我公婆便来跟我说
“my parents-in-law told me”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
忽有一日
“All of a sudden, one day,”
我公婆便 来跟我说
“my parents-in-law told me”
要为我相公纳妾
“they would take a concubine for my husband.”
“They didn't consult me; they imposed their patriarchal decision on me.”
In imperial China, parents-in-law wielded absolute control over domestic affairs, including procuring concubines to ensure male lineage.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
parents-in-law (husband's parents)
A traditional collective term referring specifically to a woman's father-in-law and mother-in-law.
then came to tell me
A classical narrative connective phrase indicating a direct consequential action.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“my in-laws also have nothing to do at home. Seriously.”
“and let me look after you.”
“my in-laws also have nothing to do at home.”
“My mom told me to tell you”
“she'll surely be picked on by her in-laws one day.”
“so he asked me to visit you.”