Chapter 1

Chapter 1

My name is Gao Suyun, and my father is the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy.

Since childhood, I have enjoyed a reputation for being intelligent, kind-hearted, serene, and virtuous.

After my coming-of-age ceremony, the Dowager Marchioness of Jing’an-the mother of the current Marquis Jing’an-sent a letter to my grandmother.

In the letter, she expressed her intention for me to become the successor wife of Marquis Jing’an.

His first wife, Madam Li, had passed away two years prior. It was only right and proper that he should marry a new wife to manage the household.

Although he is ten years my senior, a man’s worth lies in his capabilities. Marquis Jing’an is a favored official of the Emperor, holding great power and high status, and the Marquis’ Mansion is renowned for its wealth and luxury.

For the daughter of a fourth-rank official like myself, this was undoubtedly a step up the social ladder.

At the time, I felt as though I had been struck by a stroke of incredible luck.

Even my mother whispered to my father, “When our Suyun was born, the sky was filled with rosy clouds. She truly was destined for great things!”

My second and fourth sisters were incredibly envious, teasing me playfully: “Once you become the Marchioness, don’t you dare forget your sisters!”

I was terribly bashful, but my heart was sweet, filled with expectations and visions of the days to come.

After the verbal agreement for the marriage was made, the Dowager Marchioness of Jing’an made a special trip to our home to see me.

She was kind and gentle, her face blooming with smiles. She even gifted me a jade bracelet of exceptional quality.

I knew she had always been fond of me.

In the future, I would serve her with filial devotion, dedicate myself to bearing children for the Marquis’ Mansion, and manage the household affairs with my whole heart.

When the Dowager Marchioness’s birthday arrived, the Marquis’ Mansion sent a formal invitation. They had hired a famous opera troupe from the capital and invited my grandmother, my sisters, and me to arrive early.

For this occasion, I had meticulously prepared a piece of embroidery, working day and night for five or six days straight, intending to present it to the Dowager Marchioness.

But on that day, I saw a woman as beautiful as a celestial being sitting beside the Dowager Marchioness.

She was dressed in fine silks, her hair adorned with jewels and emeralds; she looked like a divine consort descended to earth.

From her appearance to her conduct, she was beyond reproach.

Only after asking did I discover she was actually a concubine of Marquis Jing’an.

I knew that Wu Zhiyu was nearly thirty and a man of such dashing charm; it was impossible for his inner chambers to be empty.

But this concubine sat so openly and prominently beside the Dowager Marchioness, and everyone in the Marquis’ Mansion treated her with the utmost respect.

I carefully observed the maids and older servants coming and going; almost everything was done according to her instructions.

This was no mere concubine; she held more dignity and authority than a Marchioness.

And my future husband-Wu Zhiyu-never let his eyes wander from this beloved concubine for even a moment.

After sitting at the birthday banquet for a while, the expressions of my grandmother, my sisters, and myself all soured.

I stepped out briefly to inquire and learned that this concubine was named Bai Xiniang. She had been in the Marquis’ Mansion for over two years.

Wu Zhiyu doted on her immensely, showering her with every possible favor. For her sake, he had even dismissed all his other concubines.

Had her birth not been so lowly, he would have even sought to elevate her to the position of primary wife.

Unfortunately, Bai Xiniang was a courtesan who had been redeemed from a brothel. Although she had never actually entertained guests, her background was simply too beneath the dignity of high society.

It was said she was very capable. At first, the Dowager Marchioness couldn’t stand her, but she had slowly managed to change the old lady’s mind.

Now, I finally understood.

Before my grandfather passed away, he was only of the third rank. The highest-ranking members of our family now, my eldest uncle and my father, are only of the fourth rank.

The Marquis’ Mansion chose me because they saw that I was kind, mild-tempered, and easy to manipulate.

They intended to send the betrothal gifts only so that I would endure this concubine whom they had elevated to the heavens.