Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After Xie Yunji left, my house returned to its former, simple state.

Someone passing by sighed and said, “Poor Miss Shao. You were married for such a short time before your husband passed away. That husband of yours really had no luck.”

Another person added, “Miss Shao is so beautiful and managed to build such a large house; she’s truly impressive. Do you need a live-in husband? My son is available.”

It was only then that I realized Xie Yunji had altered everyone’s memories before he left.

In the eyes of the people in Xiangyun Village, Xie Yunji and I had been married for two years before he died of a serious illness, leaving me as the youngest widow in the surrounding ten miles.

What was the point of this? In my past life, he had simply wiped the villagers’ memories entirely.

While the prospects for a second marriage weren’t bad, a widow’s reputation was never as good as a first-time bride’s.

I was so frustrated my teeth itched. Who would want to be a widow at such a young age?

A few days later, many people in the village rushed over to introduce me to potential new husbands, each one being compared to Xie Yunji.

In their memories, my late husband was exceptionally handsome, literate, and skilled with both the brush and the sword-more dashing than even a top scholar from the capital.

I turned down wave after wave of suitors until I finally just shut my front gates.

That was until Sister-in-law Ah Niu brought someone over. One look at him, and my eyes lit up.

To be honest, in my previous life, I had seen countless immortals and mortals across heaven and earth, and Xie Yunji was the most beautiful person I had ever encountered.

The man standing before me, however, was even more stunning than him. I stared, mesmerized.

But a moment later, I snapped out of it with a shiver.

In the past, it was my obsession with Xie Yunji’s looks that led to so much suffering.

Back then, he studied with the village teacher. His hands were meant for holding a calligraphy brush, so I doted on him and rarely let him do any heavy labor.

Originally, after we married, he was supposed to go to the capital for the imperial examinations.

Xie Yunji had even said that once he became the top scholar, he would eventually earn me a title of nobility.

But the rest of my life is going to be very long; I can’t actually spend it mourning Xie Yunji. I fear loneliness most of all, so I wasn’t opposed to finding a good man to continue living a proper life with.

However, I’ve learned my lesson. If I’m looking for a man, I need someone honest and hardworking. Those who just pose and act refined aren’t necessarily good news.

I pulled Sister-in-law Ah Niu aside and asked worriedly, “I’m looking for a man who can work. With his looks and build, can he actually do anything?”

Sister-in-law Ah Niu suddenly understood and gave me a suggestive wink. “He can, he can! Look at his nose-it’s high and straight, and the bridge is full! I even felt his hands for you; the knuckles are large and thick, and his fingers are long and powerful. Your sister-in-law has experience-a man like this is capable on the field and in the bedroom!”

I flushed with embarrassment. “Sister-in-law! I only let you in because I thought you were a proper woman!”

I stole a glance at the man. He was wearing moon-white robes, standing in the courtyard looking clean and elegant. When he saw me looking, he offered a smile, two small dimples appearing at the corners of his mouth as he gave me a polite, formal bow.

Sister-in-law Ah Niu left with a beaming smile, leaving me and Li Yanci to stare at each other.

I mentally scolded myself. *Shao Ah Qiao, how can you still be so easily swayed by a pretty face? Didn’t you promise to look past appearances to the inner character?*

I looked at him again. The man’s eyes were captivating, carrying a hint of a lazy, half-formed smile. His ink-black hair was loosely tied, and with every flicker of his gaze, it was impossible to look away.

Well… this was admittedly a bit hard to look past.

Forget it. I have experience now. If this man doesn’t behave, I have plenty of ways to handle him.