In her previous life, this wretched woman had also married a man surnamed Xu. First, she was Xiucai Niangzi, then became Juren Taitai, and finally ascended to become Tanhualang Furen in one fell swoop.
Everyone praised her for having good fortune, saying that marrying a man like Xu Jinnian was like the Sheng family ancestors’ graves emitting auspicious smoke.
The more triumphant this wretched woman became as Tanhualang Furen, the more tragic her eventual downfall turned out to be.
Probably even in her wildest dreams, this wretched woman never imagined that while she treated that Xu fellow like treasure—toiling daily at a street stall to earn money to support his studies and imperial examinations—she would end up with her closest relatives dying tragically and herself perishing while pregnant, resulting in two deaths.
Hah, that Xu fellow is nothing but a hypocrite. The moment he achieved the rank of Top Scholar, he sent a letter of divorce from thousands of miles away to abandon this wretched woman, all to climb the social ladder by marrying into a powerful family.
This wretched woman refused to believe it was true, insisting the divorce letter was fake, and determined to go to Jingcheng to confront him in person.
However, on the very night she left the village, a group of people sneaked in, set the Sheng family home on fire, and burned the two old folks alive.
That wretched woman Sheng An didn’t fare any better either—she encountered bandits on her way to the capital, ultimately dying while pregnant and left exposed in the wilderness.
Such a vicious man like that Xu fellow—only this blind wretched woman would treat him like treasure. Causing her own grandparents’ deaths and her own death while pregnant served her right!
Thinking of this, Liu Huazhi laughed triumphantly: “I’m waiting for you to repeat your mistakes. When the time comes, I’ll definitely host three days of flowing banquets!”
But as she laughed, her laughter gradually died down.
In her previous life, no matter how hard she tried to entangle herself with him, that Xu fellow never gave her a second glance.
Although this spared her from suffering the same fate as that wretched woman Sheng An, her own outcome wasn’t much better either.
Determined to outdo that wretched woman, she was bent on marrying into a wealthy, influential family in the city.
Who would have thought that these prominent households could be so filthy? As merely a lowly concubine, all she wanted was to bear a child for security, yet even that oppressive inner courtyard couldn’t tolerate her—she was killed within a year.
Recalling the agony of drinking poisoned wine, her internal organs burning as if scorched by fierce flames, Liu Huazhi couldn’t help but shudder, her face instantly turning deathly pale.
No, this time around, having been reborn, she absolutely would not meet the same fate as her previous life.
She would keep her eyes wide open, marry an ideal husband, and live a glorious life forever!
She already had a target for this ideal husband.
This lifetime, she would surely seize the opportunity to marry him first, and have him earn a Gaoming title for her, elevating her to become part of the elite!
Liu Huazhi’s eyes blazed with intimidating light, filled with resentment over failing to obtain what she desired in her previous life and confidence in achieving all her wishes in this life.
Watching the two figures ahead gradually disappear, she snorted coldly, turned around, and strode away.
Sheng An, of course, had no idea that Liu Huazhi had already given up on the “ruthless” Xu Jinnian and shifted her target. She spoke to Xu Jinnian about setting up a stall to sell Wonton:
“You know the family’s situation better than I do. Relying solely on your copying work to earn money isn’t sustainable. Setting up a stall to sell Wonton may not make us rich, but it should be enough to cover the household expenses without any problem. Besides, my grandparents are getting old and won’t be able to farm for many more years. I need to start preparing for their retirement in advance—I can’t let them grow old with no one to depend on.”
Having said this, Sheng An subtly observed Xu Jinnian’s expression.
If the man showed even the slightest disapproval, she wouldn’t hesitate to kick him to the curb.
Already suspected of being a potential heartbreaker, if he dared oppose her starting a business—what use was there in keeping such a man?
He’d only bring her trouble.
Sure enough, Xu Jinnian’s brow furrowed slightly, his handsome face revealing disapproval.
Sheng An instantly bristled at the sight. “What, are you ashamed of me setting up a stall and embarrassing you, or do you object to me supporting Grandpa and Grandma in their old age?”
Xu Jinnian’s expression darkened further upon hearing this.
The evening glow cast a warm golden light upon his face, making every subtle shift in expression clearly visible on his flawless features.
At this moment, Xu Jinnian was angry, very angry.
“In Niangzi’s heart, does your husband appear to be such an unfilial and dishonorable villain?”
