My Wife, Elegant and Detached, Became the Eighth Concubine - Chapter 1

My wife is elegant and detached; money, in her eyes, is a vulgar thing. When the Lin family committed a crime and was demoted to commoners, she offered all the money with both hands, taking only a cluster of orchids, which inspired the Lin family descendants to follow suit. To support our large family, I ran around, trading goods to maintain the household, not daring to rest day or night. Yet, she said I dealt with peddlers and thus disgraced her Lin family status. Later, I fell gravely ill, and she then used my money to cozy up to her paramour, who was also as proud and resilient as a plum blossom in winter, and became his eighth concubine. My resentment grew, and I was reborn. This time, I picked up my brush and ink, focusing on accompanying her in maintaining her noble and beautiful qualities.

“Shen Si, why are you so superficial, with your eyes only glued to those material things?”
A sharp, questioning voice awoke me from my shock. It was my wife, Lin Qingrou.

“Although my Lin family has fallen, our integrity remains. You keep talking about money, and to think you were once a scholar.”

I was silent for a long time, finally accepting the fact of my rebirth.

After the Lin family’s decline, I became a live-in son-in-law, facing a family of old, weak, and sick. I felt the heavy responsibility of their livelihood on my shoulders.

I began trading goods from other states, and after acquiring some silver, I opened a restaurant with the help of a friend in the capital.

Later, worried she might not be living as well as before and would be ostracized by noblewomen in the capital, I opened a jewelry shop for her.

It was just like this in my previous life. Everything I did eventually earned me her disdain.

This Miss Chen, who claimed to be Lin Qingrou’s close confidante in the past, often brought noblewomen from the capital to select ornaments. Whenever I acquired excellent gold and jade pieces, she was always the first to claim them.

She acted generously in public but never paid a single coin.

I couldn’t stand it, so one day, when she told the shopkeeper to take out the shop’s prize white jade bracelet, intending to simply take it, I stopped her and demanded the two thousand taels of silver she owed the shop.

Lin Qingrou, however, felt I had publicly disgraced her.

She accused me, an unwelcome son-in-law, of being poor and undignified, and publicly declared that in the future, her friends wouldn’t need to pay when they visited.

At this moment, her close confidantes all praised her for being generous and gentle, saying that I was petty and had clearly married above my station into the Lin family.

Lin Qingrou, inflated by their flattery, became even more arrogant. Dressed in white, she looked down at me from amidst the crowd. “Go back. From now on, you are not allowed to set foot in this place.”

I almost laughed in anger. It was only at this moment that I truly understood that Lin Qingrou was a fool with nothing but a beautiful facade.

If we were to talk about my origins, I was indeed just an inconspicuous scholar back then, incomparable to the refined and noble status of the Lin family, a family of scholars.
Lin Qingrou’s grandfather was once an academician in the Hanlin Academy. If it weren’t for her father’s generation gradually declining and later committing a crime that led to their house being raided, the Lin family would never have allowed me to marry Lin Qingrou.

Although I married into the Lin family, I never received an ounce of their favor. On the contrary, it was I who worked hard to establish a family business and support all the Lin family descendants.

Lin’s father misspoke in court, was used as a pawn, and then angered a powerful figure, who directly slapped him with a crime, leading to the entire family being demoted to commoners.

Before the house was raided, the Lin family knew that the assets in the mansion would be confiscated by the authorities, yet they could have taken one or two items for emergencies.

However, the Lin family prided themselves on being “pure” and disdained to value material possessions. They didn’t take a single coin.

And Lin Qingrou, even more defiantly during the house raid, offered all the gold and silver with both hands: “All my money is there, not a single coin less. I’m only taking a pot of orchids, is that too much?”

The people who came to raid the house smiled and sarcastically remarked, “The Lin family descendants indeed possess noble character.”

Because of this one compliment, the other descendants followed suit, voluntarily handing over their money and only taking a few pots of flowers and plants.

For a long time to come, Lin Qingrou indeed maintained her noble character.

She had cultivated zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood. The reputation of being a virtuous lady, painstakingly built by the Lin family, was deeply ingrained in everyone’s minds. With this title, even after the Lin family’s decline, many people still wanted to admire her orchid paintings, even willing to buy them for a high price.

Lin Qingrou, however, felt this was an insult to her. “If someone can truly appreciate my painting, I am willing to give it for free. But if someone is wealthy yet lacks the ability to appreciate, then it defiles my true essence.”

As for other ventures related to money, Miss Lin disdained to engage in them even more.

Every day, dressed in white, she would frequent poetry gatherings, even cross-dressing as a man and drinking heartily with scholars.

This truly earned her some good repute. The outside world spread rumors that despite being a woman, she possessed unyielding integrity, bending but never breaking, and for a time, she was praised to the heavens.

Lin Qingrou was indeed fresh and refined, unconcerned with worldly affairs.

But as her husband, I couldn’t watch our large family starve.

My ancestors were in the business of trading goods. Although I had a rudimentary understanding, I lacked practical experience. In the beginning, I explored for a long time under pressure and genuinely made some headway.

Then, with the help of friends, the first restaurant opened smoothly.

He had many social engagements, and on opening day, he brought many friends to support the business, and the restaurant’s business immediately boomed.

Despite this, I still didn’t give up the trading business, fearing that one day the restaurant’s business might falter.

But the day and night toil did not make Lin Qingrou hold me in higher regard. Instead, whenever she saw me, she would scold:

“You trading all day makes father lose face and makes me lose all dignity.”

She considered herself superior and always spoke to me rudely.

Yet her father, to regain his position, would bring people to the restaurant for entertainment every day, casually opening expensive “Drunken Blossom Wine” that cost a hundred taels.

Her elder brother would take silver from the accounts whenever he ran out of money.

