Wutong Courtyard was festooned with lanterns and ribbons, bright with celebration.
In the bridal chamber, dragon‑phoenix candles burned. It should have been the happiest moment, yet the “newlyweds” wore frowns, weighed down with worry.
Ye Yizhen reclined weakly on the wedding bed, her black hair spilling across the mandarin‑duck embroidered pillow, her pale face delicate and pitiful. “Brother Jiang, what should I do? Wuwu…”
Jiang Wenzhou held her close, his mind in turmoil. “Don’t be afraid. With me here, no one dares belittle you. You will be the true mistress of the Pingxi household.”
According to their plan, Yun Zheng would be married in, her dowry seized, and she confined to the back courtyard—her life and death under their control. But now everything was in chaos, and they had even offended Lord Qiansui.
Ye Yizhen had become the nominal elder sister‑in‑law, her status awkward, her precious reputation tarnished. “But… Yun Zheng…”
Jiang Wenzhou’s fury had nowhere to go. “So what if she’s arrogant? She still enters my Jiang family’s gates. But I will never look at her. My wife is only you—no one else.”
It is the unloved who destroy. One day, he vowed, he would set things right.
Ye Yizhen threw herself into his arms, tears mingled with a smile, pitiful yet alluring. “Brother Jiang, you are too good to me. Heaven has not treated me poorly. Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life.”
Soft fragrance and warm jade in his embrace, Jiang Wenzhou’s desire surged. He pressed her beneath him. “Zhenzhen, a spring night is worth a thousand gold. Let us rest.”
Ye Yizhen blushed shyly. “Brother Jiang…”
The two entwined, garments falling to the floor, the chamber filled with sensual heat. Just then—bang bang bang!—the pounding of fists on the door.
Jiang Wenzhou’s body jolted, collapsing weakly atop the woman, anger and frustration boiling. Who was so vile? To disturb a bridal chamber was immoral. Could it be Yun Zheng? Waiting in vain, then coming to pound on the door?
“Throw her out! Drive her away—”
But a furious voice roared from outside: “Wretch! Why are you still here?”
The two were startled. Jiang Wenzhou immediately rolled off, scrambling to snatch up his clothes and throw them on.
“Father, tonight is my wedding night—why are you here?”
Marquis Pingxi stormed in, furious. “Hurry back to Chunxiao Courtyard. Don’t keep Yun Zheng waiting.”
He was muddled. At a time like this, he should have been soothing Yun Zheng, coaxing her into submission.
Jiang Wenzhou understood, but he couldn’t swallow his pride. “I won’t go!”
Ye Yizhen seethed inside. For the groom to be dragged away on the wedding night was a humiliation beyond bearing. But before the Marquis, she dared not speak, only pretended to be meek. “Brother Jiang, Father only thinks of your good. Listen to him. I can endure a little grievance.”
The more she said this, the more Jiang Wenzhou’s heart ached for her. “Father, don’t persuade me. I want to give Yun Zheng a lesson. I’ll let the whole household know: a woman neglected by her husband deserves no respect. She’ll have no confidence to challenge us again.”
On the wedding night, for the husband not to enter the bridal chamber was the greatest humiliation for a bride. The entire household would treat her as nothing.
Marquis Pingxi’s face was dark as water. The idea was clever, but circumstances outweighed pride. “Men from the palace have arrived.”
Jiang Wenzhou’s face changed. “What?”
Marquis Pingxi’s voice was cold. “For the sake of a woman, you offended Lord Qiansui. I haven’t even settled that account. If you offend the palace as well, the heir’s seat will be given to another.”
At those words, Jiang Wenzhou shrank back, fear overtaking him. “I’ll go.”
He dressed properly, opened the door, and stepped out, though his face was sour.
Marquis Pingxi sighed softly. “Remember—you are the heir of the Pingxi Marquis household. You must endure what others cannot, achieve what others cannot.”
“Yes, Father.” Jiang Wenzhou ground his teeth, swallowing his rage.
Marquis Pingxi patted his son’s back. “Win her over. Make her hand over her silver and the jade token willingly. Drain her of everything, and let it lift you to the clouds. When that time comes, whatever you wish to do, Father will support you.”
Jiang Wenzhou’s eyes flickered. “Yes.” Before leaving, he returned to the room to comfort Ye Yizhen again and again.
Ye Yizhen nestled in his arms, crying bitterly. “Brother Jiang, just thinking of you sharing a bed with that woman feels like a thousand knives cutting into me. Wuwu…”
Jiang Wenzhou’s heart ached. “Zhenzhen, don’t worry. No matter what happens, my heart belongs only to you.” After much soothing, he reluctantly left.
Watching his figure disappear, Ye Yizhen hardened her resolve. Today’s humiliation will be repaid a hundredfold in the future. Suddenly, a shadow slipped inside, kneeling at her feet. “Master, the mission has changed.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Wenzhou stormed toward Chunxiao Courtyard with his servant, determined to give Yun Zheng an unforgettable experience. First, he would humiliate her, crush her arrogance, then torment her in bed. But when he arrived, the courtyard gate was shut tight!
He stared in disbelief at the closed doors, rage flaring. He kicked the gate—“Ahh!”—his foot hurt.
The servant rushed forward, pounding on the door. “Open up! Quickly! The heir has returned for the bridal chamber!”
Inside, everyone turned to look at Yun Zheng, silent as stone.
Open—or not?
Yun Zheng stood quietly, countless memories flashing through her mind.
In her past life, she had waited all night while Jiang Wenzhou and Ye Yizhen reveled in Wutong Courtyard. The next day, she was humiliated beyond measure. From beginning to end, she had been nothing but a tool for the Marquis household to plunder wealth—never respected, mocked, abused. But in this life, Jiang Wenzhou had actually come to her. Heh.
Everything was different now. She believed the future would change too.
When the door didn’t open, Jiang Wenzhou grew enraged and shouted curses outside. The more he cursed, the filthier his words became—even Yun Zheng’s parents were insulted.
Yun Zheng’s eyes turned cold. She beckoned to Nanny Li.
“The heir has drunk too much. Pour him some foot‑washing water to sober him up.”
Nanny Li understood completely—this was a total break, with no intention of reconciliation.
“Have you thought this through? The world is harsh, harsher still on women.”
In truth, there was no need to make things so rigid. She could feign compliance, bear children, then keep the son while discarding the father, raising the child to inherit the Marquis title. At that time, she would be the matriarch of the Pingxi household, commanding absolute authority.
But Yun Zheng refused to wrong herself. “Go.”
Nanny Li sighed silently. So be it.
Outside, Jiang Wenzhou raged, cursing and kicking the gate in impotent fury. He had already humbled himself to come to her bridal chamber—yet she treated him like this? Intolerable!
Just then, the gate opened.
Jiang Wenzhou’s heart leaped. “Now you open the door? Too late! I will never share a bed with a merchant’s daughter. I despise your stench of copper coins—”
Splash! A basin of water drenched him head‑to‑toe. Caught off guard, he was soaked, droplets running down his hair, trickling into his open mouth. The stench filled his nose.
Jiang Wenzhou broke completely. Ahhh! He was going mad!
“Yun Zheng! You’re dead!”