chapter 1

I was a merchant’s daughter, but I had been blessed with beauty from childhood.

My father doted on me and was determined to marry me into an official’s family.

“Money is no substitute for power,” he told me. “I’ve suffered enough contempt for one lifetime. I won’t let you suffer it too.”

Once I came of age, he began searching for a husband.

No family without an official would do. No man who could not study would do. No man too old would do.

After enough refusals, even the matchmakers called Father impossible and stopped coming to our door.

I was past eighteen when he returned home one day glowing with delight. He had found me an excellent match.

The man was a legitimate son of the Marquis of Valor. He had earned distinction before the age of twenty. For a merchant family like ours to reach such a match, our ancestors must have blessed us from their graves.

The matchmaker said the marquis’s family had consulted the temple and learned that the two of us were a union ordained by heaven.

They were in a great hurry. Barely three months passed between the matchmaker’s first visit and my wedding. Then I became a young madam of the Qin family.

It was only in the bridal chamber that I learned the marquis had more than one son.

The man I had met was the second son, Qin Zhaoyuan.

He was handsome, vigorous, and accomplished in both talent and learning. Father had said that, judging by his character, even a princess could not hope for better.

The man I married was the eldest son, Qin You’an.

He had been frail from birth and seldom left the house. Few people even knew the Qin family had such a son.

After barely managing to lift my veil, Qin You’an rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.

I sat at the bedside all night, plucking at the golden threads embroidered on my wedding dress.

When dawn came, I went alone to serve tea to my new parents-in-law.

Laughter already filled the hall.

Xiaotao’s hand trembled around mine. “The Second Young Master also married yesterday. This is too much!”

So that was it.

No wonder there had been such a commotion when the bridal sedan chairs entered the residence.

Liu Ruying looked radiant, her cheeks flushed. Whatever she had just said made my mother-in-law laugh.

She was the first to notice me. She came over with a bright smile and reached for my hand.

“I heard you and Eldest Brother fell in love at first sight, Sister-in-law. Are you happy now that you are married?”

Her lips smiled, but the malice in her eyes was almost spilling over.

The lively hall went silent at once. Everyone watched to see how the woman tricked into this marriage would react.

Qin Zhaoyuan stood, lightly tugged at Liu Ruying’s sleeve, and bowed to me.

Guilt showed on his face.

He still wore the same blue-green robe he had worn on the day we met.

One look at Liu Ruying’s triumphant gaze told me she had arranged that too.

I looked away and walked gracefully forward. I served the tea to my parents-in-law with steady hands, then lowered my eyes and said meekly,

“A maiden treasures her reputation above all else. I did not dare look closely at my future husband that day. Only yesterday did I learn what a true gentleman looks like.”

My parents-in-law’s worry turned to delight. My mother-in-law patted my hand and said, “Good child. If you lack anything at all, come to me.”

Winning their favor naturally made me an eyesore to someone else.

Liu Ruying cornered me in the back garden.

“What a silver tongue you have, Sister-in-law. You won Mother and Father’s hearts so easily, while I can barely string two pleasant words together.”

“A shameless woman took a fancy to my husband not long ago. I still haven’t figured out how to turn her away.”

I swept my gaze over her smug expression and replied mildly,

“You jest, Sister-in-law. Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. A woman who privately pledges herself to a man could be drowned in a pig cage.”

It was difficult to investigate the marquis’s family from outside. Inside the residence, ten taels of silver bought every secret.

Liu Ruying was the daughter of the Director of the Secretariat. She and Qin Zhaoyuan had grown up together and privately promised themselves to each other long ago. All they had to do was wait until Qin You’an took a wife before they could marry.

Unfortunately, Qin You’an was too sickly. Respectable noblewomen refused to marry him, while those who were willing came from fallen families hungry for power.

My mother-in-law thought none of them was good enough for her precious eldest son. She insisted on finding a fine woman who cared nothing for rank or influence.

As more and more of her peers married, Liu Ruying lost patience.

She proposed that the family let someone else attend the arranged meeting in Qin You’an’s place.

I was the unlucky woman she selected.

First, I was beautiful and seemed gentle enough to control.

Second, although my family was rich, we had no connections. If I were wronged, no one could stand up for me.

Third, she bore me an old grudge. Ruining me would please her.

My words made Liu Ruying flush scarlet. She flung her sleeve and stormed away, leaving Qin Zhaoyuan behind, visibly uneasy.

He never seemed quite confident when facing me.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally raised his head and said guiltily,

“I wronged you.”

“Please don’t blame Ruying. She can be childish.”

I shook my head and handed him the jade pendant hidden in my sleeve.

“I do not hold it against you. I have forgotten everything between us.”

I met his eyes with perfect candor.

As if stunned, he closed his fingers around the pendant and murmured, “Good.”

How could I possibly forget?

We had talked with such ease at our meeting that I had thought I had found a kindred spirit. Fighting my shyness, I sent him pastries. The next day, he sent me that pendant in return.

After the wedding, I cautiously asked Qin You’an about those exchanges. He knew nothing.

That was when I understood that Qin Zhaoyuan had not been indifferent to me.

And a man’s affection could become the finest blade in my hand.

Xiaotao lamented my misfortune and worried over how I would survive in the marquis’s residence.

I did not share her concern.

A sickly husband. A brother-in-law with feelings for me. Parents-in-law vain and shallow enough to manipulate.

My broad road to prosperity lay perfectly clear before me.

I watched Qin Zhaoyuan flee and smiled until my eyes curved.

“Come. It’s time to brew medicine for my dear husband.”