Chapter 1

The Xiao family was dirt poor. Three thatched-roof houses stood side by side, with several square tables set up in front of them. A handful of guests sat around, drinking and chatting. Every now and then, their eyes drifted toward the shabbiest house on the far left, filled with contempt and mockery. Everyone in Xiao Family Village knew that Xiao Li, the poorest man in the village, had gotten married. But he hadn't married an innocent young maiden. Instead, he'd married a woman who had been used by another man for three years before being discarded! Inside the house on the far left... Bright red candles burned on a table missing half a leg. The dim daylight filtered through the windows, barely illuminating the room's furnishings. Chen Jiaojiao held a handkerchief over her nose as her beautiful, peach blossom eyes swept across the surroundings with disgust. The walls were made of packed earth, the roof was covered with straw, and even the teapot on the table was missing half its spout. The red wedding bedding on the bed felt rough to the touch, not even as soft as her foot-washing cloth! This was the home of Xiao Li, the man whom Master Zhang, the fortune-teller, had predicted would eventually become a marquis or prime minister. How could he be so poor? Even the dogs at her parents' home lived in spacious houses made of gray bricks and roof tiles! Her maid, Chunxi, who had been tidying up their belongings, approached with a worried expression. "Miss, let's go home. This family is so poor they can't even afford three meals a day. You're used to living comfortably. Why ruin your life over the words of some wandering fortune-teller?" "No!" Chen Jiaojiao interrupted her. She lifted her delicate, pale face, her brows and eyes filled with pride. "Now that I've married into this family, I won't give up until I become a first-rank marquis's wife!" Looking at her stubborn expression, Chunxi sighed. Actually, she couldn't blame Chen Jiaojiao for acting this way. A month ago, Hu Xiuwen, the man Chen Jiaojiao had been in love with for three years, passed the imperial examination and became a successful candidate. Chen Jiaojiao had been convinced that she would soon become the wife of a high-ranking official. However, the very first thing Hu Xiuwen did after passing the examination was to cut ties with her. In front of everyone, Hu Xiuwen twisted their mutual affection into a story about Chen Jiaojiao pestering him shamelessly and refusing to leave him alone. He even threw ten taels of silver coins in her face. As the silver coins clattered to the ground, Chen Jiaojiao felt as though her dignity and reputation had been thrown down with them. Enraged, she fainted on the spot. When she woke up, she learned that Hu Xiuwen had already headed north with the county magistrate's son to build connections and await an official appointment from the imperial court. Unable to find Hu Xiuwen and confront him in person, Chen Jiaojiao became trapped in a storm of rumors and gossip. She lay at home crying for half a month, until one day, she dreamed of an immortal who told her that she was destined to become a marquis's wife and would eventually crush Hu Xiuwen beneath her feet to get her revenge. Only then did she regain some of her spirits. As for Xiao Li's birth details, Chen Jiaojiao had carefully selected him after consulting fortune-tellers again and again. His birth chart was supposedly exceptionally auspicious. Before the age of thirty, he was destined to become a marquis or prime minister and hold a first-rank official position. Looking at Chen Jiaojiao, Chunxi sighed again. Never mind. As long as her young mistress was happy, that was what mattered. At least she was doing something other than crying herself blind at home. Even if things didn't work out and she eventually had to return to her parents' house, her father and mother doted on her like she was the apple of their eyes. They wouldn't blame her for a single thing. After tidying up the room, Chunxi prepared to return to town. The Xiao family didn't have an extra room for her, so she would go home for the night and return before dawn the following morning to serve Chen Jiaojiao. "Tell my parents and eldest brother not to worry," Chen Jiaojiao instructed her. "Once I become a marquis's wife, I'll bring them all to the capital to enjoy a comfortable life!" Chunxi glanced around the nearly empty house. Hearing those words, she felt even more sorry for her mistress. "Miss, don't think so far ahead yet. You should focus on getting through the days ahead first." With that, Chunxi stepped out into the night. The guests in the courtyard hadn't left yet. Some older men who had drunk too much began making crude remarks to Xiao Li after seeing Chunxi's delicate appearance. "Xiao Li, your wife might be a discarded woman, but this maid looks pretty and fresh! If things don't work out, why not let your wife give her to you as a concubine?" "Exactly! What's that saying? Enjoying the company of two women! Xiao Li, your good days are finally here!" Their vulgar remarks made Chunxi's eyes burn with embarrassment. She was also worried that Chen Jiaojiao might hear them and feel hurt. Before she could curse them out, the old man who had spoken first suddenly flew off his stool and landed on the ground, rolling over once. A tall man wearing a bright red wedding robe