Three Joys

Chapter 61

I went to a restaurant with my Eldest Brother and took a private table on the second floor. Yinping and the servants from the Xu household waited outside.

The server brought drinks, and I poured two cups of wine. Eldest Brother was dressed in plain attire with a cap, looking much like he did when we were back home. The last time I saw my relatives from the Shen family in my hometown was at my fifth sister's funeral.
I had stayed in the capital until my marriage, so I hadn't seen any of my family members from back home in all these years.

Eldest Brother sat across from me, studying me with his eyes for a long while, as if unable to believe what he was seeing. He finally uttered "Is it truly you, Fourth Brother?"

My appearance now was quite different from the young boy in our rural family estate all those years ago. Nonetheless, my Eldest Brother somehow managed to recognize me. He had seen more of the world than I had. After some thought, he understood the situation.

I just hadn't expected that my Shen family in the capital had kept me being married off as a 'kao' to the Xu household a secret.

"Are you saying you married the three son of the Xu family on behalf of Fifth Sister?" My Eldest Brother heard this and fell into silence for a moment. He then sighed, "It's truly unexpected. After all these twists and turns, Fifth Sister passed away early, and you ended up in such a position."

Hearing this, I lowered my gaze without responding.

"Don't blame them, don't blame them. Father was promoted two years ago after returning to Bianzhou." He shook his head and continued, "Unfortunately, he still couldn't return to the capital. Your Second Brother has been struggling to pass the exams for the past two years, and now, everyone is concerned about it."

Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but ask, "The Shen family in the capital... they didn't inform you about my whereabouts at all?"

My Eldest Brother explained "During that time, we searched for you, but eventually, the Shen family's steward arrived, claiming that you had offended a noblewoman." He paused abruptly, and I could tell that they suspected something was amiss. It appeared they had likely assumed that, as a member of a secondary branch, my life could be easily disregarded.

Eldest Brother appeared to have a solid grasp of the situation but sighed deeply, saying, "They merely returned a garment stained with your blood. Father attempted to investigate your burial site, but no one disclosed it. And as for the Shen family's steward... well, you understand how things operate."

The main branch actions were likely a result of their disdain for branches of the concubines family and the fear of complications arising from my presence. They chose to deceive others by claiming I had been executed due to some crime. But we both knew that my position was different, and I couldn't stay outside for too long. My Eldest Brother didn't press further, understanding this.

Before we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help but ask "I wonder how Third Aunt is doing these days?"

To my surprise, Eldest Brother hesitated for a moment before offering a response.

Following that, we made our way back to the Xu residence.

I had Yinping deliver the medicinal herbs to the Third residence. As she headed out, she suddenly turned and called out, "Young Master, Young Master!" She repeated it several times, but I was lost in thought.

Yinping then asked "Young Master, I've noticed you seem unwell. Should we consider calling for a physician?"

My ears were buzzing, and I struggled to hear anything. After a lengthy pause, I pinched my cold hand and, in a daze, shook my head, murmuring, "No... just go."