Dressed in Red

They say that when a man takes a new wife, he gets a new father too. Sitting in the inner quarters, Shuyi has come to understand the saying. Looking at the dowry her mother left her and a small redwood box, Shuyi realizes it's time to make plans for herself.

To secure a promising future, her father and stepmother intend to send her to the Minister of Revenue's household as a concubine.

Remembering what she has heard lately, Shuyi scoffs. She's the legitimate daughter of an official, and she could be a proper wife. Why would she become a concubine?!

She takes out her rouge, touches up her makeup, gathers her dowry and belongings, and, accompanied by the matchmakers and witnesses, knocks on the door of a poor scholar's home.

Jiang Linmu opens the door and asks, "Who is it?"

Shuyi blushes and forces herself to answer, "Husband, it's me."

In no time, the story of the county magistrate's daughter eagerly marrying down to a poor young scholar spreads throughout the city.

Everyone laughs at her, eager to see her regret marrying into such a poor household and suffer for her foolishness.

But Shuyi disappoints them all. Not only does she manage fine without the pampered life she was used to, her little household even grows more prosperous by the day.

After they marry, Jiang Linmu rises from a licentiate all the way to First-Rank Minister. Together, they turn the rugged road they have traveled into a smooth highway.

By day, the dignified Minister of Personnel holds forth and earns everyone's admiration.

At night, after taking off his official robes, he sits by a basin, bends down to wash and massage his wife's feet. "My dear, how are my technique and pressure today?"

Shuyi reads a book, holding it in her hands. At his words, she wiggles her pale, tender feet. "Not bad. You should leave this sort of thing to the servants from now on. If anyone sees you like this, they'll say I'm bullying you behind my back again."

Jiang Linmu gives a derisive laugh. "Who? Who said that? We can shut the door and live our own lives. Don't pay any attention to those fools gossiping."

With that, he leans toward her with a teasing smile and pecks her at the corner of her lips. "Rather than spending your time listening to gossip, why don't you show your husband a little more affection...?"

P.S.:

1. The setting is fictional, so no need to nitpick! The historical setting doesn't follow modern laws!

2. No one is perfect. The characters aren't flawless!

3. If you drop the story, please don't tell me. I politely decline writing advice!

4. We're all here to enjoy fictional stories, so please don't spoil everyone's mood. Comments that stir up trouble, distort the plot, use profanity, plagiarize, or attack people will be deleted. The author has a short temper, and if it flares up, I'll clap back.

5. I have two hands that write sweet, silly romances. If that's not your thing, click "x" and read someone else's story. There's no need to leave a comment...

Blurb posted on November 30, 2024, with screenshots as proof.

This unknown author declines any comparisons! My bones are fragile and I bruise easily.

Theme: Make every day better than the last.