In the second year of the Longqing reign, Zhu Xuanqi, Prince of Shu, was gravely ill. To bring him good fortune, he needed to marry a woman with an extraordinary fate. Shi Yunshu, a military household's daughter, signed up with several of her sisters, enticed by the generous betrothal gifts. After all, her family could barely afford to eat, and the betrothal gifts were a fortune. If the prince died, she could inherit his vast estate. Being a widow wouldn't be so bad.
Half a month later, a wedding procession laden with red silks dazzled all of Chengdu Prefecture. On her wedding night, gazing at the handsome man, as elegant as moonlight on a clear night, Shi Yunshu could hardly believe she had truly become the Princess of Shu...
Even more unbelievable was what she discovered when she arrived with several sisters who were meant to become maids. The Prince of Shu's residence was nothing like she had imagined.
Hadn't they said the prince was at death's door? Then how could he turn into a ravenous wolf at night, seemingly tireless even compared to her, a woman who wielded swords and staffs?
Watching the insolent servants walk all over their master, and her stepmother wait for a chance to sneer at her, she finally understood. She hadn't come here to be a princess consort. She had come to save the day.
The sickly prince couldn't manage the household. His principal wife and concubines each had their own schemes, while the servants simply followed whoever was in power. The sprawling Prince of Shu's residence looked full of gold and jade, but inside it had long since rotted to the core.
On the first day after the wedding, she had the thieving steward beaten twenty times.
On the second, she humiliated the concubine who had been stirring up trouble.
On the third, she simply carried a chair into the main hall and sat down, dealing with each offender as they came.
The whole household was soon wailing, "Princess Consort, I was wrong!"
Shi Yunshu sneered. "Too late."
From his sickbed, Zhu Xuanqi watched her march away, full of authority. He silently swallowed the words "Please calm down, Princess Consort," though the corners of his mouth rose of their own accord.
A month later, as his health steadily improved, he realized that the fierce woman who had married him to bring him good fortune seemed more effective than any miraculous medicine.
Zhu Xuanqi understood: So what if I'm a prince? Being a henpecked husband isn't so bad!
Theme: A man who mistreats his wife will never prosper, while a man who loves his wife will flourish!
