Spring Deepens, but Su Lang Cannot Cross

Qiu Hui, a merchant's daughter with a vast dowry, marries Su Yuntan, a concubine-born son of the Su family. She gives everything she has to help him pass the palace exam as third-place laureate and rise through the ranks.

Each time he gets promoted, someone helps pave the way. Each time, that person demands a favor in return. He starts using her money to repay favors, using her shops to make connections, and relying on her relationships to get things done.

She advises him once, he agrees, then turns around and carries on as before.

Until he decides to marry the censor's nephew's daughter as a secondary wife, saying, "Your dowry will belong to the family, and from now on, you can handle my official social engagements."

She finishes tallying her final account and closes the ledger. "Fine. You marry whoever you like, and I'll move out with the two children."

The four shops, the two children, and the house are all things she earned for herself.

He is promoted to deputy commissioner and appointed prefect, rising higher at every step.

She moves into a new home, keeps her shops open, and continues raising the children.

When he writes to borrow money for greasing the wheels, she sends back one line:

"You can climb the ranks while I run my shops. If you use my money to grease the wheels, then when you get that office, will it be you holding the post or me?"