Niece-in-law by proxy marriage & abstinent uncle
In her past life, Yu Jianshu married into the Fu family in place of her elder sister and became a widow. In the end, she was betrayed and met a tragic end.
Reborn, she has money and beauty, and her dead husband hasn't risen from the grave and returned home yet.
Yu Jianshu decides that in this life, she'll keep her head down and live well, doing her best to improve her quality of life in the Fu household.
Her first step is to get close to her elders. If they appreciate her filial piety, perhaps they might even help her find out about promising unmarried young men outside the household.
After all, the Fu family promised to find her another husband once the mourning period is over.
But the mourning period is over. Why won't her uncle let her go?
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Fu Yizhou is the military governor of Huainan Circuit, a man of high rank and power, renowned above all for his self-discipline, propriety, and clear conscience. He had brought the Yu girl into the household on behalf of his recently deceased nephew. He hadn't expected her to cling to him every day after she arrived, so he thought he'd give her a lesson in proper conduct between relatives.
Before he could say a word, he saw her eyes fill with tears, her gaze utterly sincere. "Don't worry, Uncle. I'll treat you with the filial devotion I'd show my own elder!"
As if afraid he wouldn't believe she'd care for him in his old age and see him to his grave, she solemnly tugged at his sleeve and nodded firmly.
He watched her meet men from outside the household, laughing and chatting, radiant as a rose. He watched her look at him with bright, limpid eyes and ask, "Uncle, the mourning period is over. When can I get a divorce?"
Fu Yizhou's expression stiffened slightly. He lowered his eyes and, as if possessed, said,
"I won't allow it."
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Reader's guide:
1. The male lead is an abstinent gentleman.
2. The setting is very loosely based on history, so don't scrutinize the details.
3. Blurb written in May 2022.
4. Cover art by Guixin Dian and Xianyu.
Theme: Keep striving through life and never give up hope.
