The Leisurely Life of a Salty-Fish Widow

Du Tiantian transmigrates into a large ancient family with four generations under one roof, comparable to the Rongguo House in Dream of the Red Chamber. Her father-in-law, a prefect posted in another city, has four wives alone! The household is hardly an ideal place, but Du Tiantian isn't afraid. Besides a son and property, she also has a protective charm. She's a widow with powerful connections! As long as she maintains her devoted-wife persona and occasionally "remembers" her "husband," Ning Zhongqing, who supposedly drowned on his way to take the imperial exam, no one in the family dares to bother her. Being a widow is great, being a widow is wonderful. A widow has no husband, but still gets a generous salary. She can entertain the children in her free time and find some peace when work gets busy. What a wonderful life! After falling into the water and being rescued, Ning Zhongqing returns as a high-ranking official. (Smiling) "My dear, I hear you fell deeply in love with me after knowing me for less than three days, and have never stopped thinking of me?" Du Tiantian (awkwardly): "Y-yes..." Question: My dead husband has come back. How am I supposed to keep being a widow? Please answer quickly! PS: 1. One-on-one romance; the male lead appears relatively late. 2. The heroine will not have any more children. 3. Alternate history, so please don't nitpick the details. Theme: Strive to live.