Lin Qing takes in an amnesiac scholar as a hired hand, providing him with food and lodging and having him teach, keep the books, and look after the children. The scholar never complains, and even uses his writing fees to buy her flowers to wear. Everyone in the village says she’s struck gold.
That is, until the county magistrate arrives in the fields with a high-ranking official dressed in fine brocade and drops to his knees before the scholar, who is bent over planting rice. The scholar straightens up, wipes his hands, and pulls the stunned Lin Qing to his side. He says calmly to the official, “This is my wife. I owe it to her that I had a place to stay after I was stranded here.”
Later, in the Golden Throne Hall, the new emperor tries to arrange a marriage between the young chief minister and a princess. Shen Yan refuses him in court and presents his household registration document. “Your servant already has a wife. Her name is Lin Qing. She married me when I had nothing, and I will never betray her.”
