SFT 01

Chapter 1

Her heart felt utterly cold, yet at the same time filled with boundless fury. But the excellent upbringing she had received since childhood still allowed her to keep a calm expression.

Raising her phoenix-like eyes slightly, she gently stroked the green jade thumb ring on her finger and said indifferently, “Have you made up your mind, husband?”

Jiang Zhixiu replied in a deep voice, “I have.”

He Fangting’s tone turned cold. “I do not agree.”

Her husband, Jiang Zhixiu, served as the Right Vice Minister of Revenue in the imperial court. Three months ago, he had been ordered to oversee disaster relief, and only yesterday had he finally returned home amid the eager anticipation of his family.

After such a long separation, she had missed him somewhat herself. Delighted, she had brought their children to welcome him home. Yet Jiang Zhixiu helped a woman out of the carriage instead.

Her name was Xie Meiying.

He said she was a renowned physician from Huainan who had fearlessly treated disaster victims through great hardship and rendered outstanding service. Even the Emperor had personally issued a decree praising her benevolent heart and superb medical skill.

Female physicians were already rare; female physicians capable of attracting imperial recognition were rarer still. He Fangting had greatly admired her and intended to entertain her generously.

Who would have thought Jiang Zhixiu would then say that he admired Xie Meiying’s character and talent, and wished to “carry on both family lines” by marrying her in place of his deceased elder brother.

How laughable.

Jiang family’s so-called elder brother had died at the age of three before even entering the family genealogy. For so many years no one had ever mentioned him, yet now suddenly they wanted him to continue the family line.

Just so Xie Meiying could become the legal wife, Jiang Zhixiu had truly gone to extraordinary lengths. His love for her seemed as deep as the sea.

The young man who used to blush whenever he saw her had, in the end, fallen for someone else. After finishing his report at court and completing his official duties, he had rushed home impatiently to persuade her.

Jiang Zhixiu frowned slightly. “I know you’re unhappy. But Meiying has suffered greatly…”

He Fangting cut him off. “Were Miss Xie’s sufferings caused by me?”

Jiang Zhixiu opened his mouth, then answered, “No.”

He Fangting pressed again, “Since they were not, why should I bear the consequences?”

Disappointment flickered in Jiang Zhixiu’s eyes as he looked at her. “How is this a consequence? It is clearly a perfect solution that benefits everyone! Fangting, you are a daughter-in-law of the Jiang family. You should think for the sake of the Jiang family.”

He Fangting almost laughed from anger. “Have I not already thought enough for your Jiang family? Bearing children, raising them, serving my husband, teaching the children, managing the household, handling social obligations, maintaining official relationships, taking care of the clan—what have I failed to do?”

She had married into the Jiang family at sixteen. Eighteen years had passed since then.

During those eighteen years, she had devoted herself wholeheartedly—serving her parents-in-law with filial piety, treating her younger siblings-in-law with kindness, and caring generously for the Jiang clan relatives as well.

Under her management, the Jiang clan in their Shannan hometown had gradually gained prominence. They had acquired ancestral lands, established a clan school, and given enough time, they might even become a powerful local family.

Jiang Zhixiu was busy with official affairs and only occasionally inquired about these matters. She was the one who had accomplished them all.

And accomplishing things required money.

Jiang Zhixiu came from poverty and had climbed his way up step by step from the Hanlin Academy. His salary barely covered household expenses, and even that required frugality. It was her dowry money that had constantly filled the gaps.

Yet now he was implying that she had somehow failed the Jiang family.

There could not possibly be anything more ridiculous in this world.

Jiang Zhixiu grew somewhat impatient and said coldly, “Which family’s matron does not do such things? Mere tedious household chores—are they really worth bringing up? The real reason you refuse is simply because you fear Meiying entering the household and taking away your authority over the estate. Rest assured, Meiying is not like you. The things she cares about have never been limited to a woman’s small domain within the inner household. She has her own ambitions. She will not compete with you.”

Only after meeting Xie Meiying had he realized that such a remarkable woman could exist in this world—kindhearted, independent, resilient. She appeared delicate, yet she was unyielding despite countless hardships.

The recent flood disaster in Huainan had been caused by local officials cutting corners during the construction of a dam, leading to its collapse and devastating several counties.

By chance, Meiying had obtained letters proving collusion among several corrupt officials. No matter how they threatened or bribed her, she refused to hand them over. Instead, she dealt with them cleverly and ultimately delivered the letters into the hands of Jiang Zhixiu, the imperial commissioner.

Those letters became the key evidence used to convict the corrupt officials.

Later, she fell ill from exhaustion, yet still dragged her sick body around treating disaster victims. Her frail figure seemed to glow with light itself—vivid, spirited, dazzling.

The moment she collapsed unconscious in his arms, he knew he could not live without her for the rest of his life.

He Fangting, raised amidst luxury and splendor, knew nothing of the hardships of common people. She possessed beauty but no depth. Normally she seemed acceptable enough, but compared to Meiying, she appeared pale and dull.

He was not a heartless man. He Fangting had been married into the Jiang family for over ten years; if not for merit, then at least for hard work. He absolutely would not divorce her.

But how could he allow the proud and noble Meiying to become a mere concubine? That was why he had painstakingly devised the plan of “carrying on both family lines.”

Meiying herself had also said that she did not wish to be trapped within the inner household. Even after marrying him, she still wanted to continue practicing medicine and helping the world as before. He fully supported her.

Such broad-mindedness, far beyond ordinary women, was something He Fangting would never understand.

Nor did she need to understand it.

He Fangting took a deep breath, trying to restrain herself. But there was a limit to patience. Grabbing the teacup on the table, she hurled it at Jiang Zhixiu’s feet.

“Get out!”

All her years of hard work amounted, in his eyes, to nothing more than trivial household chores?

And now he stood before her lavishly praising another woman. Did he think her heart was made of stone, incapable of pain or sorrow?

Jiang Zhixiu also became enraged. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, “He Fangting, I have already treated you with the utmost benevolence and righteousness. Don’t fail to appreciate my kindness! Carrying on both family lines is a major matter for the Jiang family—it is not your place to refuse!”

He Fangting’s brows shot upward. Just as she was about to curse back, the old nursemaid, Madam Kong, cried out:

“Eldest Master! The Eldest Princess has barely been laid to rest, and already you seek to bully our Princess Consort? Her Highness is watching from heaven!”