The man stopped walking, his expression tense as he stared intently at his wife. His eyes, reflecting the sunset, held unspeakable sorrow and dejection.
Sheng An glared at him. “It was you who showed disapproval, not me falsely accusing you.”
Xu Jinnian gazed at her deeply for a long moment. Just as Sheng An felt her eyes were about to twitch from the strain, he finally spoke with resignation:
“My leave ends in two days. I’ll need to attend lectures at Fuzi’s place every morning and won’t be able to stay home to help. Setting up the stall alone is too exhausting—I worry your health can’t withstand it.”
She was so slender and petite, without much strength to begin with. The thought of her toiling from dawn to dusk at the stall filled him with concern.
“I-Is that so…”
Sheng An stared blankly at the man who showed no signs of deceit, suddenly realizing that Liu Huazhi’s influence had already planted prejudice against him in her heart.
“I don’t oppose you setting up a stall. I just hope we can postpone this matter until you’ve recovered your health first.”
Xu Jinnian sighed inwardly, his slender hand gently resting on Sheng An’s head, ruffling her fluffy hair:
“We’ve only been married for three days. It’s natural for you to be reserved with me. If after spending more time together, you still can’t trust me, then it means I haven’t done well enough. I hope you’ll point it out and give me a chance to improve.”
Rather than silently accumulating dissatisfaction and completely shutting him out of your heart, leaving no space for him at all.
Sheng An’s heart trembled, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He knew!
Such sharp perception!
Avoiding the man’s gaze, Sheng An nodded hastily. “I was wrong to suspect you this time. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Xu Jinnian smiled, his eyes warm and gentle. “Mm, I won’t.”
Husband and wife should naturally be tolerant with each other. How could he nitpick over such a small matter?
He only hoped his Niangzi would remember his words.
By the time the couple returned home, the sun had completely set.
Xu Chenglin had already eaten the dinner delivered by Xu Xiaogu. Seeing the young couple return, he inquired with concern about Sheng An’s grandparents.
Learning that the elderly couple remained healthy and still worked in the fields daily, he felt both envy and worry.
When Sheng An went to the kitchen to heat bathwater, Xu Chenglin quietly advised his son:
“The elders seem hale and hearty, but they’re advanced in age after all. It’s hard to say how many more years they can farm. With only your wife as their descendant, their elderly support will likely fall on you two. Don’t let it bother you.”
Though Xu Chenglin also worried about his son’s heavy burden of supporting the elderly, having married their granddaughter meant assuming the responsibilities that came with it. Otherwise, what kind of person would he be?
“Don’t worry, Father. Your son will provide for both elders.”
Xu Jinnian wasn’t surprised by his father’s words. Since childhood, he had taken his father as his role model, aligning his conduct and dealings with his father’s example.
Xu Chenglin felt gratified and added with a smile, “When you have time in the future, accompany your wife to visit her grandparents more often. It’s not far anyway, and the trip is convenient.”
After the father and son conversed a while longer, the bathwater was ready.
After washing up, Sheng An returned to her room to rest, while Xu Jinnian went to the study to continue copying books.
Two hours later, he extinguished the candle and tiptoed back to the room.
The room was pitch dark, and Xu Jinnian could only make out a vague dark shadow on the bed.
He took off his shoes and carefully got into bed, but his hand brushed against something soft. He immediately withdrew it as if scalded by fire.
“Mmm…”
In her sleep, Sheng An felt someone grabbing her butt. She grumbled discontentedly, then rolled over and sprawled diagonally across the bed, her head and feet occupying opposite corners and taking up the entire space.
A helpless sigh echoed in the darkness.
That night, Xu Jinnian had no idea how he managed to fall asleep. When he woke up the next morning, his back and waist were sore and aching.
Sheng An remained completely unaware. Hearing the rustling sounds of someone getting dressed, she drowsily opened her eyes and realized she was lying right in the middle of the large bed, wrapped tightly in a thin quilt like an oversized silkworm cocoon.
Belatedly realizing that her poor sleeping posture had affected Xu Jinnian’s rest, she attempted a feeble explanation:
“I’m still growing, so my sleeping habits aren’t very good.”
After a moment’s thought, Sheng An sincerely suggested, “How about I sleep in the guest room from now on? That way, I won’t disturb your rest, and you can focus better on your studies.”
With a handsome man sleeping beside her every day, she couldn’t guarantee she’d be able to control herself.
Not that losing control would be such a bad thing, but it still felt like something was missing.