Substitute Marriage

Many years had passed since the death of the late emperor and empress. The wet nurse who used to comfort her during thunderstorms had also passed away last month. Her uncle was busy with state affairs, and her aunt and cousin both had their own children and families while she was left all alone.

Despite possessing wealth and luxury, and envied by everyone, she was soaked in endless loneliness. That’s why she hoped to have a harmonious relationship with her husband, creating a complete family.

Thinking of this, Xiao Lan couldn’t help but tighten her grip around her husband’s waist, absorbing the warmth from his body, like a trickle of a warm current. The warmth enveloped her limbs and body, isolating her from the merciless thunder outside.

After the waves of thunder, heavy rain hit the window frames, creating a tapping sound. After a while, the thunder subsided, and the rain poured down fiercely. Xiao Lan curled up on her husband, waiting, until the outside turned into a light drizzle. The fear from her childhood nightmares finally dissipated with the rain.

Lost in the moment, Xiao Lan awkwardly said, “Thank you.”

“Lan’er has already said, we are husband and wife,” Wei Jin imitated her and said, “As husband and wife, there is no need for thanks.”

Xiao Lan’s chilled heart gradually warmed, but lying down for too long made her legs numb. She couldn’t get up on her own for a while. Thinking about asking her husband for help, she reconsidered, seeing it as an opportunity to break the ice.

The person beneath her spoke again, “Lan’er, don’t be afraid. From now on, I’ll be here on stormy nights.”

Whether it was Xiao Lan’s illusion or the rain outside causing confusion, her husband’s voice seemed hoarser than usual, as if he were holding back something. She softly responded with an affirmative sound.

The candle flame burned steadily, reflecting the passionate blood in Wei Jin’s veins. The steep snow peaks in front of him trembled, and beneath the lava-like molten flames, Xiao Lan’s thoughts surged, climbing toward the snow peaks within arm’s reach but untouchable.

The numbness compelled Xiao Lan to release her grip. As she tried to prop herself up, she didn’t notice what she touched, simply wanting to use it for support.

Wei Jin abruptly moved Xiao Lan’s soft and almost boneless hand away, stood up, and gently helped her sit up.

The unfocused molten lava invaded his sea of consciousness. He leaned over her, and their contact through the bedding had already broken the previous taboos.

Suddenly, Xiao Lan realized what she had touched, and her face turned as red as a ripe cherry. Images from the little book flashed through her mind, and her heart rose to her throat because she confirmed one thing: her husband was indeed capable!

Her shy speculations roamed in her eyes, a mix of known expectations and a yearning for the kind of loving relationship her late father and mother had.

Wei Jin understood deeply; his eyes reflected the person who had occupied Xiao Lan’s thoughts for half her life. He wanted to greedily cast aside everything, possess her regardless of consequences, even if only for once. But a voice in his mind cruelly warned him: You don’t deserve it!

The red candle burned hot, and as the warmth spread into the bed curtains, Xiao Lan’s face gradually turned hot. She cleared her throat, and her small hand attempted to touch her husband.

However…

“It’s getting late, Lan’er should rest first. I still have official business to attend to.” Wei Jin took a deep breath, suppressed all restlessness, and turned away to leave the bed.

As he moved away, a sudden lightness filled Xiao Lan. A chill came in from outside the curtains, instantly dispelling the warmth. Xiao Lan, stunned for a moment, propped herself up with her elbow. Her husband had already left, leaving behind fleeing footsteps, and the coldness and absurdity of just moments ago enveloped her like trapped air, making her suffocate.

Two days later.

Xiao Ming’s dowry escort returned to the capital with twenty carts, delivering the dowry intact. She said everything that could be moved had been moved, and what couldn’t be moved had all been dismantled, leaving not a single iota for other women. As for her two sons, she wasn’t worried at all; they were the darlings of their adoptive father and mother, and everything revolved around them. If she had any concerns, it was for those illegitimate sons.

Guards and palace maids were busy unloading the cargo. Xiao Ming sat on the high pavilion of the artificial mountain, eating pastries and watching the guards, who were as strong as bulls, sweating profusely. She found it quite amusing.

The golden light enveloped the pavilion, dispelling the autumn chill. She looked at Xiao Lan, who seemed absent-minded, always daydreaming. So she asked, “Are you having a quarrel with him?”

After last night’s experience, Xiao Lan had completely let go, and she replied, “If we can get along, we will. If we can’t, we’ll separate.”

She didn’t want to experience that kind of embarrassment again in this lifetime. In the world, there were countless couples without love or affection; her uncle and aunt were a perfect example. It showed that forcing love between husband and wife was futile. And without expectations, she felt unusually relaxed and at ease.

Seeing through Xiao Lan’s calm tone, Xiao Ming’s alarm bells rang loudly. A woman’s intuition told her that her niece must have been hurt by her nephew-in-law.

“If you really want to separate, don’t show up. I’ll go to the palace and talk to your uncle!”

