Chapter 1

elping you, even using my dowry to help manage your finances. I've also gone to ask your uncle and cousin for help with your business affairs."I will still bear the curses of your mother, for without...In the winter of the 20th year of Xuande's reign, at the Su family's inner residence.

Su Qingyu's face was pale and haggard, she beat hard on the locked door.

Three days ago, my grandmother fell ill. I went back home to visit her. As soon as I stepped into the room where I used to live before I got married, I was locked inside.

She hasn't eaten or drunk anything for these three days. It's winter again, and her body can't take it anymore.

Su Qingyu's heart rose with a hint of unease.

"Bang."

A crisp click of a lock followed by the slow creaking open of the door surprised Su Qingyu with who walked in.

"Cousin How is it you"

The visitor is Su Qingyu's distant cousin, Cheng Ruijin. Cheng Ruijin's mother is her aunt, and the two have been living with the Su family.

And Cheng Ruijin was still holding a two-year-old child by the hand. She had never seen this child before, and Cheng Ruijin was also unmarried.

But this child's features...are strikingly similar to her husband, Shen Zhao.

"Sister, don't bother. You'll never leave this house for the rest of your life. Our husbands have brought a doctor."

Cheng Ruijin's voice was soft, but her face held a distinct air of triumph. She had waited for this day for far too long, so long that she was almost losing patience.

Su Qingyu coldly looked at Cheng Ruijin, “Husband Who are you calling husband Do you even have any shame Thinking about him is useless, you’ll never be able to marry into the Shen family.”

Even if I die, you can't marry into my family.

The Shen family's prestige is beyond what a lowly criminal's descendant like Cheng Ruijin could ever aspire to. Let alone becoming the main wife, even as a concubine, she wouldn't be qualified.

Cheng Ruijin, hearing this, not only didn't get angry but laughed heartily a few times. Then, gritting his teeth, he said: "I naturally have my way, but in a while, it will be hard on elder sister. Don't scream too loudly."

Su Qingyu's heart sank, and she asked, "What do you want to do"

As soon as the words left his lips, Shen Zhao walked in from outside, followed by a middle-aged man.

The child saw Shen Zhao and ran over, "Daddy hug, daddy hug me."

Even though she had her suspicions, Su Qingyu still felt dizzy for a moment.

"Shen Zhao, didn't you say that you... wouldn't have children Where did this child come from"

She had been married to Shen Zhao for three years without consummating the marriage. Shen Zhao's reason was that he "wasn't capable" on that front. She, alone, bore the pressure from the Shen family and secretly studied pharmacology. Since Shen Zhao didn't even have a concubine, she never suspected anything and instead cared for him everywhere, afraid that he would feel inferior and depressed.

Because she had no children, she was bullied by her mother-in-law and mocked by her sisters-in-law. She endured all of this silently.

Shen Zhao actually had a child with Cheng Ruijin. Su Qingyu's heart felt as if it had been ripped out by a sharp blade, pain radiating throughout her body.

Cheng Ruijin walked step by step to Su Qingyu's front, said in a gloomy voice: "Cousin, he is not incapable, he just can't do it when facing you."

"Apart from being the legitimate daughter of a marquis's household, what makes you superior to me If it weren't for my family's burden, how could I possibly lose to you"

For Cheng Ruijin, her family background was like a thorn embedded in her heart. Fortunately, three years of forbearance had not been in vain.

Su Qingyu looked coldly at Cheng Ruijin and asked, "When did you two start"

Cheng Rujin slightly raised her chin, coquettishly leaning closer to Su Qingyu, and whispered, "You're talking about the first time Let me think, it was at Master Shen's funeral. His elders were discussing taking advantage of filial piety to get you married, but he was in his study with me, making love."

So he's not incapable, he was pretty good with me in bed.

Su Qingyu looked at Shen Zhao in disbelief, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Shen Zhao, how could you do such a thing Look into your heart and tell me, how have I treated you these past few years"

Since Master Shen left, the eldest and second houses have started vying for power. It's me who has been putting all my effort into helping you, even using my dowry to help manage your finances. I've also gone to ask your uncle and cousin for help with your business affairs.

"I will still bear the curses of your mother, for without a child, I have become the sinner of the Shen family."

I'm afraid you overthink things, even considering adopting a child, even if we never consummate our marriage.

"Shen Zhao, you have no heart."

By the end, Su Qingyu was practically shouting at the top of her lungs.

Shen Zhao looked at Su Qingyu with a blank expression, his face cold and hard, only the depths of his eyes rippled.le, it will be hard on elder sister. Don't scream too loudly."Su Qingyu's heart sank, and she asked, "What do you want to do"As soon as the words left his lips, Shen Zhao walked in from outside, follo...