Yin Shi’s marriage was the envy of everyone—her mother-in-law was her biological aunt; her husband was a newly appointed Flower Scholar; her maiden family was wealthy, and her husband’s family was of noble standing.
The only fly in the ointment was that the Flower Scholar also had a concubine who was his confidante.
Little did anyone know, when they were preparing for their engagement, the Flower Scholar Shen Ti had calmly said to her, “Cousin, I already have a beloved. As for our marriage, I will speak to my mother myself so as not to delay you.”
Yin Shi was overjoyed. Showing a hundred percent sincerity, she earnestly persuaded him, “Cousin, if you marry someone else, aren’t you afraid the primary wife will mistreat your confidante? If you marry me, we won’t act as husband and wife, but only as siblings, collaborators, and partners living together. Wouldn’t that be perfect!”
After some consideration, Shen Ti clapped hands with this cousin to seal a vow: mutual assistance, non-interference, and covering for one another.
The plan seemed perfect, but who could have known that later, the Flower Scholar would stand with his hands behind his back, blocking Yin Shi’s path—
“By the command of parents and the words of matchmakers, you are the wife I brought home through three mediators and six betrothals and an eight-carrier sedan. Where do you think you’re going?”