I shook my head. “If you think money is a worldly possession, then why don’t you try living independently from now on, and see if you can still live as freely and elegantly without money.”

Lin Qingrou choked, her face turning crimson.

She then cried to others, complaining that I was petty and stingy, full of the stench of money, and that if the Lin family hadn’t encountered trouble, she would never have married a commoner like me.

For a time, rumors spread, saying I had used despicable means to marry the celestial-like Lin Qingrou.

I was insulted and mocked by everyone. My friend said:

“Brother Shen is so misunderstood, why not break ties with the Lin family? I will definitely strive to clear your name.”

At that time, I shook my head.

But I didn’t expect Lin Qingrou to become even more brazen.

She openly exchanged letters with her beloved, expressing her deep feelings, even talking late into the night by candlelight in the restaurant.

Guests in the restaurant often whispered:

“Did you hear? Lin Qingrou is in love with Young Master Qi, Qi Xiubai…”

“Young Master Qi, ah, he’s like an immortal. Fate plays tricks, these two are truly a match made in heaven…”

In my previous life, when I was bedridden and recovering, I only then learned some of their past.
It turned out Lin Qingrou had always admired Qi Xiubai, the eldest son of Minister Qi.

It was Qi Xiubai she longed to marry day and night, and I was just the villain who came along and snatched her away.

The two did have that kind of relationship, it just hadn’t been made public. But at that time, the Qi family had already received news that the Lin family would have changes in court, so they had always kept Lin Qingrou hanging in limbo.

After all, the Qi family’s young master was to marry a girl of matching status.

On the day of my marriage, Lin Qingrou played the zither until dawn, sighing sorrowfully to the bright moon:

“Brother Xiubai, I have already married you in my heart.”

In the following years, Lin Qingrou never gave up the idea of marrying Qi Xiubai.

While I was toiling day and night for money, the two of them would open a good private room in my restaurant and confess their true feelings to each other.

Qi Xiubai said: “I think your husband is quite good. He doesn’t seem like someone who clings to wealth and power.”

When I was mentioned, Lin Qingrou expressed nothing but disgust, as if I didn’t deserve to be part of their conversation.

“Brother Xiubai, how can he compare to you? That kind of person is only fit for running errands at the bottom, earning some money, while you are a noble gentleman who cannot be profaned.”

Qi Xiubai said: “But I heard you have already given yourself to him. You should live your life well with him from now on.”

Lin Qingrou became anxious, wishing she could die to prove her innocence: “Brother Xiubai, I am still a virgin. From the day of our marriage, I haven’t allowed him to enter my room for half a step. Everything I am can only be yours.”

Qi Xiubai smiled with satisfaction.

Later, I found a large number of letters in her room.

Lin Qingrou wrote: “The moonlight is enchanting, leaning alone by the window, lovesickness has become a disease, so I express my feelings through words.

“You are the unattainable bright moon above the firmament, making all beneath the moon appear vulgar and unbearable. I yearn for the day I can be with you.”

I trembled as I read through hundreds of letters, every word piercing my heart, and from then on, I fell gravely ill.

During my confinement to bed, Lin Qingrou seemed very happy, not even sparing time to visit me.

Later, she took my money and bribed officials for her father, finally allowing the Lin family to regain their footing and obtain a fifth-rank official position.

I didn’t have much time left. I called her to my bedside, but she frowned and sharply reprimanded me:

“Someone as lowly as you, who can marry me, has received immense blessings. Even if you die, you can hold your head high before your ancestors.”

Before I died, she married Qi Xiubai as she wished, becoming his eighth concubine. Even so, she was content.

All the Lin family members also moved out of that old courtyard, and no one remembered me anymore.

At this moment, Lin Qingrou, while enjoying the praise of the noblewomen around her, impatiently said: “What are you still standing there for? Is this a place where you should be?”

Even the shopkeeper couldn’t listen anymore. He wanted to speak up for me, but I stopped him, turned around, and left.

My servant, Shitou, complained on my behalf:

“Young Master, if the mistress continues to squander like this, no amount of money will be enough to fill the hole. This money was earned by you running around and risking your life. You should assert your authority as a husband.”

I was naturally unwilling to be a stepping stone for the Lin family again. I stopped.

“Shitou, go find a bank and deposit all the existing silver.”

Shitou was stunned for a moment. “Young Master, you’re not planning to run away, are you? I think you should have done that a long time ago.”

I pursed my lips and said: “Remember, from now on, no one from the Lin family will get a single coin from me, unless they kneel and beg me. I’ll only give them a little based on my mood.”

Shitou cheered: “Young Master, you’ve finally stood up!”

I smiled and said nothing.

I knew he had long disliked the Lin family.

Now that I had a second chance, I wanted to see how they would maintain their “dignity” without me shielding them from the wind and rain.

In my previous life, I toiled for a year, investing all my capital into the restaurant.
It wasn’t until February of the following year that I managed to earn back my initial investment.

So during this period, I never dared to stop. The entire Lin family’s food and drink were all paid for with my hard-earned money, gained through day and night labor.

Lin Qingrou loved to flaunt her wealth, and her entire family was the same. Although they had fallen, they still wanted to maintain an image of dignity in front of others.

Not to mention a dozen large dishes for every meal, even their paper, brushes, and inkstones were all famous brands. A casual folding fan they used to affect elegance could cost a common family a year’s expenses.

Behind the infinite splendor were enormous expenses. Even if I worked myself to death earning money, it wasn’t enough for their squandering, which is why I eventually became ill from overwork.

Now, without them, even if Shitou and I did nothing but eat and drink well for five years, it would be enough.

Shitou was genuinely happy. In less than a morning, he had packed all the silver into a box and deposited it at the bank.

He returned, smiling, and told me: “Young Master, today I’m happier than if I had married a wife.”

