Chapter 1 — Catching Them Red-Handed on My Wedding Day

My family was once so impoverished that we possessed only a single set of proper garments. When it was my elder sister’s turn to wear them out to forage for wild greens, she happened to catch the eye of a young marquis who was passing by on a hunt. He had her carried into his grand estate on an eight-bearer palanquin to become his esteemed bride. On the day of her wedding banquet, I attended as a guest. The brooding, taciturn marquis merely cast a single glance in my direction, and by the very next day, sixty-six ceremonial chests laden with betrothal gifts had completely filled our humble thatched cottage.

Upon hearing the news, our former master’s widow—who had spent many long years in mourning while raising her own daughter alone—suddenly arrived at our doorstep. She claimed she wished to adopt me as her foster daughter so that I might leave my old life behind with honor and pride. In my previous life, I had been moved to tears and immediately accepted her proposal. Little did I know that on the day of my grand wedding, the widow and the marquis would fall into the garden pond entirely devoid of clothing. When they were finally hauled ashore, the two of them were still locked in a desperate embrace. The marquis stammered in panic while trying to explain, whereas the widow offered a mournful, tragic smile before attempting to plunge back into the depths to end her life.

Driven by circumstance and desperation, she ultimately took my place as the marchioness, while I was forced to pick up my hoe and trudge back to the village to dig for wild greens once more. A full year later, news reached us from the marquis estate that my sister had perished in a agonizing and difficult childbirth. I rode a donkey through the dead of night to reach her side, only to find the gates of the marquis estate draped in vibrant red silks. The widow’s daughter, overwhelmed with sorrow over the marquis’s grief, had spent the night drinking with him to ease his pain. While attempting to comfort him, she was mistaken by the intoxicated nobleman for my late sister and kept by his side through the night. She soon rose to become the new mistress of the estate.

By the following year, mother and daughter had successively given birth to sons. Ten years later, when we crossed paths once again, both of them were exquisite and pampered beyond measure, whereas life’s unending hardships had battered me until I scarcely resembled a human being. The two of them tossed a single copper coin upon my body with an expression of supreme pity before departing in haughty splendor, surrounded by throngs of servants. I clutched my sister’s spirit tablet to my chest and froze to death in the depths of winter.

When I opened my eyes once more, I had returned precisely to the day the widow expressed her desire to take me as her foster daughter.

Sisters going off to be wed without father or mother to guide them ultimately lacks dignity. Regardless of everything, I am your former master’s widow and hold the place of a half-mother to you. Allow me to send you off to your marriage.

I stepped backward, maintaining a smile that did not reach my eyes.

Many thanks for your concern, revered foster mother, but the matter of sending me off is quite unnecessary.

The moment those words left my lips, the corners of Chu Dieu Am’s eyes instantly flushed crimson.

Lan Nhan, your foster mother merely wishes to see you off, yet you continually push me away. Could it be that you look down upon a widowed woman from the countryside, deeming me unworthy of appearing in such refined company?

She let out a soft, aggrieved sigh.

Now that you are marrying into a prominent noble family, have you truly grown to despise me?

The village elder standing nearby furrowed his brow, casting a gaze of profound displeasure in my direction.

Tam Lan Nhan, your parents passed away when you were young. The late teacher taught you how to read, while your foster mother cooked your meals, mended your tattered garments, and fed you when you were starving. Now that you have achieved fortune and are marrying into an elite household, do you truly scorn your foster mother as unworthy of stepping outside?

He brought his walking staff down against the earth with a heavy thud.

Our Jinxi village will never tolerate such ungrateful and treacherous behavior!

I was nearly amused to the point of rage. While Chu Dieu Am’s late husband had indeed taught my sister and me basic characters for a brief period, he had exacted five silver liang from our impoverished family as an enrollment fee. Moreover, he frequently complained that having female pupils would sulkle his reputation, refusing to instruct us any further after merely reciting a few lines from the Classic of Three Characters. As for Chu Dieu Am, she had repeatedly used the pretext of her status as the master’s wife to plunder our meager belongings. Once my parents passed away, she immediately severed all ties with us orphans. Yet now, she had the sheer audacity to speak of gratitude.

The villagers crowded around, shouting from all directions.

