The woman's name was Zhang Yanyan. As her name suggested, she was beautiful and bold in her behavior.
Han Xiuzhe said that he was shot by an arrow and fell unconscious on the battlefield. It was Zhang Yanyan who saved him, healed his wounds, and even helped him earn merit.
"She descended from the sky like a fairy, and I fell in love with her at first sight."
The cave was cold at night, so Zhang Yanyan took off her clothes and hugged him. When Han Xiuzhe woke up, he offered to take responsibility, but she said no.
"I'm not one of those stupid women who would die just because a man looked at my feet. I don't need you to take responsibility. Reputation and chastity are worthless to me."
Han Xiuzhe was already attracted to her at first sight, and now he felt even more enamored with her unique personality.
The two quickly became involved. Han Xiuzhe told Zhang Yanyan that although he was already married, he had no feelings for his wife, who was plain-looking.
He only touched her body because he was trying to save her out of kindness, but she became attached to him, and he was eventually forced to marry her.
"Brother Ze, you're so pitiful. That woman is so ungrateful. No, maybe she fell into the river on purpose, just to get close to you."
"Brother Ze, you're just too naive. Women have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves to marry into a wealthy family, especially those in business. They're incredibly cunning. How could a straight man like you possibly compete with them?"
Han Xiuzhe remained silent and dejected, which Zhang Yanyan interpreted as a tacit admission.
He confessed his love to Zhang Yanyan, and Zhang Yanyan said, "What I want is a lifelong, monogamous relationship. Can you do that?"
Han Xiuzhe's eyes were firm, and he had made up his mind: "Yes."
Thus, the scene of the two returning to the Han residence together came about.
Song Xinlan was struck dumb and fainted on the spot.
When Zhang Yanyan woke up, she had already moved into the Han residence and was living with Han Xiuzhe.
Apart from Hongdou and Lüzhu, all the servants in the mansion looked at her with pitying eyes without any hesitation.
Zhang Yanyan was extremely high-profile, sticking to Han Xiuzhe wherever she went, and she didn't shy away from it in front of others, pouting and asking Han Xiuzhe to "kiss, hug, and lift her up high."
Red Bean and Green Pearl said angrily, "What a shameless vixen! Even the girls in the brothel are not as wanton as her."
Zhang Yanyan overheard this and reported it to Han Xiuzhe. The two maids were beaten half to death, and no matter how much Song Xinlan pleaded to stop it, it was no use.
Although Song Xinlan liked Han Xiuzhe, she was a girl with self-respect and did not humble herself to ask him why he had changed his mind, much less beg for his feelings.
She didn't talk about how much she had sacrificed or suffered over the past three years; she simply began to quietly organize her dowry and belongings.
Now, she understands perfectly well what Han Xiuzhe was after when he married her.
If you're blinded and end up in a dead end, just turn around in time.
Anyway, she still has her loving father and brother, and a home that is always open for her.
However, Han Xiuzhe proposed that Song Xinlan reduce herself to the rank of concubine:
"I love Yan Yan, but we were husband and wife after all. I will allow you to stay by my side. Anyway, with your qualities, being my concubine is not an insult to you."
Song Xinlan looked at the shameless man in front of her and felt extremely disgusted. She spat on his face.
"Pah! I admit I'm blind, but you want me to continue being your moneybag? Dream on! I feel disgusted to spend even one more day with someone like you."
Song Xinlan said, "I want a divorce. I want to get far away from you disgusting people."
"Don't even think about it! Who would want a withered, ugly woman like you without me?"
Han Xiuzhe, enraged that his secret had been exposed, slapped her to the ground.
Divorce would mean that Song Xinlan's dowry and shop would also have to go with her, how could Han Xiuzhe possibly allow that?
The Han family was originally an ordinary family, not a powerful clan. It was only because Han Xiuzhe was lucky enough to save a prince that he was able to join the army.
Later, he went to great lengths to cultivate his position and became a military officer, but he was nothing in the capital city under the emperor's nose.