No sooner had he spoken than Lin Qingrou returned.

She seemed pleased from the moment she entered, casting an arrogant glance at me.

“Today you are more magnanimous than before, not pestering for money in a petty way. I will allow you to dine with me tonight.”

I sneered inwardly.

In my previous life, I wouldn’t have just turned and left like today.

That day, seeing their trickery, I had people take notes and went to the mansions of those young ladies to collect the money.

From then on, they criticized me, saying I was an undignified bumpkin, always quibbling over small sums, and Lin Qingrou, with all her pride, was also dragged down by me, unable to hold her head high.

In this life, I was too lazy to bother anymore.

I said calmly, “Madam enjoys making friends and socializing. Of course, I cannot let you lose face. I have learned from Madam and have also begun to be detached from fame and gain. It doesn’t matter if there’s no money; reputation is what truly matters.”

Such a sudden change made Lin Qingrou a bit unaccustomed. She gave me a cold glance and then left.

It wasn’t until dinner time that I arrived late. She saw me and immediately began to make trouble.

“Shen Si, you made me eat this? Even dogs wouldn’t eat this!”

“Yeah, are you deliberately trying to disgust us?”

The one who spoke was Lin Qingrou’s elder brother, Lin Qing’an. This young master had been pampered since childhood. If there wasn’t a table full of good wine and dishes for a meal, he would be picky and feel it didn’t match his status.

I asked with a smile, “Young Master Lin, what would you like to eat?”

He looked displeased and reprimanded, “What are you talking about, brother-in-law? Just serve the usual dishes, do I need to list them for you?”

Old Master Lin even threw down his chopsticks, sulking, “I’m not eating. What an ill-mannered fellow.”

The entire family was the same, acting as if they were too refined for worldly affairs, demanding whatever they wanted without considering the cost or anyone else’s effort.

Their daily meals not only required varied cooking and presentation, but they also needed a bowl of bird’s nest soup each at night. A day’s worth of food cost half a month’s worth for an ordinary family.

If it were the former Lin household, it would have been fine, as their ancestors had left behind many assets for them to squander.

But now that the Lin family had fallen, they still maintained their past extravagance.

If I said a few words, they would furiously throw down their chopsticks and snap:

“It’s just an ordinary meal, it doesn’t even compare to the Lin family’s previous grandeur.”

“If you’ve gotten used to poverty and can’t keep up with the Lin family’s quality of life, then you don’t need to sit at the table anymore. Just take some dishes back to your room and eat by yourself.”

Thinking of the Lin family’s past mockery of me, I smiled.

“I think these few plates of green vegetables are excellent. It’s good for you to get used to the poor man’s way of life. I specifically asked the cook to prepare them in different ways. If you don’t eat, you’ll just go hungry.”

Lin Qingrou’s delicate brows furrowed, and a faint hint of impatience appeared on her face.

“Shen Si, I shouldn’t have been so kind as to let you appear at the dinner table today. Go back now and tell the kitchen to prepare new dishes. You don’t need to come back.”

Lin Qing’an also glared at me with the same anger. “Hurry up, I can bear it a little longer.”

Shitou couldn’t help but snort coldly, muttering under his breath, “They’re all spoiled by them.”

I sat calmly among the crowd, a smile playing on my lips.

“There’s no big fish or meat today. If you don’t eat, you’ll go hungry. I don’t have much silver left in my hands now. We can still afford white rice, but in the future, I’m afraid we’ll have to live on air.”

Lin Qingrou’s delicate brows furrowed in displeasure, and she said sternly:

“Your restaurant clearly has a constant stream of customers every day, and your jewelry shop, with any precious item you sell, wouldn’t leave you unable to eat. Shen Si, have you learned to fool people now?”

I shrugged, helpless.

“My restaurant has been operating at a loss for years. The customers are all your father’s and your brother’s friends who come to eat and drink for free. And the jewelry shop? That’s practically giving things away for free.”

Lin Qingrou was speechless, showing a slightly puzzled and bewildered expression.

“Even if it’s the jewelry shop, why don’t you charge for the restaurant?” Lin Qingrou asked, puzzled.
Why? Wasn’t it clear enough?

“Your father and your brother have befriended countless literati and scholars. They specifically instructed that their meals be complimentary.”

So scholars from the capital flocked there, each claiming to be a friend of the Lin father and son. Not only did they eat and drink their fill every day, but they also packed some leftovers to take away.

My restaurant gradually became a relief shelter. This was also why, even after the Lin family’s decline, countless people still eagerly sought them out.

Lin Qingrou’s face was very unpleasant. She snapped, “The literati and scholars Father and Brother mentioned refer to famous figures, not those poor scholars. Do you have any common sense at all?”

I looked up at her, unhurriedly saying, “Then perhaps Madam should clarify things tomorrow. That way, the restaurant’s business can get back on track, and the family can still enjoy a table full of delicacies again.”

Lin Qingrou frowned tightly. She really didn’t want to show her face and deal with those people.

But then Lin Qing’an coughed.

“Sister, you should go. I think you should manage the restaurant and jewelry shop’s business from now on. Brother-in-law is soft-hearted and easily taken advantage of.

“If this continues, how can our Lin family maintain its dignity in front of former colleagues?”

I chuckled softly, silently reassuring Shitou, whose fists were clenched.

Lin Qingrou’s expression gradually became serious.

She remembered that in a few days, she had a poetry gathering to attend, followed by a flower viewing party, and then shopping with her close confidantes. Each of these required money. She needed enough confidence to stand proudly among the noblewomen.

In my previous life, I didn’t understand these meaningless gatherings and told her she could find other pastimes if she was bored. She adamantly refused, only saying:

“I must maintain good relations with them. The Lin family will surely be re-appointed one day, and by then, I, Lin Qingrou, will still be the capital’s foremost noblewoman.”