Despite the current laws of the dynasty, the Marquis might have an official title but no real power. Unless there were major faults, it would be difficult for a princess to divorce. Otherwise, Xiao Ming wouldn’t have waited until now. Xiao Lan had already given up, but her niece was still young, and she couldn’t let her follow the same path.

“There’s no need for that.” Xiao Lan understood Xiao Ming’s well-intentioned concerns, but her aunt had just become a widow. If she stepped in for her, it wouldn’t be conducive to her stability in the capital. She had eased her intention to get close to her husband after that night, but it hadn’t reached the point of no return.

At that moment, Xiao Ming’s shadow guard appeared, kneeling outside the pavilion.

Xiao Lan looked up in confusion, and Xiao Ming smiled affectionately, “A man’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. If he really wants to hide something, ordinary means won’t work.”

Putting away her smile, she asked the shadow guard, “Did you find anything?”

“Prince Consort Wei Jin has a mistress. She resides in a house in the Gyro Alley.”
……..
An inconspicuous carriage slowly traversed through the bustling streets of the capital. The crowded market buzzed with activity. But not only did Xiao Lan change the carriage, she also had the accompanying guards switch to casual attire. At such a critical moment, she still preserved that man’s dignity!

Xiao Ming sneered, “Everyone in the capital should know that Wei Jin is no good! Let’s see who dares to marry their daughters into the Wei family!”

The late Marquis Wei had three brothers and one sister. Among them, there were numerous unmarried daughters and prospective sons-in-law. The legitimate eldest son of the second branch, Wei Jue, was also an outstanding figure and had been in contact with the daughter of Duke Ronguo, Qiu He. Any exposure of this scandal would undoubtedly impact him.

Taking a concubine required discretion, especially since the princess had not yet given birth. If the marquis kept a mistress, it would implicate all the male members of the Wei family…..

Xiao Lan ordered her palace maid Cui Zhu to roll up the curtain. Sunlight squeezed in, warming the carriage, and a gentle breeze brushed against their faces,

“Since we began the relationship on good terms, then we should end it on good terms,” She lowered her eyes, a hint of a wry smile on her lips, and looked helplessly at Xiao Ming. “After all, he saved my life. Even if it’s repaying a favor, as long as we don’t owe each other, it’s fine.”

Reluctantly, she still held a glimmer of hope, wishing that the information was a mistake.

Xiao Ming pursed her lips but remained silent. Making a scene was not only embarrassing but also shameful. In her youthful arrogance, she didn’t understand that mutual destruction was meaningless.

In Daqi, there was no legal support for keeping a mistress. While it was a crime for a marquis to have a concubine, the imperial prince would at most be rebuked with a few words openly and secretly let Xiao Lan come to terms with it.

Not making a fuss might lead to a breakthrough. Xiao Lan might seem soft on the surface, but internally, she was a resilient and determined person.

The noise gradually subsided, and the crowds dispersed. Old and short tiled houses and uneven stone walls dominated the scene.

Xiao Ming and Xiao Lan exchanged glances for a moment before both looked out the window. Xiao Ming sneered, “Is this how mistresses are entertained nowadays?”

Xiao Lan shared the same doubt.

Any woman choosing this path had prepared for a long-term battle in the shadows, using the pretext of deep love to seek a stable and lasting relationship. Without official recognition, comfortable enjoyment became indispensable. In such a poverty-stricken place, which woman would be bought and willingly become a mistress?

The carriage turned into an alley and stopped in front of a quiet and secluded courtyard. Regaining her composure, Xiao Lan and Xiao Ming got off.

The shadow guard raised his hand to knock on the door, and the door wasn’t latched. With one knock, the two doors opened.

It was a four-section courtyard.

The ground was clean, free of dust, and a row of perilla plants lined the walls. Water droplets rolled off the branches and leaves, indicating that someone had watered them not long ago. The shadow guard and palace guards split up to search, creating a cacophony of footsteps, opening and closing doors.

Xiao Lan and Xiao Ming sat on stone benches under the shade of a tree, waiting. Cui Zhu brought pastries and water from the carriage.

Half an hour passed, and the sun subtly moved westward. The tree’s shade shifted over their heads, the heat covering them. Xiao Lan raised her hand to use a handheld fan, asking Cui Zhu to fetch a silk umbrella.

Just as the shadow guard returned, “No one is inside, but we found these.”

He and the palace guard brought several bamboo boxes and placed them on the ground. Opening the lids, they revealed men’s and women’s clothing. There was also a box securely locked. The palace guard used an iron tool to pry it open.

“These items aren’t enough to prove he has a mistress.” Xiao Ming picked up a few gowns, lifting them high above her head.

When the hem surpassed her head, she exclaimed, “This mistress is tall and strong! Is she a stone pillar?!”

Xiao Lan picked up men’s robes from one of the bamboo boxes and felt something was off with just one glance.

Her husband stood tall and majestic, but this set of men’s clothing, from top to bottom, exuded frailty, unable to contain the majestic presence of her husband. It looked more like clothing for a teenager.