Chapter 2

Chapter 2

No one from the Cui Family came to attend to me, the “new bride.” The family had fallen so far that they could no longer afford maids or servants; only one loyal retainer remained, and he was currently busy caring for Cui Shao.

Cui Shao’s body could no longer withstand much more hardship.

I stood outside his room, and just as I was about to knock, I heard the sound of an argument coming from within.

“This is the Chen Family’s idea of sincerity?”

The speaker was Cui Zishu, Cui Shao’s younger sister and my new sister-in-law.

Her voice was sharp, carrying a piercing intensity. The person she was questioning remained silent for a long time. Just as I nervously clenched my fists, he finally spoke.

“The Chen Family has shown a modicum of integrity. They didn’t break the engagement just because the Cui Family has fallen into ruin.”

His voice was as gentle as I remembered, though perhaps due to his injuries, it carried a hint of languidness and an almost imperceptible coldness.

He was like the cold moon in the sky, scattering its light indiscriminately upon all things, yet remaining frigid and devoid of warmth.

I couldn’t help but want to see what he looked like.

Unfortunately, through the hole in the window paper, I could only see Cui Zishu sitting by the bedside and a brocade quilt that had been washed until it was faded.

The corner of the quilt shifted, and a large, well-defined hand reached out.

It was skin and bones, the blue veins prominent, yet it didn’t seem weak. He was holding a letter, which he handed to Cui Zishu.

It was written by Master Chen.

Cui Zishu’s face twisted into a sneer. “This is the ‘loyal and righteous’ Chen Family? They claim they won’t break the contract just because we’ve fallen, but if that were true, why didn’t they marry off their legitimate daughter sooner? Instead, they send a maid? Oh, wait-no, she’s an illegitimate daughter!”