But every time she attended a banquet, she didn’t want those noblewomen to see her destitution. Her attire had to be the finest silk brocade, and a full set of valuable pearls and jade. Even when tipping servants at the banquet, she had to generously give a silver ingot.

Seemingly aloof and noble, but in reality, vain and materialistic.

And in this situation, Lin Qing’an was even more anxious than Lin Qingrou. After all, the noblewoman he admired was being discussed for marriage, and he was preparing how to win her heart.

Under Lin Qing’an’s continuous hinting, Lin Qingrou reluctantly came to the restaurant.

The guests were still overflowing. I pointed to a few tables in the hall:

“These are almost all freeloaders. Today, I’ll have to rely on Madam to make things clear to them.”

Lin Qingrou had always only associated with noble young masters. When had she ever seen so many poor scholars? Her face showed unconcealed disdain.

“These people look like impoverished vagrants. How could they be friends with Father and Brother?”

She stood in the middle of the restaurant, like an otherworldly fairy, her white robes fluttering.

I regretfully said, “Madam’s guidance is right. You should quickly go and make it clear to them. If you wait any longer, they’ll all leave.”

Lin Qingrou hesitated for a long time, ultimately disdaining to deal with these people.

“You go and make it clear to them. If anyone refuses to pay, it won’t be too late for me to go then.”

I raised an eyebrow, strode to the center of the shop, and stopped everyone:

“Gentlemen, please settle your outstanding silver today. The shopkeeper has been keeping records.”

As soon as these words came out, some people were displeased and, fueled by alcohol, started to challenge me.

“Master Lin and Young Master Lin said they wanted to make friends with scholars all over the world. What do you mean by this? How dare a live-in son-in-law come here to cause trouble?”

I deliberately lowered my posture. “Gentlemen, you don’t know, but my wife has personally come to collect the accounts today. Everything my father-in-law and the others said in the past was just drunken talk.”

A few people exchanged glances and quickly walked towards my back.

“They all say Miss Lin is as proud as a plum in winter, a famous virtuous lady. Seeing her today, her temperament is indeed extraordinary.”

“We brothers have long admired Miss Lin’s brilliance. I wonder if Miss Lin would be willing to come and have a few drinks with us.”

Lin Qingrou’s brows were consistently filled with impatience. Not only did these people look vulgar, but when they came closer, they also emitted a faint stench, as if they hadn’t bathed in a long time.

“A bunch of vulgar people, you’re not fit to drink with me.”

The few of them only had a rudimentary understanding of literature. In reality, they completely lacked the cultivation of scholars. After losing face, their words became extremely frivolous.

“What are you pretending to be noble for? Isn’t it just because we have no background? When you and Qi Xiubai were hiding in the private room, clinking cups, why didn’t you pretend then?”

“Brother Shen, I’m not going to lie, we truly feel wronged for you. Everyone in this restaurant knows that Lin Qingrou and Qi Xiubai are exchanging glances, only you are kept in the dark.”

Their voices weren’t quiet, and many eyes in the restaurant were glancing over.

The weight of Qi Xiubai in Lin Qingrou’s heart was so significant that she naturally wouldn’t allow these people to slander him. She immediately became furious out of shame.

“It’s bad enough that you freeload all the time, but you even dare to slander Brother Xiubai? It shows you have no scholarly upbringing whatsoever.”

“Yes, yes, unlike some people who, when secretly meeting with men, still claim to be pure. Truly shameless, do they really think they’re fairies?”

“They all say the Lin family is noble and virtuous, but aren’t they just looking down on us poor scholars? It seems the Lin family is nothing more than this.”

The restaurant was bustling with people, and one stone stirred up a thousand ripples.

How could Lin Qingrou be their match? After failing to argue, she angrily flicked her sleeves and left.

After watching her leave, the smile on my face vanished.

“Gentlemen, you have insulted my wife. Please pay your bills as soon as possible, otherwise, I will immediately have the waiter report you to the authorities.”

The few of them reluctantly pulled out their silver.

“I thought the Lin family was truly willing to help us scholars, but it turns out they were just putting on a show.”

Someone else aimed their target at me.

“You’re truly naive. You thought you married a noble lady, but in reality, she looks down on you. I think if the Lin family prospers in the future, you’ll be the first to be kicked out.”

I couldn’t be bothered to respond. After collecting the money, I quickly chased after her.

Lin Qingrou was waiting at the entrance for Shitou to bring the carriage. I comforted her:

“Madam, it’s a good thing you stepped forward today. The money has been collected.”

Lin Qingrou was extremely angry. She said contemptuously, “A bunch of paupers, daring to speak ill of Brother Xiubai. They don’t deserve to.”

I stood rooted to the spot, my face pale as I looked at her.

“Madam, I want to ask, are they telling the truth? You and Qi Xiubai…”

She was startled, then turned around and snorted coldly.

“Do I need to explain myself to you?”

The carriage was just brought over by Shitou, and Lin Qingrou immediately got in.

I stood there holding the collected silver. “Then Madam doesn’t want this money?”

Lin Qingrou’s voice was stern. “Who wants something those people have touched? Disgusting.”

Shitou chuckled at this. I pushed the money into his arms.

“Here, let’s save this money. We’ll use it to buy you a house and marry a wife in the future.”

Since then, two days passed, and Lin Qingrou didn’t return.
However, the city was still abuzz with rumors. The Lin family eventually faced repercussions. Their once-great reputation suddenly plummeted, and our Miss Lin, shockingly, ran to the Qi mansion in broad daylight, admitting their mutual affection.

She thought everyone would still praise her and Qi Xiubai as a match made in heaven, just like before.

But she didn’t know that the Qi family and Miss Pei from the Duke’s mansion were discussing a marriage alliance. At such a critical juncture, who in the Qi family would bother with her?