Because he had no ancestral property and relied solely on his meager salary, he was nothing more than a seemingly respectable but ultimately worthless person.
He also wanted to marry a noblewoman and rise to the top in one step, but given his status, he couldn't even get to see a noblewoman.
Anyone from a higher social class would know that he was a penniless, down-on-his-luck man with a shrewish mother from the countryside.
Given his circumstances, even when powerful and wealthy families were looking for marriage partners for their illegitimate daughters, he wouldn't be considered.
If you can't get the power, you have to settle for second best; having money is good too.
With money, at least you won't have to worry about bribing superiors and giving gifts, and you can live a more comfortable life instead of being so shabby and being ridiculed by your superiors and colleagues.
After careful consideration, he set his sights on Song Xinlan.
The daughter of a merchant is wealthy, and Song's father is known for spoiling his daughter, so her dowry must be substantial.
Her mother died early, and she took care of her younger brother and managed the household chores from a young age. She was virtuous and capable, and could serve her mother well.
She has an average appearance, is still unmarried at an advanced age, and is gentle, sensitive, insecure, and easy to manipulate.
Isn't this just a free nanny who comes with her own gold mine?
He always felt wronged.
Given his status and looks, he should have married a beautiful noblewoman, but now he has to fawn over a merchant's daughter who is plain-looking.
He won her over with just a few simple tricks.
Song Xinlan's presence constantly reminded him of his predicament and self-sacrifice.
So he treated her roughly on their wedding night, but thankfully he left the next day, so she didn't have to face that indifferent face every day anymore.
Before leaving, he instructed Han's mother to properly train her daughter-in-law.
Be critical, suppress, set rules, and ideally train her into an obedient money bag.
In short, this money bag must belong to the Han family; he will absolutely not let it go.
However, Song Xinlan waited for him for three years, taking care of his mother and managing the household. If he were to divorce her as soon as he returned, it would damage his reputation.
It would be better to let her request to be demoted to a concubine herself, on the grounds that she is in poor health and has not conceived in three years, and that she should voluntarily relinquish her position.
This way, the money bag remains with the Han family, and it doesn't affect his reputation—perfect.
Han's mother wanted Zhang Yanyan to be her concubine. It wasn't that she particularly liked Song Xinlan, but as a woman, she hated the vixen who was monopolizing her son.
In Han's mother's eyes, that woman was not as good as Song Xinlan. At least Song Xinlan was rich and respectful to her.
She asked Zhang Yanyan to serve her, but the woman rolled her eyes and her face said, "Who do you think you are, you old hag, that I have to serve you?"
Han's mother was furious, but the woman looked wronged and snuggled into her son's arms, making her son feel sorry for her.
After learning of Han Xiuzhe's suggestion, Zhang Yanyan persisted in her objections:
"One life, one love, one partner is my bottom line. She must leave. I will not allow a third party between us, not even a concubine."
Han Xiuzhe wanted to say that concubines were just toys; it was because of these toys that his family was able to live such a luxurious life.
But he's a man, and he can't bring himself to talk about being a kept man in front of the person he likes.
Song Xinlan was determined to get a divorce, and Han Xiuzhe, fearing that the news would leak out, had no choice but to lock her in the woodshed.
Green Pearl and Red Bean wanted to deliver a letter to Song's father, but they were also detained.
Han Xiuzhe hadn't expected that Song Xinlan, who was gentle and adoring him, would be so stubborn. He thought he could coax her into agreeing.
Now, in order to protect his wealth and reputation and continue living a life of luxury, he has no choice but to go all the way.
In the dead of winter, Song Xinlan fell seriously ill after spending a day in the woodshed.
During this time, Hongdou was falsely accused of tampering with things and was ordered to be beaten to death.
Green Pearl tried to sneak back to the Song mansion for help, but was caught by the steward and suffered disgusting humiliation before her death.
Han Xiuzhe told Song Xinlan all of this.
On the third night, Song Xinlan died in the cold woodshed, her eyes wide open in death.
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