The Double

At first, she was terrified, anxious, begging for forgiveness, but eventually, she became numb, resigned, and learned to turn a deaf ear, a skill mastered in just a few years. Madam Yin even found some twisted comfort thinking, although he neglected her and refused to share a bed, and showed no concern for her, at least he didn’t seek other women, which showed some respect for her. At least he had left her with a daughter.

In front of Yin Zhiqing, Madam Yin acted as if nothing was wrong. Thus, Yin Zhiqing never realized that his parents had become strangers to each other, which was highly abnormal.

Indeed, it was better when Yin Zhiqing was there. When he wasn’t, and Madam Yin was alone with Yin Zhan, she always felt like she was his servant, humble, subject to his every command, not daring to voice her own needs, cautiously trying to please, only to be met with his impatient dismissals, just as it had happened moments ago.

She knew what the maids said about her behind her back, that despite her pretty and charming face, she couldn’t even keep a man, which was a real empty-headed move. Madam Yin could only respond to these comments with a bitter smile. As the saying goes, "prescribe the right remedy for the ailment," but how could she do that when Yin Zhan’s change seemed to happen overnight and she knew neither the reason for his change nor the remedy for it? All she could do was watch as the disease worsened and simply muddle along.

With quick steps, she returned to her own courtyard.

Meanwhile, in the study, Yin Zhili picked up a tea bowl from the desk and tasted it carefully, saying, "Mother’s cooking is very good, Father should try some, to avoid hurting Mother’s heart."

"I have already eaten at the palace," Yin Zhan said. "Since you like it, eat more and finish this bowl too."

"Father is really... too harsh on Mother," Yin Zhili said with a smile, shaking his head as if he disapproved of Yin Zhan’s actions.

"You don’t need to worry about this," Yin Zhan said. "Your mother and I know what to do with our matters."

"Yes," Yin Zhili replied. "I haven’t had the chance to congratulate Father today. This time you’ve won a great victory, annihilating Prince Cheng’s rebels and achieving another success."

"Prince Cheng was stubborn and self-righteous, not worth mentioning. Defeating him is not something to be proud of. Don’t get complacent. If I hadn’t been worried about trouble in Yanjing City, I would have let you join me," Yin Zhan said.