She was stopped at the Qi mansion gate by the gatekeeper’s wife, who even insulted her.

“Miss Lin has excellent upbringing, married yet running to our Qi mansion to ruin our young master’s reputation. Truly shameless.

“Besides, how can someone from a fallen family like yours aspire to our young master?”

The common people at the Qi mansion gate pointed and whispered, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

She returned in a huff, only to see Shitou and me in the house admiring the regular script I had just finished copying.

Lin Qingrou scoffed, “A shallow person with no literary talent, trying to imitate elegance here. It’s just an ugly imitation.”

Was she taking all her anger out on me?

I put down my brush and said calmly:

“The incident at the restaurant last time was a bit messy, so business hasn’t been good lately. I’m thinking of studying again, hoping to take the imperial examination next year.”

Lin Qingrou flew into a rage upon hearing this. “Since you’re staying home all day doing nothing, you might as well close that dilapidated restaurant.”

Upon hearing this, I pretended to ponder. “Close it? That’s fine too. I can focus on my studies, striving to one day be worthy of the Lin family.”

She frowned, seemingly not expecting me to agree so quickly. But she was ultimately proud and walked away as if speechless.

However, the restaurant was my hard work. I wouldn’t truly close it just because she said so. As long as I had enough money in hand, it would also be a good lesson for the Lin family.

Furthermore, restaurant affairs were complicated. By selling it, I could indeed focus on my studies and aim to take the imperial examination next year.

I quickly found a buyer for the restaurant and sold it.

When Lin Qing’an found out, he was the first to come and question me: “Why did you close the restaurant? Do you know how much I was humiliated today?”

Of course, I knew. He had hosted friends but couldn’t pay, and was kicked out like a freeloader.

I said calmly: “Rou’er always found me vulgar because of my association with money. On the contrary, she admires dignified figures like Young Master Qi. I naturally had to make some changes to make her look at me in a new light.

“Besides, closing the restaurant was entirely at Rou’er’s suggestion.”

Lin Qing’an was speechless but turned to Lin Qingrou: “Sister, why did you close the restaurant? Don’t you know that our Lin family still needs him? If he doesn’t earn money, how will you afford to see Young Master Qi?”

Lin Qingrou’s voice sounded very impatient.

“Brother Qi is not that kind of person. He has always been detached; talking about money is vulgar.”

Lin Qing’an was furious.

“How can we maintain dignity without money? How am I supposed to buy gifts for Miss Pei? I still have to host friends. Which of those doesn’t require money?”

Lin Qingrou’s eyes held contempt, as if looking at something dirty.

“Brother, why are you also talking about money all the time now? We Lin family members have always disdained material possessions. Can integrity be bought with money?

“You’ve truly disappointed me.”

With that, she angrily left, leaving Lin Qing’an with a pale face, standing rooted to the spot. He hadn’t even mentioned that he had already lost face in front of his friends earlier today. If he had no money, who would associate with him in the future?

Shitou hadn’t felt this relieved since he came to the Lin mansion with me.

“Young Master, I think we still need to teach them another lesson, let them know that integrity is worthless in the face of poverty.”

I calculated the days and smiled faintly.

“It’s almost the end of the month, right? When that happens, we’ll pay the maids and servants serving in the mansion double their monthly wages and tell them to find other jobs.”

The Lin family’s former servants had already returned to their respective homes when the house was raided. The current servants in the courtyard were all bought by Shitou from human traffickers at my instruction.
I tore up all their contracts of sale, paid everyone their monthly wages, and then gave them extra reward money, as they had endured much hardship from the Lin family over the years.

No sooner had they left than Lin Qingrou came over. She still had that delicate, graceful, and ethereal demeanor.

“Shen Si? Why did you dismiss the people in my courtyard?”

I sighed,

“I simply don’t have enough silver in my hands to afford so many servants anymore.”

Lin Qingrou’s courtyard alone had six servants, while Lin Qing’an, including his boy servant and his warming-bed maid, had a total of eight.

All of these were no small expenses.

Lin Qingrou didn’t understand. “But you can’t dismiss them all, can you? Who will serve me in the future?”

Lin Qing’an also arrived shortly after, sitting directly on my nanmu chair, his eyebrows furrowed with anger.

“Brother-in-law, why did you let my two warming-bed maids go for no reason?”

I said with distress, “Those two maids said you haven’t paid them their monthly wages for half a year and that they’d rather go out and wash clothes than stay here, as it’s more worthwhile.”

Lin Qing’an’s expression changed drastically. “They’re all superficial people. When I take the imperial examination next year and get an official position, even if they cry and beg me, I won’t take them back.”

He said this, then took a moment to compose himself, and then remembered the many inconveniences of not having anyone to serve him in the morning.

He said unhappily:

“If those servants are gone, who will grind ink for me, who will wash my clothes, who will prepare my bath water?”

I smiled faintly,

“If you want to have someone serve you, then you’ll have to find a way to get some money yourself. The days ahead are long, and living off old savings is never a long-term solution.”

Lin Qingrou said displeased, “You’re idle all day, why don’t you go earn some money?”

I looked innocent,

“Didn’t I say? I want to accompany you in upholding the Lin family’s dignity. From now on, I won’t be doing those public-facing things anymore.”

For the first time, Lin Qingrou was rendered speechless by me.

But then she saw Shitou casually cracking melon seeds beside him and frowned:

“Since no one is working, why is he idle? I still have many clothes in my courtyard that haven’t been washed. Why don’t you hurry and make him work?”

I pondered,

“Shitou can indeed work, but he has a bit of a temper.”

Shitou instantly understood my meaning, threw the melon seeds in his hand onto the ground, and pretended to be fierce and menacing.

“I can serve you all, but I must say beforehand, I need to eat eight meals a day. If I don’t get enough to eat, I might kill someone.