stepped forward. He was so enormous that he seemed as tall as a doorway. "Say that again, and see what happens!" The old man on the ground immediately fell silent. The other guests were too frightened to utter another word. Chunxi shuddered as she looked at the towering figure. She suddenly wanted to rush back inside and drag her mistress away. Why was her new brother-in-law so tall? Her delicate, petite mistress wouldn't be able to handle him! Xiao Li walked over to Chunxi. "Leaving already?" "Y-Yes..." Chunxi hesitated before finally saying, "Brother-in-law, our young mistress is delicate and frail. Please be gentle with her." Xiao Li paused, then nodded. Only after seeing him nod did Chunxi finally leave for town, taking one last look back as the final rays of sunlight disappeared. Her new brother-in-law seemed rather steady and reliable. He probably... probably wouldn't hurt their young mistress. ... After seeing off the guests, Xiao Li helped his eldest brother and sister-in-law return the borrowed tables and stools. Only then did he enter the bridal chamber at his sister-in-law's urging. Chen Jiaojiao sat on the bed, staring blankly at the bright red wedding character pasted on the old window. Her eyes were slightly red, as though she had been crying. Hearing the door creak open, she quickly wiped away her tears and looked toward the newcomer. This was her first time meeting Xiao Li. She had married him in a fit of determination, thinking that whether he was a mule or a horse didn't matter, as long as he could make her a marquis's wife someday. Since the room was small, Xiao Li's entrance felt like a mountain moving indoors, blocking out the sunlight and plunging the room into darkness. The dim candlelight fell behind him, casting an enormous shadow across the wall that occupied nearly half the room. Chen Jiaojiao's legs trembled. When Xiao Li walked toward her, they trembled again. H-How could he be so tall? She even suspected that her legs weren't as thick as his arms! While Chen Jiaojiao sized Xiao Li up, he was also observing her. The woman before him had a face as beautiful as moonlight and blooming flowers, clean and radiant. Her thick, black hair shone like satin, and her lips were painted a bright red. Her stunning face was complemented by a pair of captivating peach blossom eyes. Even from this distance, Xiao Li could see her long, thick eyelashes. However, her eyes were red, making it obvious that she had just been crying. Remembering what the others had said, Xiao Li roughly guessed that Chen Jiaojiao was crying over her former lover. Neither of them spoke. An awkward silence settled over the room. With a creak, Xiao Li sat down beside Chen Jiaojiao on the bed. A faint scent of sweat mixed with the dry, refreshing smell of the open wilderness drifted toward her. Chen Jiaojiao's heart suddenly began racing, and she instinctively shuffled toward the head of the bed. The bed wasn't sturdy, so Xiao Li quickly noticed her slight movement. He sat with his legs apart and his hands resting on his knees. His shadow on the ground was twice her size—one figure slender and delicate, the other broad and solid as a mountain. Their contrasting breathing filled the room, accompanied by the occasional crackle of the candlewick. Gradually, Chen Jiaojiao began to feel warm and sweaty. She licked her lips and secretly glanced sideways at Xiao Li. The man was staring at the ground. His broad chest rose and fell with every breath. His high nose cast a sharp shadow across his face, and his profile was lean, without an ounce of excess flesh. He looked strong and powerful, with prominent brow bones and stern, imposing features. Unlike ordinary peasant men, his face wasn't rough or coarse. Yet his cold, intimidating aura somehow made him even more frightening. The quiet room was filled with the occasional creaking of the bed whenever Chen Jiaojiao moved. Just thinking about what they were supposed to do next made her swallow nervously. She had seen those illustrated books before, but if Xiao Li pressed down on her with his enormous body, wouldn't she be crushed to death in bed? Her breathing grew noticeably uneven. Xiao Li turned to look at her and saw her biting her lower lip nervously. Her small hands, as delicate as bamboo shoots, clutched at her sleeves. With every breath, the curves of her slender waist shifted slightly. Neither of them knew who moved first. But when Xiao Li leaned toward her, Chen Jiaojiao hurriedly pushed against him. "Wait!" Xiao Li stopped and looked down at the top of her head. "What is it?" Under the pressure of his imposing figure, Chen Jiaojiao spoke in a trembling voice. "Y-You can touch me, but you have to agree to one condition first!" Her voice was sweet and delicate, as though she were deliberately speaking in a high-pitched tone. Every word sounded soft and enticing. Xiao Li leaned back slightly, his gaze settling on her face. "Go on." Finally able to breathe properly, Chen Jiaojiao looked at his rugged face and raised her chin, trying to assert her authority. "Your family is dirt poor. Being able to marry someone like me is the greatest blessing you could ever receive." "If you want to touch me, you must promise that I'll become a marquis's wife before you turn thirty and receive a first-rank imperial title. Otherwise, you can forget about even touching my hand!"