Indeed! The master’s widow has maintained her chastity for ten years, and the imperial court even bestowed an arch of virtue upon her. Her willingness to send you off is a supreme honor; do not fail to appreciate kindness when it is offered!

If you refuse even your foster mother, then our entire village shall disown you as well!

Quite right! We shall strike your name from the village lineage and cast you out as a wandering spirit with no ancestral roots!

Chu Dieu Am curved her lips into a gentle, triumphant smile.

Village elder, do not scold the child further. Lan Nhan is still young and lacks understanding. In any case, I consider myself half a mother to her; how could I possibly bear a grudge against her?

She sighed again, adding softly:

Once we meet the marquis, as her maternal figure, I shall certainly urge him to bestow greater favor upon our village.

Instantly, every single face in the crowd blossomed with bright, greedy smiles.

Lan Nhan, did you hear that? How deeply your foster mother thinks of you!

Indeed, the boundless generosity of the master’s widow truly befits the wife of a scholar.

When the time comes, we must ask the marquis to renovate our dwellings and pave the roads. Without us, how could Tam Lan Nhan have ever grown to this age?

Quite so! The wild greens upon the mountain do not belong to her; by what right did she forage them without our permission? She must forever remember the grace we have shown her!

Chu Dieu Am stood in the center of the throng, the smugness in her eyes impossible to conceal. Doubtless, she believed that with matters phrased thus, I would never dare to refuse.

I offered a faint, tranquil smile and spoke clearly:

Over the past few years, my foster mother has strictly guarded her virtue, refusing to venture anywhere with the slightest crowd, and keeping ten paces away from any strange man. Such pristine reputation—which household within ten li does not hold it in deep reverence?

Yet precisely because of that, a widow like yourself intends to wander back and forth during the days surrounding my wedding. Those who know the truth will call it a farewell, but those ignorant of the situation might mistake it for a lonely woman pining for a wild man.

Chu Dieu Am’s expression instantly froze. I fixed my gaze upon her, lowering my tone.

If the chastity arch bestowed by the imperial court were to be tarnished, I fear our entire village would be subjected to the contempt of the world.

In an instant, the clamorous villagers fell into an absolute silence. The village elder hesitated.

A widow’s doorstep is naturally prone to idle gossip. What if rumors were to spread…

I stepped forward.

The village elder may set his mind at ease.

I, Tam Lan Nhan, upon becoming the marchioness, shall never forget Jinxi village. Once I assume management of the estate, the very first task I undertake shall be the paving of roads for our village.

The elder’s eyes instantly lit up, an irrepressible grin spreading across his face.

Good, good! Lan Nhan is truly a sensible child!

Since that is settled, we need not speak further of sending the bride off.

The smile upon Chu Dieu Am’s face vanished piece by piece until it was entirely gone. She stared at me with venomous intensity before finally letting out a cold, sharp laugh.

Lan Nhan has truly matured and acquired her own secret ambitions.

Early the following morning, the luxurious carriages of the marquis estate arrived at the edge of the village. An elderly matron, her face wreathed in smiling wrinkles, announced that the marquis requested Miss Tam’s presence at the estate to discuss the final arrangements for the wedding. The moment I arrived at the marquis residence, a commotion erupted near the entrance. Chu Dieu Am skirted across the threshold, her face wearing a veneer of reproachful amusement:

Lan Nhan, you ungrateful child, why did you rush here by yourself instead of waiting for your foster mother?

Before I could react, she offered a knowing smile.

Were you perhaps terrified that I might recount your former background to the household?

With those words, she strode past me to address the marquis, Lu Mo, who sat in repose, offering a graceful bow.

This child Lan Nhan has lived a bitter life. Having neither father nor mother since youth, she had to follow the young, robust men of the village up the mountainside to forage for greens and scrape together a living. Each time she returned, she was drenched in sweat with her garments in complete disarray.

As a woman, the sight truly wrung my heart with pity.

Upon the high seat, the composed and taciturn Lu Mo slightly furrowed his brow. I abruptly stood up:

What utter nonsense are you spouting?

Chu Dieu Am let out a mocking chuckle.

What nonsense? I am your foster mother; could I possibly wish you harm?

