Shen Yici's concubine gave birth, a baby girl. Before the concubine could even see her child, she was dealt with by Madam Hou.
In the year Shen Yici turned eighteen, Madam Hou of Xuanping Marquisate arranged for him to marry Xiao Liyuan, the legitimate daughter of General Dingyuan, a fifth-rank official.
This was already the best choice for Madam Hou of Dingyuan Marquisate, and she also understood why the noble daughters were unwilling to marry him.
Although she found it all nonsense, she couldn't force anyone to marry. She only felt her son was unlucky and did not tell Shen Yici about it.
Miss Xiao was also willing to marry into the Shen family. Her family background was not prominent, and her features, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, did not quite match the aesthetic preferences of the capital.
However, Shen Yici had a distinguished family background and was good-looking, making him her best choice. She had practiced martial arts with her father since childhood, so who could mistreat her?
Regardless of whom he loved, as long as she gave birth to a legitimate son, everything in Xuanping Marquisate would belong to her son. He could keep as many concubines as he wanted.
She would not be dejected and foolishly give up her life just because of others' words. As long as she held the status of the principal wife and never fell in love, she would always be the winner.
This marriage was purely for her future prosperity and to secure a good background for her child. Her child would have more choices in the future, and there was even a marquisate title waiting to be inherited; it was a huge profit.
As for a concubine, she did not take her seriously nor would she mistreat her. When the time came, she would find a good family for her, and the marquisate’s money would be used to prepare a dowry.
Not long after the wedding, she became pregnant and gave birth to a chubby boy the following year. Miss Xiao was ruthless; she secretly gave Shen Yici a birth control potion, thus solidifying her and her son's positions.
...
Zhao Xiaowei dissipated after seeing that his mother and sister were living well. He entrusted everything to Jun Jiuli.
He was afraid that what he did upon his return would not be as good as Jun Jiuli's, and he feared his mother and sister would be disappointed. As long as he knew they were well, he would be content.
In the blink of an eye, they reached a plot point in the story. Shen Yici lay on a hillside, covered in blood.
Zhao Jiaojiao, upon discovering him, quickly told Zhao Dawei to check on him. Her eyes gleamed as she stared at the jade pendant on Shen Yici's waist. She begged Zhao Dawei to bring the man home, directly placing him on her own bed.
Old Man Zhao knew some herbal medicine and bandaged Shen Yici. After forcing two bowls of medicine down him, he dared not move him, only letting him lie on Zhao Jiaojiao's bed.
In the previous life, Zhao Jiaojiao had quite a bit of spare money and hired a good doctor for Shen Yici. This time, she could only rely on Old Man Zhao's crude bandaging. Shen Yici was definitely going to have some lingering issues.
Old Man Zhao told Zhao Jiaojiao to go rest with Xiao Chun and the others, but Zhao Jiaojiao refused to budge. She insisted on staying to watch over him. Old Man Zhao and Old Woman Zhao were helpless against her. Fearing any mishaps, they could only take turns watching him.
However, it was still the busy farming season, and there were times when they couldn't keep an eye on them. The two, as if deeply in love, were caught by Jun Jiuli leading the entire family to expose their illicit affair.
"Uncle Zhao, Aunt Zhao. I am sincere towards Jiaojiao. After I recover and finish my business in the capital, I will definitely return to marry her."
Although he spoke kindly, his back was straight, and his tone was resolute, leaving no room for objection. It seemed he looked down on such country folk.
Old Man Zhao and Old Woman Zhao were so angry they couldn't speak. They felt their cherished little cabbage had been wronged. If he were a good man who truly cared for Jiaojiao, his manners would not be so frivolous.
Zhao Jiaojiao quickly rushed forward, "Father, Mother. I will only marry Brother Yici in this lifetime. He understands me better than those common men before."
"Little aunt, didn't you even ask if he was married?"
"This… this should be…"
Zhao Jiaojiao's brain finally caught up. She turned to Shen Yici with confusion.
"Jiaojiao, although I have a wife at home, I am sincere towards you. I feel no love for her. I will explain everything to her when I return. I will divorce her and welcome you into my home grandly."
Old Woman Zhao: "Scoundrel, you say it so easily. You are just deceiving ignorant Jiaojiao. I do not agree."
"Mother, please fulfill Jiaojiao's wish. Jiaojiao wants to make a decision about her own life. No matter what happens in the future, she will never blame Father and Mother."
"You are trying to anger me to death! What's so good about him? He can only speak sweet words. You will suffer after following him."
"I won't suffer. As long as I can be with Brother Yici, I can endure any hardship. Even if I am a concubine, I am willing."
"Jiaojiao, don't worry. You are so devoted; I will definitely not fail you. I will never let you be a concubine; you are the wife of me, Shen Yici."
No matter how Old Man Zhao and Old Woman Zhao persuaded her, it was useless. Zhao Jiaojiao packed her belongings and eloped with Shen Yici overnight.
Old Woman Zhao and the others were dejected for a long time. Their good daughter was now as good as gone. Being so far away, they didn't know when they would see her again and wept themselves to sleep every night.
Miss Xiao's position was as stable as a mountain. The first hurdle Zhao Jiaojiao faced was given by Madam Xuanping Marquisate.
Looking at this menace who caused her son to be disliked, Madam Xuanping Marquisate gnashed her teeth in hatred.
Shen Yici inherited his father's title and spent his days dealing with his brothers. At home, he was caught between his mother and his lover, listening to Zhao Jiaojiao's complaints about Madam Xuanping Marquisate.
At first, he could offer a few words of comfort, but later he just felt annoyed. Zhao Jiaojiao also began to ask him daily when he would divorce his wife, and Shen Yici simply neglected her for a long period.
Zhao Jiaojiao wept tears every day and began to miss her family again. But now she was a concubine of Xuanping Marquis, and she had no freedom to do anything she wanted. Shui Wa directly treated their affairs as after-dinner entertainment.
Shen Yici's wife in the previous life had been released from her sorrow after a short while. She married into a family that was slightly less influential than hers.
Now, with a pair of lovely children and a loving marriage, although she didn't ask for a lifelong monogamous relationship, her husband had her in his heart and never took a concubine throughout his life.
Over the years, many people had come to propose marriage to Xiao Chun and Xiao Hong, but they both had their own plans. Jun Jiuli only needed to assess the character of the suitors and prepare their dowries.
Xiao Hong had tried writing storybooks over the years, and Xiao Chun's embroidery skills had become increasingly exquisite. Both sisters had earned a considerable amount of money.
Xiao Hong eventually married a like-minded scholar, and Xiao Chun married the son of her master. Jun Jiuli spent money to buy twenty mu of land, with a separate dowry prepared.
The grand scene of the sisters' weddings and their generous dowries were unlike anything the villagers had ever seen. This land could not be put under the names of the sisters, so Jun Jiuli registered it under his own name.
He rented it out to others to farm, and the sisters collected the proceeds. He himself did not marry, and when they had sons, the land could be registered in their sons' names.
Old Man Zhao and Old Woman Zhao lived to over eighty without any illness or pain, always missing their Jiaojiao. After their deaths, all matters were handled by Jun Jiuli.
Xu Dahua initially urged Jun Jiuli to get married, but after holding her grandson, she was relieved. After Jun Jiuli sent her off, he left this plane.