A Sparrow in a Cage

She devoted her life to the marquis's household, working tirelessly until she was gravely ill before the age of forty. Her husband doted on his concubine and neglected his wife, wishing she would die soon so his beloved could take her place. The younger sister-in-law she had raised from childhood accused her of being too strict, saying that the concubine was the one who deserved to be her sister-in-law. Her husband's concubine wrapped her in a straw mat and dumped her in the back courtyard. Only after her body began to stink was she burned and thrown in the hills behind the estate. Reborn into a second life, she decided to live as she pleased. The Marquis came to consummate their marriage against his will, and Fu Hewan's thoughts spilled out: That concubine said the Marquis can't last even the time it takes to burn one incense stick. How dare he come here to consummate our marriage? The next day, the concubine who had once been favored was sent to the most remote Buddhist shrine as punishment. Her young sister-in-law didn't want to study, and Fu Hewan's thoughts spilled out: I won't force her to study anymore. Her mother has already arranged a marriage for her with a wastrel, and she thinks the girl is too knowledgeable and might resist the match. The next day, the young lady of the Marquis's household, who had never studied before, began applying herself to her books. The brilliant and peerless power minister of the current dynasty was still diligently teaching the young emperor the art of war. Kneeling below him, Fu Hewan thought: He's actually a pretty good person. The young emperor will have him executed in ten years, yet he's treating him with such sincerity. The power minister: ??? The power minister asked for Fu Hewan's hand in marriage, and her thoughts spilled out: He only has ten years left to live. Am I supposed to marry him and get my head chopped off too? The power minister: No one's getting their head chopped off. Let's have a child to inherit the throne!