In her previous life, on the Golden Throne Hall, Xie Jingheng requested two imperial marriage edicts after winning a military honor. One betrothed him to her, a promise; the other to his cousin, an obligation.
Bai Ranqing was dutiful. To repay the marquis's wife for raising her for ten years, and to honor the deep affection she shared with the man she loved, she married into the marquis's household and became the heir's wife.
With his words, "Qingqing, I love only you," Bai Ranqing married him willingly.
True feelings changed in an instant. The cinnabar mole in his heart became a mosquito's blood. For eighteen long years, she remained childless and lived a lonely, bleak life, while he had descendants aplenty and a happy household.
At thirty-three, Bai Ranqing died of overwork, and no one even came to claim her body.
Heaven took pity on her, and Bai Ranqing was reborn eighteen years in the past, three days before her former husband, Xie Jingheng, asked the emperor to arrange their marriage.
She refused to marry the heir and planned instead to wed the spirit tablet of the marquis's good-for-nothing eldest legitimate son, becoming Xie Xuanzhou's widow. All she wanted was wealth, freedom, and a peaceful death in old age.
Unfortunately, Madam Qin would not allow it. She insisted Bai Ranqing become the heir's wife and, to put an end to her hopes, even arranged another spirit marriage for Xie Xuanzhou.
As the legitimate eldest son and the marquis's lady of the house battled wits, Bai Ranqing watched in silence.
Unskilled in schemes, she suddenly realized that she and the unruly young master were in much the same predicament. She quietly picked up her brush to study, and before she knew it, she had learned to scheme as well as anyone.
One day, after regaining her freedom, Bai Ranqing saw her former husband's elder brother's peerlessly beautiful face, and, for some reason, her heart leaped. At last, she had found someone who could give her a son and a daughter.
But why was this husband of hers so obedient?
When she accidentally learned the truth, Bai Ranqing finally understood. "Tsk. Elder brother, you've hidden your feelings awfully well."