“Also, I like to bring my friends from the Jianghu over for gatherings. If they offend anyone, you’ll have to bear with it.”

Lin Qingrou cursed Shitou for being vulgar.

I simply said directly: “Look, if any of you dare to use him, just ask him to help out.”

Lin Qing’an sneered:

“It seems brother-in-law wants to wash his hands of this, believing that my sister and I can’t do anything without you, right? Sister is right, poor people are difficult. She should have married Young Master Qi in the first place.”

Lin Qingrou, upon hearing the words “Young Master Qi,” already looked melancholic.

Sometimes I truly couldn’t understand how these siblings had the nerve to say such things.

In my previous life, I poured my heart out to them but got no gratitude in return. Now, they still act as if everything is deserved, enjoying the benefits I bring while looking down on me with high airs.

In my previous life, I mistakenly believed that years of effort would earn their recognition, only to find that what I got was her throwing her infidelity in my face.

Now I understood that their so-called “elegance and detachment” was nothing more than extreme selfishness.

I said with a faint smile: “If Madam truly misses Young Master Qi, then it’s your own business if he is willing to marry you. I, Shen Si, have nothing more to say and will gladly offer a divorce agreement when the time comes.”

Lin Qingrou never expected me to say such a thing. On one hand, she couldn’t believe that someone who had “married up” to her could initiate talk of divorce. On the other hand, I had touched a raw nerve.

That day, she had waited outside the Qi mansion for Qi Xiubai for three days, but no one had paid her any mind.

“Are you looking down on me? Shen Si, can’t you see your own status?”

I let out a scoffing laugh,

“Marry a wife for her virtue. I believe I have been diligent in all matters for the Lin family, and what about you? Fickle, speaking ill of me. Is this the cultivation of your so-called aristocratic family?”

Lin Qingrou was furious. Her expression suggested she wanted to utter harsh words, but she also wanted to maintain her image as a dignified person, so in the end, she endured and said nothing.

The matter had been made clear. Lin Qingrou would not lower her noble head.

So, in the days that followed, they lived very hard lives.

The Lin family, old and young, had all grown up with silver spoons in their mouths, surrounded by servants from a young age, raised delicately.

Complex household chores piled up. Logically, at this point, they should have united and worked together to finish the tasks, then find ways to earn some silver, but they did not.

At meal times, the family sat at the dining table with stiff necks, as if a steaming hot meal would appear out of thin air.

Later, Lin Qingrou finally couldn’t take it anymore and had a quarrel with Lin Qing’an: “As a man, shouldn’t you shoulder the responsibility of a husband? Why can’t you do what Shen Si can do?”

Lin Qing’an retorted, unwilling to back down: “As a woman, isn’t washing clothes and cooking what you should be doing? Why do you do nothing all day?”

Their so-called “dignity” completely collapsed at this moment.

Later, Lin Qing’an went out to find ways to make money, selling calligraphy and paintings by the roadside, but he didn’t bring back even half a coin.

Lin Qingrou also tried to cook. She finally managed to light the fire, but she burned down the kitchen until only one stove remained. Now, they couldn’t even cook.

With no one to wash clothes, their white robes became gray and wrinkled, with speckles from meals stained on them, and ink stains on their wrists.

Forget about appearing ethereal; even leaving the house became a problem.

Such days didn’t last long, and the two couldn’t endure it anymore.

Lin Qing’an had no choice but to wear his only presentable outer robe and go see Qi Xiubai.

When the Lin family had not yet fallen, Lin Qing’an and Qi Xiubai used to have close interactions daily.
Because Lin Qingrou had always admired Qi Xiubai, when I married Lin Qingrou, he always looked at me with disdain and disgust, as if I were some despicable scoundrel taking advantage of their misfortune.

He sold an inkstone and hosted Qi Xiubai at Chunfeng Ju, pouring out his grievances to him.

“Brother Qi, I’m increasingly uneasy now. That vulgar Shen Si even presumes to win my sister’s heart by taking imperial examinations. Now he pretends to be refined all day, and my sister’s life is miserable.

“If Rou’er had married into the Qi family back then, you two would surely have become a beautiful story.”

Qi Xiubai drank the wine in his cup and heavily slammed the goblet onto the table.

“This Shen Si is truly ignorant. He doesn’t know that Rou’er marrying him was a step down for her, and he’s so ungrateful.”

Lin Qing’an cried out in distress, “He’s not like you, Brother Qi, a man of noble character.”

He hoped that Qi Xiubai would offer some practical solutions, but to his surprise, after saying that, Qi Xiubai had nothing more to add.

He also had no choice but to brazenly say:

“Brother Qi, could you please lend a hand and help the Lin family through this difficult time? When I return, I will definitely inform my sister of your kindness.”

Qi Xiubai, however, started to play mediator at this point.

“Now that Rou’er is married to Shen Si, my reputation would suffer if I interfered in their marital affairs. This is not the time for you to be stubborn. At most, you can apologize and show some weakness to him. I’m sure he will become obedient.

“Fortunately, Rou’er is beautiful. If you can properly win his heart, why worry about not being able to return to your former life?”

Lin Qing’an was already displeased, but for the sake of future wealth, he could only temporarily set aside his dignity.

“Then, Brother Qi, could you use your connections to speak up for our Lin family? When the Lin family regains its former glory, you and Rou’er will surely reconcile.”

He thought that given Lin Qingrou’s importance to Qi Xiubai, he would surely be willing to help the Lin family.

However, he was met with a scolding from Qi Xiubai:

“Scholars should have clear minds. How can they scheme for official positions and lose their true intentions? I truly didn’t expect you to be this kind of person. Do not bring this up again.”

Lin Qing’an’s face turned crimson from the scolding, having completely lost his usual elegant demeanor.

