The Story of a Laid-back Concubine’s Daughter Who Became a Marquis’s Second Wife

In the fifth year of the Jiahe era, Liu Qingyu, the Shizi Furen of the prestigious Yongning Hou Estate, endured a difficult breech labor that resulted in the birth of a son, Jiang Haoxuan. Despite the joyous occasion, Qingyu suffered a severe postpartum hemorrhage and passed away shortly after delivery. Before her death, she extracted a promise from her mother-in-law, the Hou Furen, that her husband Jiang Yueheng would remarry a daughter from the Liu family to ensure her son would be cared for by relatives. The Liu family, led by Zhang Shi, agreed to this arrangement to maintain their alliance with the powerful marquis estate.

Liu Qingwu, the sixteen-year-old Third Miss of the Liu family, was a transmigrator who had spent her new life living quietly and comfortably. Unlike her ambitious half-sister Liu Qinghuan, Qingwu had no desire for political intrigue or high status. However, when the marriage proposal arrived, her mother offered her a substantial dowry, including ten thousand taels of silver and valuable heirlooms, to secure the match. Motivated by the financial benefits and the prospect of a stable life, Qingwu accepted the proposal without hesitation. She met with Jiang Yueheng prior to the wedding at a restaurant, where she observed his cold and reserved demeanor. Their conversation was brief and transactional, focused on her duty to care for his young son.

The wedding proceeded with grand festivities. On their wedding night, the couple shared an intimate moment, after which Jiang Yueheng departed to attend to his duties. The following morning, Qingwu struggled to wake for the traditional morning greetings, requiring her maid to physically pinch her to rouse her. Despite her initial laziness, she performed the rituals with grace, earning the approval of the Hou Furen. Upon meeting her stepson, Hao Ge, she found him to be a healthy and adorable child, dispelling her fears about his frailty. She was then given control of her household, where she promptly met with her servants to establish order and reward them with extra stipends.

Qingwu settled into her new role with a pragmatic approach. She managed the household finances and servants efficiently while maintaining her love for food and leisure. Her relationship with Jiang Yueheng remained formal but amicable. He respected her competence in managing the household, while she appreciated his provision of a comfortable life and his lack of interference in her personal habits. The couple navigated their new dynamic with mutual respect, focusing on raising Hao Ge together. Qingwu continued to enjoy her life in the Hou Manor, balancing her duties as a stepmother and wife with her personal interests, while Jiang Yueheng continued his career in the Ministry of Justice, occasionally engaging in quiet conversations with his wife about books and daily matters.