Han Qiuniang had never expected that a Xiucai this year was allowed to choose three wives. She said softly with clear nervousness, “Husband, my cousin is here.”
She already felt endlessly grateful that Lu Qing chose her despite her reputation.
Now she was asking him to choose her cousin as well. Would that be acceptable?
Cousin?
Lu Qing hadn’t expected that her cousin was here too.
Where?
“Qiuniang!”
“Qiuniang!”
Two young women rushed out.
Their looks were no worse than Han Qiuniang’s.
Only their bodies were thin, clearly caused by years of poor nutrition. Still, Lu Qing could tell at a glance that they were beauties in the making.
If Han Qiuniang was a hidden boss, then these two were legendary golden characters.
They hadn’t been chosen most likely because they were too thin and had been disliked by everyone. Add Han Qiuniang’s bad reputation, and no one dared to select them. In this conservative era, if one person’s reputation was bad, even relatives would be implicated. If they were never selected, the two of them would be sent as annual tribute.
“Husband, this is my aunt’s daughter Cheng Su’e, and this is my uncle’s daughter Zheng Yulan.” Someone quickly reminded Lu Qing, “Even without Han Qiuniang, look at how thin they are. One glance shows they can’t do heavy work. Bringing them home is like bringing back a loss. Who would dare marry such girls? Lu Qing, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment.”
Choosing Han Qiuniang was already considered a mistake.
He must not take another wrong step.
If he made a second mistake, it would be a complete disaster.
Next year’s taxes would definitely be impossible to pay.
If that happened, he would be thrown into prison, exiled, or sent to forced labor. He could not ruin himself out of momentary impulse.
“Brother‑in‑law, I beg you, please take us in. Don’t look at how skinny we are—we can do any work. We also eat very little; one meal a day is enough,” Zheng Yulan pleaded, kneeling in front of Lu Qing.
“Yes, we can work hard,” Cheng Su’e added, knocking her head against the ground. If Lu Qing didn’t choose them, their fate would be worse than death.
“Husband!” At this moment, Han Qiuniang also knelt before Lu Qing. “Please accept my cousins. The three of us eat very little and will work hard for you.” Her eyes were full of pleading.
“Get up.” Lu Qing asked the three to stand. He wasn’t choosing them because they were cousins; he simply had a soft heart. “Officer, I will choose them.”
“I… I thank you! Thank you!” Zheng Yulan cried as she repeatedly kowtowed to him.
“Are you really sure?” Even the bailiff felt Lu Qing was being reckless.
Choosing three thin girls who couldn’t work was asking for hardship. Vases were useless in a struggling household.
“I’m sure,” Lu Qing said with a nod.
“Then sign and press your fingerprints, and take them away!”
“Yes.” Lu Qing, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e signed and pressed their fingerprints again.
“Throw their belongings over.”
“Alright!”
Three flat bundles were tossed down from the cart. Lu Qing glanced at them—they should be the dowries of Han Qiuniang, Cheng Su’e, and Zheng Yulan.
“Let’s go.” Lu Qing prepared to leave with the three.
“Lu Qing.” Liu Xicai called out to him.
“Village Chief,” Lu Qing said, walking over.
“You were too impulsive, but what’s done is done. You know the rules of Manglong Village, don’t you?”
“I know. I’ll treat everyone to wedding wine another day.” Lu Qing smiled.
Even though the marriage was forced by the Magistrate Office, it was still a marriage, so hosting a banquet for the villagers was expected.
“You…” Liu Xicai stared at him speechlessly. From his expression, Lu Qing realized he had guessed wrong.
“Establish dominance,” Liu Xicai finally reminded him.
“Establish dominance?”
“Yes. Forced marriages by the Magistrate Office aren’t like normal proposals. These women always carry resentment in their hearts. So after taking them home today, you must give them a good beating, then make them kneel outside without food for three days. Only then will they fear you from the bottom of their hearts.”
This wasn’t something Liu Xicai made up—it was the custom throughout the Great Yong Empire.
Lu Qing raised an eyebrow. This was truly barbaric.
“I understand,” he said. He didn’t argue.
In this world, some things remained unchanged no matter how much one argued.
“Let’s go.” Lu Qing returned to Han Qiuniang, Cheng Su’e, and Zheng Yulan and took the three home.
As for Zhao Tiezhu and the others, their choices had nothing to do with him.
Han Qiuniang, Cheng Su’e, and Zheng Yulan followed behind Lu Qing nervously. “Sister?”
“It’s fine,” Han Qiuniang reassured them.
They arrived at Lu Qing’s home. “Sorry, this house hasn’t been repaired for many years, so it’s a bit shabby,” Lu Qing said awkwardly.
Three mud-brick rooms—one with a collapsed roof and broken windows used as storage. Only the west room looked somewhat intact.
“It’s fine. Husband didn’t dislike us, and we are already grateful. As long as the place keeps out the wind and rain, it’s enough,” Han Qiuniang answered obediently, though she couldn’t help feeling disappointed. The house was barely livable. The courtyard was completely overgrown, abandoned for years.
“Sister is right. If we work hard, it will get better,” Cheng Su’e said. Even if the place was broken, it was better than being sent for Annual Tribute.
“Don’t worry. This is only temporary. Our lives will get better,” Lu Qing said, though he didn’t know how to reassure them properly.
“We believe in Husband,” Zheng Yulan said with a small smile.
The four entered the house, and the atmosphere fell silent.
“Would you like some water?” Lu Qing brought out large bowls. He didn’t have teapots or cups, only bowls used for both meals and drinking.
“We’ll do it ourselves,” Han Qiuniang said, taking the bowl from him quickly.
“Alright,” Lu Qing replied with a smile.
Then he turned and saw the three women kneeling again in front of him. “You…?” Lu Qing didn’t understand.
“Husband, we know the rules. Please go easy when you beat us,” Han Qiuniang said with pleading eyes. In forced marriages, the first thing the man had to do was beat the new brides to establish dominance.
“This…” Lu Qing was speechless. “Stand up. I’m not going to beat you.” He helped them up. The three women stared at him in disbelief.
Someone who didn’t beat his wives?
“Husband should hit us. If you don’t beat us today, others will laugh at you,” Cheng Su’e said, still urging him.
“You are my wives, not livestock I bought. Why should I hit you?” Lu Qing said helplessly.
He supported the three of them to their feet. “A man who beats his own women is a useless man. Don’t worry—I won’t hit you. Whatever others say has nothing to do with us.”
He smiled gently as he comforted them.
“Really?” Han Qiuniang looked stunned.
Before leaving home, her parents had reminded her countless times—no matter how badly she was beaten, she had to endure it silently so her husband would be satisfied.