Everyone in Shangjing knew that Xue Huaitao had begged on her knees for her marriage to Zhao Chengan.
Huaitao was from Qingzhou. Her family had been merchants for generations, and they had once been fairly prosperous.
But five years ago, disaster struck. Her father and brothers were killed by bandits in the mountains, and her mother followed them in death, overcome with grief.
Huaitao had wanted to keep the family business afloat, but her aunt and uncle, who had once treated her like their own daughter, showed their true colors. They seized the business and, to eliminate any future trouble, planned to sell her to a brothel.
Seeking protection, she had no choice but to take the old marriage contract and go to the Zhao residence.
The years Xue Huaitao spent in the Zhao residence were miserable.
It wasn't just that Mother Zhao made things difficult for her at every turn. Her sister-in-law never showed her any respect, and even the maids in the household looked down on her.
Zhao Chengan disliked her even more.
A merchant's daughter, reeking of money, he thought. Of course she was calculating. She could even use her own marriage as a bargaining chip to demand repayment for a favor.
But now that she was his wife, no matter how much he disliked her, he ought to at least show her some respect.
In their three years of marriage, they had managed to live in relative peace.
Sometimes he saw her sewing clothes for him, stitch by stitch, staying up all night to prepare ginger soup for him, or standing by his side day after day when he was seriously ill from poisoning.
Zhao Chengan couldn't help thinking that, selfish and calculating as she might be, she was at least sincere in her feelings for him.
Living like this wasn't so bad.
But then, one day, beneath cascading wisteria blossoms, he saw with his own eyes his wife, who had always had eyes only for him, press a handful of silver into the hands of a handsome, refined man and whisper, "Hurry and leave. Don't let him see you."
Theme: No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, keep striving for a better life