“Since your Qi family hasn’t fallen, you can naturally remain aloof. If you’re unwilling to help, then so be it, but you also have to belittle me with your words. It seems I misjudged you in the past.”

Qi Xiubai merely snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and walked away.

Lin Qing’an, disheartened, went downstairs to settle the bill.

But he heard someone behind him discussing:

“Was that Qi Xiubai, Young Master Qi, who just passed by? I heard he’s discussing marriage with the legitimate daughter of the Pei family.”

“Those two are very suitable, both in family background and in appearance and talent.”

He froze completely.

Pei Wanying was a famous talented woman in the capital, beautiful in appearance and widely learned. Suitors came in droves. At the same time, she was also Lin Qing’an’s beloved.
In the previous life, after the Lin family was reinstated in office, Lin Qing’an married Pei Xinran.

And Lin Qingrou also married Qi Xiubai as she wished.

However, in this life, because of me, the Lin family was not reinstated in office.

After all, the Lin family’s reinstatement in the previous life was due to many people in the court speaking up for them.

And Lin Qingrou only said it was because her father was “honest and incorruptible, a man of integrity.”

And this so-called “man of integrity” was nothing more than a smooth path paved with all my hard work.

In this life, my silver would no longer pave their way.

Lin Qing’an became anxious, his face clouded with worry at home, taking out his anger on Lin Qingrou.

“That Qi Xiubai knows I like Xinran, so why does he still compete with me? Doesn’t he claim to be a righteous gentleman? It turns out he’s also a hypocritical villain.”

Lin Qingrou looked as if struck by lightning, while Lin Qing’an merely continued to murmur, comforting himself.

“Xinran and I had feelings. When the Lin family hadn’t been raided yet, we even exchanged letters.

“It must be Qi Xiubai’s interference, and Xinran couldn’t defy her family’s arrangements, which is why she met him.”

Upon hearing that the two were meeting by Daming Lake, the siblings no longer cared about their current plight.

Wearing a faded robe, they appeared by the lake.

Lin Qing’an specifically chose a spot where Miss Pei would easily notice him.

He waited for a long time but didn’t receive Pei Xinran’s gaze, only seeing her looking expectantly in another direction.

On the other side of the lake.

Qi Xiubai arrived late, dressed in a rich white bamboo-patterned silk robe, with a white jade hairpin in his hair, exuding an indescribable cold nobility.

One must admit, such an appearance could indeed captivate a noblewoman’s heart.

Lin Qing’an also wore a white outer robe, but in comparison, his clothes were crumpled, and since no one had styled his hair, it stood crookedly on top of his head, with a few loose strands hanging down the back.

The disparity was immediately obvious, and Lin Qing’an himself felt embarrassed.

However, he upheld his scholarly pride from beginning to end and strode towards the two.

Perhaps because of the recent hardships, the once refined and elegant young master had lost so much weight that his cheeks were sunken in.

Pei Xinran noticed him first and, after sizing him up, asked uncertainly, “You are, Lin Qing’an?”

At that surprised exclamation, Lin Qing’an’s confidence was instantly shattered.

He endured the humiliation in his heart and reprimanded Qi Xiubai:

“Qi Xiubai, have you forgotten the promise you made to my sister? Why are you seducing another woman here? Have you studied your books into a dog’s belly?”

His aggressive demeanor, however, made Pei Xinran feel he was being unreasonable.

“Since your sister is already married, what’s the point of discussing past events?”

Qi Xiubai said innocently:

“Young Master Lin, my sister and I merely discussed literature; there was no private affair.”

Lin Qing’an became agitated: “If that’s the case, I’ll go home right now and dig out all the letters you exchanged with Rou’er.”

Qi Xiubai’s face turned extremely ugly. Fearing he would say more, he quickly signaled his house servants to silence Lin Qing’an.

Who knew that Lin Qing’an had completely gone mad? He bypassed a few house servants and suddenly pounced on Qi Xiubai, “Today, I must avenge my sister!”

Lin Qingrou also rushed out. Facing the radiant Miss Pei, the jealousy in her eyes flashed across her face.

She intentionally lost her footing, and both fell into the lake simultaneously.

Lin Qingrou could swim, but Miss Pei’s swimming skills were poor, and she almost drowned.

After returning, she caught a cold. The Pei family blamed all the fault on the Qi family.

The Qi family’s good fortune was delayed, and Qi Xiubai gritted his teeth, ordered someone to break one of Lin Qing’an’s legs, and warned Lin Qingrou never to appear before him again.

The two returned home disheartened. I was in the process of tidying up the silver from the sale of the shop.

Lin Qingrou said with disgust:

“Are you deliberately trying to make fun of me? Although I am down and out, I still have dignity and will never compromise with you.”

I said calmly, “Of course. Miss Lin, with all her integrity, naturally won’t compromise with these things.”

She scoffed, “You know that’s good.”

But soon, she couldn’t keep up her tough act. In the middle of the night, Lin Qing’an developed a high fever due to excessive blood loss from his leg and falling into the water.

I kindly asked Shitou to call a doctor, but when it came time to pay for the silver, Lin Qingrou couldn’t produce a single coin.

In the end, she had to find me and let me pay for her.

After the doctor left, she felt that I had humiliated her and said with a dark face:

“Shen Si, I want a divorce from you.”

This was exactly what I wanted.

I placed the already prepared divorce agreement in front of her and signed my name.

“Miss Lin, from now on, you are completely free.”

Her pride was wounded, and she ran crying to the Qi mansion gate. That day, just like in my previous life, she entered the Qi mansion.

The difference was, in my previous life, she was at least a concubine, and at least had people serving her. But in this life, Qi Xiubai only made her a warming-bed maid.

Yet Lin Qingrou didn’t feel humiliated at all; instead, she was content.

