My Wife and I Aren't Close

Xue Wanyu was married off to the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence in the capital. On the third day after their wedding, the border was under threat, and her husband went to war without hesitation. Before leaving, he even took one of her undergarments. Three months passed without a word from him. The newlywed bride, far from home, was mistreated at the residence. Xue Wanyu refused to put up with it. She kept her pregnancy a secret, took her dowry, and left without looking back. After nine months of pregnancy, she gave birth to a fair, soft-cheeked daughter. She gave the little girl her own surname and raised her to be a chubby four-year-old, when the child began pestering her for a father. She sent a letter of divorce to the capital, pinched her daughter's little cheek, and took her out to find a man. The little girl pointed at a tall, handsome man riding a chestnut horse. "Mother, I want him to be my father." While her daughter wasn't looking, she secretly made a deal with the man: one thousand taels to pretend to be her daughter's father. * Xie Yanchuan endured five years at the border. On sleepless nights, he had to hold that undergarment to fall asleep. At last, the rebellion was quelled. He returned to the capital with the undergarment, worn almost beyond recognition, tucked away on him. But his new wife had already left. His mother held the letter of divorce she'd sent, beaming as she began arranging a new marriage for him. He took the divorce letter and went to Qingzhou. On a bustling street, she called out to him shyly and asked whether he would pretend to be her daughter's father. Xie Yanchuan narrowed his eyes. "Very good. It's only been five years, and you've already forgotten all about me, have you?" [Synopsis archived on Weibo on June 21, 2024. Feel free to add it to your collection.] *-*-*-*-*- Divider line -*-*-*-*-* Coming next: A Mistaken Marriage with My Eldest Sister The eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue's household, Shen Yunshu, was promised in marriage to Pei Huaijin, the eldest legitimate grandson of the Grand Tutor's household. One was graceful and refined, the other steady and reserved. They made a perfect match. Shen Youran, her younger sister, was happy for her, but secretly relieved as well. Her eldest sister, who treated her like a daughter, was finally getting married. No one would make her read, practice calligraphy, play the zither, and paint every day anymore. But Pei Huaijin had a younger brother named Pei Huaian. He was a bit of a wastrel, but was a good person and handsome, too. After making inquiries, her eldest sister decided he was a perfect match for Shen Youran, who was lazy but beautiful, and arranged for her to marry him as well. The sisters were to become sisters-in-law, and their weddings were on the same day. Their wedding gowns and dowries were almost identical. With a red veil over her head and a pout on her face, Shen Youran followed her sister into the Grand Tutor's residence. Luckily, her groom was just as her eldest sister had described: handsome and dignified, with the clear, tranquil bearing of pine trees in the wind and moonlight over water. Shen Youran closed her eyes and let him press her into the crimson quilt. Suddenly, someone pounded on the door. The people outside shouted anxiously, "There's been a mistake! The wrong bride was sent in!" Shen Youran's eyes flew open. Trembling, she called out, "Young Master Pei...?" The man above her flinched, his clear eyes trembling. "Third Miss Shen...?" Theme: No matter how rugged the road ahead, we must forge through every obstacle and press on!