Chapter 18: Yingchun's Unhappy Marriage
Yingchun was one of Baoyu's sisters, known for her gentle and quiet nature. She was not as clever as Tanchun or as lively as Xiangyun, but she had a kind heart that made people feel comfortable around her. She loved reading and spent most of her time in her room with her books.
When Yingchun reached the age of marriage, her father arranged a union with a man named Sun Shaozu. He was the son of a military officer and came from a respectable family. On paper, the marriage seemed like a good match. But those who knew Sun Shaozu whispered that he was a cruel and violent man.
Yingchun said nothing when she heard the news. She had never been one to argue or complain, and she accepted her fate with quiet sadness. On her wedding day, she was dressed in beautiful red clothes and carried to her new home in a golden carriage. The Jia family celebrated, but Daiyu and Baoyu felt a deep worry in their hearts.
Months passed, and terrible news began to reach the mansion. Sun Shaozu treated Yingchun badly, beating her and ignoring her feelings. When she visited her old home, her face was pale and her eyes were full of fear. "I cannot bear this life," she whispered to her grandmother. "But I have nowhere to go."
The family tried to help, but the rules of society gave them little power. Once a woman was married, she belonged to her husband's family. Yingchun's story showed the cruel fate that awaited many young women in those days, no matter how kind and gentle they were.