After My Scumbag Husband Took a Second Wife for His Brother, I Married Up

Ji Zhen was the wealthy orphaned daughter of a merchant, living in a Song household where everyone wanted to seize her inheritance. She resolutely chose the impoverished top scholar, who had come to stay with the Songs. After they married, she used every connection and every bit of her dowry to support her husband, sparing no effort. But once he had made his name, he brought a frail young woman back from his hometown, claiming she was the betrothed of his late eldest brother, who had remained unmarried for eight years to honor his memory. He said, “Yiniang is chaste and virtuous. As my late eldest brother’s younger brother, it’s only right that I shoulder the responsibility of carrying on both family lines and marry her, so I can provide for her.” When Ji Zhen refused, he flew into a rage. “You schemed to marry me using despicable methods. I can petition the emperor to divorce you right now!” Later, Song Jian, heir to the Song family, stroked Ji Zhen’s slightly rounded belly and gave her a sidelong glance. “If you still refuse to divorce me, do you want my child to call him Father?”