attention from the carved railings and the teacup on the table and turned to look at Yan Nanfei.

Though his expression was calm, there was a frostiness between his brows.

The vein near his temple, close to his hairline, throbbed relentlessly.

Yan Nanfei’s heart was far from as peaceful as his face suggested.

Was there such a woman named Ruolan among the noble families of the capital?

After searching his mind for a long while with no result, Shen Xingdu felt he shouldn’t care so much, yet couldn’t control his thoughts.

Lord Shen gazed seriously at his son before speaking after a long pause:

“That’s good to hear.

Though I look down on the Shen family, Miss Shen is innocent.

Our Yan family has no tradition of taking concubines.

Your mother and I grew up as childhood sweethearts, betrothed through formal matchmakers, and then we had six children…”

Lord Yan was about to continue, but Yan Nanfei interrupted with a cold sneer.

“Hah~ Such traditions, I think Father need not abide by them.

What’s wrong with taking a concubine?

Even if you divorce your wife to remarry, it won’t tarnish your reputation, Lord Yan.

Why waste your youth on virtuous rumors that only bind you?”

Shen Xingdu frowned deeply, shocked as he looked at Yan Nanfei.

The noble image of General Yan in his heart shattered into pieces.

The Shen household had not been without concubines, but Mother Jiang was domineering and jealous.

The concubines brought home never lasted.

Within two years, they either eloped or drowned themselves.

This caused endless quarrels between the couple.

Only in recent years, with Lord Shen growing older, had things finally quieted down.

He devoted all his remaining energy to navigating officialdom, with no other thoughts.

Shen Xingdu was not without education in these matters.

Aside from the Yan family, most noble clans in the Great Zhao followed the principle of expanding the family lineage.

After marriage, once the eldest son was born, within a year or two the primary wife would help her husband arrange for several concubines, which was considered both virtuous and praiseworthy.

Yet Shen Xingdu could not accept this in her heart.

When she liked Lu Shao, her affection was passionate.

She simply could not understand how any woman could willingly share her husband.

She had discussed this with Lu Shao before.

He had smiled, rubbed her nose, and promised a lifetime together, never taking a concubine.

Now, those words still ringing in her ears, she herself had nearly become a concubine.

She had thought General Yan was ambitious, indifferent to household matters.

Who would have expected him to speak such rebellious words to his own father?

Where in this world had a son ever persuaded his father to divorce and take a concubine?

Shen Xingdu was utterly bewildered.

Yet Lord Yan was not as enraged as expected; instead, as if accustomed to Yan Nanfei’s sarcastic tone, he appraised him from head to toe, then turned to leave.

Before going, he tossed over a remark:

“It's so late. After dinner, rest here in the mansion.

Later, pay respects to your grandmother!

Ungrateful child, still needing your elders to worry about you!”

With that, he swept his sleeves and left.

Since it was quite late, when Yan Nanfei was pulled by the old lady’s hand and bombarded with endless questions—about whether the winter clothes were sufficient, if anyone had been hired to tend the garden for the new bride—nothing trivial was left unasked.

One could imagine the old lady had been a capable housekeeper in her youth.

The so-called paying respects quickly turned into a family dinner.

The table was set in the front hall of the old lady’s courtyard.

Lord Yan, still smarting from his son’s words, sent a servant with a message that he was busy in the study and would not attend dinner.

The first to arrive was a middle-aged woman whose every glance brimmed with charm and lingering grace.

Slim-waisted and elegant, she had yet to enter when her laughter preceded her.

“Grandmother, you are so well today, preparing such a grand feast to entertain the third son. We, the household’s freeloaders, are just here to enjoy the spoils of your generosity!”

The old lady smiled and feigned a scolding tone:

“You’re the most gluttonous! No one else has come, yet you, Zhao Zhao, and Nan Xun arrived first!

Hurry and take your seats!

These are all your favorite dishes, don’t say you’re just benefiting from the third son!

Whenever I have good food, there’s always a portion for you!”

The woman took the old lady’s hand affectionately and sat down.

Shen Xingdu thought to herself: Is this Yan Nanfei’s mother?

Aside from some resemblance in their eyes, their temperaments could not be more different.

“Fei’er, you’ve been gone so long.

Da Yu crossed his own doorstep thrice without entering, but you—have you been governing the Milky Way instead?” the woman joked with a bright smile, gently reprimanding Yan Nanfei for not returning home.

There was both concern and a gentle elder’s reproach, yet it was not unpleasant.

A true master of managing the inner household!

Shen Xingdu studied her carefully and sighed that the Yan family indeed had fine traditions, with sincere warmth among relatives.

How could such a cheerful, talkative mother give birth to such an icy son?

“Brother Fei! You’re finally back! How long has it been since you last saw me? See if I’ve grown taller!”

A fair-skinned girl with big eyes brightened at Yan Nanfei’s return and smiled as she approached.

She twirled in front of him, her pink ruffled skirt spreading out like a blooming evening primrose.

“You’re still a little runt,” Yan Nanfei teased.

The girl was instantly infuriated and pounded him playfully.

“You’re so annoying! You come back just to tease me!

I’m not talking to you anymore!”

She then turned her gaze to Shen Xingdu, cocked her head, and after staring for a long while suddenly asked Yan Nanfei, “Brother Fei, is this fox the same as before?”

Was she recognized?

Shen Xingdu’s fur bristled in alarm.

The girl blinked at Shen Xingdu with curiosity:

“Why does she look better than the last one?

The last always seemed a bit dull-eyed.

She only stared at you and ignored others.

But this one seems charming and shy, like a female...

And look at her expression!

She watches whoever’s speaking as if she understands!

Give her to me for a hug!”

With that, she reached out, grabbed Shen Xingdu from Yan Nanfei’s lap, tickled her ribs, and lifted her up.

Then she buried her face in Shen Xingdu’s arms, rubbing back and forth.

Shen Xingdu was tickled and squinted her fox-like eyes.

“So soft! Third Brother, why not let this fox conjure me a third sister-in-law?”

“Hahaha!” A boy nearby laughed heartily and took Shen Xingdu from the girl’s hands, lifting her high.

“Zhao Zhao, you don’t understand!

Third Brother’s fox is a rare supreme mystic fox!

If you ask a mystic fox to conjure a sister-in-law, do you want our Great Zhao’s General Yan to marry a plain old hag?”

He then imitated Zhao Zhao, burrowing his face into Shen Xingdu’s arms, planning a deep fox cuddle.

Shen Xingdu hastily used her small paws to hold back the boy’s advancing face.

“General Yan, save me!”

Yan Nanfei was quicker, stepping in before the boy’s face reached Shen Xingdu’s embrace, snatching her back.

The boy fell short, then grumbled in frustration.

“Third Brother, you’re too stingy!

Why can’t I play a little?

We always used to be able to!”

“Not anymore. Your sister-in-law says no!”