Years After the Substitute Marriage

Jiang Wanrou is the wife of Lu Feng, the Commander of the Jinlong Bureau, a position of immense power and fear in the capital. Born as the concubine daughter of the Ning’an Marquis, her life was marked by hardship and humiliation under the rule of her stepmother, Madam Qin. Five years prior, a scandal erupted when Lu Feng, then betrothed to Jiang Wanrou’s elder sister Jiang Wanxue, was found in a compromising position with Jiang Wanrou instead. This incident ruined Jiang Wanrou’s reputation, forcing her to marry Lu Feng as a consolation prize while her sister ascended to become the Princess Consort to Prince Gong. Despite the initial resentment and her husband’s coldness following a leg injury that altered his temperament, Jiang Wanrou diligently managed the Lu household, bore him a son named Huaiyi, and gradually secured her position as the respected matriarch. Her beauty and submissive demeanor masked a sharp, calculating mind that had learned to survive in a dangerous political landscape.

The central conflict arises from the precarious political climate surrounding Prince Gong, the Emperor’s favored son, who has been implicated in a case of illegal iron forging. Lu Feng leads the investigation with brutal efficiency, instilling terror throughout the court. Madam Cui, wife of the Minister of Personnel, visits Jiang Wanrou to beg for her husband’s safety, offering information about a former servant from the Marquis’ household as a bargaining chip. This servant, Ma Chunlan, reveals a critical detail: Jiang Wanxue had originally planned to set up Lu Feng with a maid named Ying‛er, but the plan failed when Ying‛er did not appear, resulting in Jiang Wanrou being the one involved in the scandal instead. This revelation suggests that Jiang Wanrou’s ruined life was not an accident but the result of a deliberate conspiracy by her elder sister to save her own engagement and rise in status.

Jiang Wanrou’ investigation into her past deepens when she visits her ailing mother, Concubine Li, at the Marquis’ residence. She learns of the ongoing mistreatment she and her mother endured in her youth and resolves to seek justice. While exploring Lu Feng’ study at the Jinlong Bureau, she discovers a red agate bead, an ornament belonging to a woman, hidden among his papers. This discovery introduces a new layer of tension, hinting at a potential affair or a hidden connection to another woman, possibly linked to the political intrigue surrounding Prince Gong. Lu Feng returns unexpectedly, and Jiang Wanrou conceals the bead, maintaining her composure and affectionate facade despite the growing uncertainty in their relationship.

The narrative explores the complex dynamics between Jiang Wanrou and Lu Feng. Although Lu Feng is known for his cruelty and political ruthlessness, he shows a degree of tenderness toward his wife, particularly after she bears his son. However, his lingering feelings for Jiang Wanxue and the circumstances of their marriage create an undercurrent of emotional distance. Jiang Wanrou navigates these challenges by being an attentive and obedient wife, using her beauty and devotion to maintain her status. She also deals with the pressures of raising her frail son, Huaiyi, who is intelligent but physically weak, and managing the household affairs while avoiding the political pitfalls that threaten her family.

As the Prince Gong case nears its conclusion, with the prince being stripped of his title and confined to the palace, the political atmosphere in the capital remains tense. Jiang Wanrou’ discovery of the agate bead and the truth about her past scandal propel her to take more proactive steps. She decides to return to the Marquis’ residence to uncover more clues about the conspiracy against her. The story sets the stage for Jiang Wanrou to confront her past, seek revenge against those who wronged her, and navigate the treacherous waters of court politics, all while maintaining her position in the Lu household and dealing with the complexities of her marriage to a man who wields absolute power.