I merely desire the marquis to understand the hardships you endured so he might cherish you all the more.

She turned her attention back to the master of the house.

There were times when Lan Nhan descended the mountain accompanied by a single fellow, times with two, and occasionally even three or four.

In such matters, this child possesses truly extraordinary innate talents.

She paused, her tone growing exceedingly gentle and mild.

Now that the marquis has spent sixty-six chests of betrothal gifts to wed her, I simply wonder if she is truly worth such a price.

These words were thoroughly vile. Every single sentence struck precisely at the tender spots where an unwed maiden could never afford to be touched. Yet, I found myself utterly devoid of a counterargument. Having starved to the point of consuming raw weeds merely to survive, how could I have spared a thought for the separation of men and women? Accompanying the village men up the mountain had indeed been a frequent occurrence. Rage caused my entire frame to tremble.

At that exact moment, a steady hand reached out to grasp mine. Lu Mo did not look at me; his voice remained flat and detached.

Whatever Miss Tam’s past may have been, I care nothing for it. So long as she is willing to marry me today, that is enough.

The smile at the corners of Chu Dieu Am’s mouth instantly stiffened. Doubtless, she had never imagined that after hearing such sordid accusations, a man would respond in such a fashion.

That the marquis refuses to mind such matters is Lan Nhan’s boundless fortune.

She paused once more, an expression of profound difficulty crossing her features.

There is merely one more affair. Originally, I ought not to speak of it, but if I remain silent, my conscience shall not rest.

She shot me a glance, feigning the struggle of a final, agonizing moral choice before hardening her resolve:

When she was young, Lan Nhan fell into an icy pit, suffering severe damage to her fundamental constitution. The physician personally declared… that her path to bearing children will likely prove exceedingly arduous.

I only hope the marquis will not despise her. When the time arrives, should the vast family estate fall into the hands of outsiders, it will be a natural consequence.

Lu Mo did not even bother to raise his head.

Then we shall adopt an heir from a collateral branch.

The expression upon Chu Dieu Am’s face warped into absolute distortion.

Foster mother is fatigued; she should withdraw to rest first.

I flicked my sleeve, gesturing for the servants to escort her away. Chu Dieu Am attempted to resist, but the moment she met Lu Mo’s dark, fathomless gaze, she instinctively shrank back in terror. I instructed in a low voice:

Lock the courtyard gates from the outside. Foster mother is weary and requires a thorough rest.

Since she was determined to follow me into the marquis estate, she could hardly blame me for lacking hospitality. The matron was startled for a fraction of a moment, but noting that my expression brooked no argument, she hurriedly lowered her head and obeyed.

I turned my gaze back to Lu Mo.

Marquis, regarding this marriage, I have only a single condition.

I stared directly into his eyes, articulating each word with deliberate slowness:

On our wedding day, you must not consume a single drop of wine.

Lu Mo did not hesitate for even an instant, nodding directly.

Very well.

I was taken aback.

Did you not even care to ask why?

Since you have made the request, you must have your reasons.

He lowered his gaze, his tone remaining as detached as ever, though the tips of his ears had flushed to a deep, bleeding crimson.

It is enough that I agree to your terms.

Gazing upon his face, the boulder that had crushed my chest for the entirety of my past life finally loosened its suffocating grip. In my previous life, it was precisely because he had been heavily intoxicated that, after being pulled from the pond, he could recall nothing of what transpired. Confronted by the accusations of the crowd, he could not utter a single word in defense, forced to swallow an unspeakable grievance.

On our wedding day, the marquis estate was festooned with brilliant lanterns and red silks. We paid homage to heaven and earth, feasted the guests, and served the ceremonial tea. Everything proceeded in orderly succession.

As I was finally led into the bridal chamber, I clutched the hand of the elderly matron.

How goes it with my foster mother?

The marchioness may set her mind at ease. That woman is still hammering frantically against the doors and windows within, screaming to be let out. The guards maintain a tight watch; not even a stray fly could slip inside.

I let out a long breath of relief. In my previous life, it was precisely at this hour that I entered the bridal chamber, while Chu Dieu Am and Lu Mo were found entangled before the eyes of all, their garments entirely inadequate for modesty.