When she returned, she looked at me proudly and said:

“Shen Si, from now on, I have no connection with you whatsoever. Don’t come crying and begging me when you see me in the future.”

I shook my head. I, a common person, was indeed not worthy of her.

The two of them, one who admired orchids for their “noble character” and the other who admired plum blossoms for their “resilience in cold and snow,” were indeed a good match.

Lin Qingrou left without looking back.

The Lin family, however, showed no intention of leaving. The entire family presented themselves as impeccably clean and pure, as if ready to ascend to immortality at any moment.

I immediately hired four or five strong men and, overnight, drove all the Lin family members out of the mansion.

“Take your integrity and sleep on the streets.”

But integrity couldn’t be eaten for food.
If they had used their brains and worked with their own hands, they wouldn’t have ended up sleeping on the streets.

But the Lin family was different. They would rather wait in a dilapidated temple than go out and beg for food.

Lin Qingrou bravely entered the Qi mansion. She was proud, aloof, and cold, not vying for favor with the other concubines, considering herself a clear stream in the Qi family’s backyard.

But half a month passed, and other than that one night, she was abandoned as if forgotten.

She finally took the initiative to go to Qi Xiubai’s study, only to see him holding an unknown concubine, whispering and caressing.

She felt humiliated, turned around, and left, but Qi Xiubai seemed to have forgotten about her.

She lowered her head again to find Qi Xiubai, but heard that he was bringing in his eighth concubine.

She no longer cared about being noble and went in crying, scratching Qi Xiubai’s face.

Shitou laughed so hard he bent over when he told me about it.

I just smiled and continued to focus on the imperial examination next year.

The following year, I met Lin Qingrou outside the examination hall.
She looked much thinner and more haggard, but when she saw me, she still had that disdainful look.

“Shen Si, how dare you even come to take the imperial examination? If you hadn’t latched onto the Lin family, where would you have gotten your vision today?”

I sneered. If I hadn’t been delayed by the Lin family for a few years, I would have taken the imperial examination three years ago.

I walked past her, not even bothering to give her a glance.

But someone blocked my way.

The Lin family dreamt of returning to their former glory, placing all their hopes on Lin Qing’an.

He looked even more haggard than Lin Qingrou, dressed in coarse clothes, his cheeks so sunken there was no flesh left.

“Shen Si, having left my sister, I’m afraid you’ll never find a virtuous and courteous lady like her again, will you?”

I paused, then smiled faintly at the siblings.

“I actually think all the women in this capital are more virtuous and courteous than her.”

As if stimulated by my frankness, Lin Qingrou’s eyes reddened slightly, but she still looked at me contemptuously.

After saying that, I no longer bothered with the siblings and calmly walked past them.

Lin Qing’an roared from behind: “I will definitely pass the imperial examination! My Lin family will definitely be reinstated in office! You’ll regret it then!”

I stood as steady as a mountain and stepped into the examination hall.

The examination questions were not difficult. I had studied hard for a year, and with my previous accumulated knowledge, I was not flustered.

When the results came out, although I only passed in the third class, I was satisfied. After all, there are always people better than you, and I was not a genius.

However, Lin Qing’an, the great talent, actually failed. He looked utterly dejected at the list, then furiously pulled it down and tore it to shreds.

He was then driven out of the city by the officers as if he were insane.

I was in high spirits. My friend celebrated for me, hosting a banquet at Chunfeng Ju.

This news somehow reached the Lin family’s ears.

They came to my door, calling me “virtuous son-in-law” repeatedly, hoping I would reconcile with Lin Qingrou.

I didn’t even show my face.

Enraged, they started rumors that I had latched onto the Prime Minister’s daughter and abandoned my original wife.

I sneered coldly. I barely knew the Prime Minister’s daughter. My connection to the Prime Minister was purely through my friend, Shen Junshan, the Prime Minister’s eldest son. We had met by chance outside, and he had helped me with the restaurant business.

Since they were slandering me like this, Young Master Shen said he would step forward and teach them a lesson.

I shook my head and smiled, “Why dirty Brother Shen’s hands?”

I had Shitou distribute all the letters Lin Qingrou and Qi Xiubai had exchanged, expressing their affection.

And the news that Qi Xiubai had eight concubines before marrying a legitimate wife also spread rapidly through restaurants and teahouses.

The cold and noble young master, the dream lover of so many young ladies in their chambers, actually seduced a married woman and kept eight concubines at home. The reputation of being a philanderer spread through restaurants and teahouses.

In the future, no noblewoman from a prestigious family would be willing to marry into the Qi mansion.

With Young Master Shen supporting me, the Qi family could do nothing to me and blamed all these mistakes on Lin Qingrou.

With her unyielding integrity, how could she endure the pointing fingers from outside and the oppression from the Qi family? She used a white silk sash and hanged herself in Qi Xiubai’s study.

A warming-bed maid, even if she died, no one cared.

The Qi family felt unlucky and even specially invited monks from a temple to hold a three-day and three-night Buddhist ceremony to pray for her soul.

Hearing these things, I still felt somewhat melancholic.
That year, I went to the capital for the imperial examination, and amidst the crowd, I saw Lin Qingrou at a glance.

At that time, she was so beautiful in my eyes, her white dress fairer than snow, truly like an immortal who had stepped out of a beautiful painting.

It wasn’t until our wedding night that everything changed. Her eyes when she looked at me were full of contempt and disdain.

Knowing I was not worthy of her, I used all my strength to give her the best, and I respected her family.

But even so, I still couldn’t warm her heart.

In the end, she got what she wished for, but the proud woman was severely humiliated by her beloved and eventually lost her life in the backyard.

It seems to be karmic retribution.

I had Shitou withdraw the money from the bank, and I reopened the restaurant.

After all, life still had to go on.

(The End)