Chapter 1 You Are Not Even One Ten Thousandth of Her
What does it feel like to suffocate?
My mouth and nose felt like they were being covered by a pair of large hands. I couldn't breathe and my mind went blank.
Lu Zhiran struggled desperately, but only managed to grab something in vain, and was dragged down into the endless abyss.
"Lu Zhiran, have you had enough of this? Shuning is gentle and kind, how could she possibly push you into this?"
"I have already requested an imperial decree for Shuning. The imperial edict will arrive soon. It will be useless for you to commit suicide."
The cold voice hit Lu Zhiran's heart hard, bringing her back to reality.
She really...
Back to ten years ago!
The third year after marrying into the Marquis's Mansion.
Her husband Chu Yian, who had been away at war for three years, finally returned, but brought back a beautiful concubine.
He loved this woman so much that he used all his military achievements to ask for an imperial decree for her.
How could she agree to such a ridiculous thing?
In a rage, she ran to argue with the woman, but was pushed into the water by her and almost drowned.
Chu Yian didn't believe it at all, and was sure that she was the one who staged it herself and deliberately slandered him.
Three years ago, on their wedding day, urgent news came from Xiping that the Qiang Di were invading. Chu Yian did not hesitate to leave his newlywed wife and volunteered to go into battle.
He vowed to Lu Zhiran: "I will achieve military merit, revive my family business, and earn you a royal consort!"
He established his military achievements and earned a title of Consort, but it was not for her.
Having just fallen into the water, Lu Zhiran's face was pale, and her whole body exuded an air of fragility that could not be easily broken.
She looked at the person in front of her quietly, and a hint of sneer appeared at the corner of her lips, "Asking for a decree for me is really the most ridiculous thing in the world."
A flash of anger crossed Chu Yian's face. "I have promoted Shu Ning to be my equal wife. She is not a concubine. Don't insult her like this."
Lu Zhiran's eyes flickered slightly, "Did father and mother agree too?"
Chu Yian's eyes showed a hint of pride, "Of course they agreed. Shu Ning is not an ordinary woman, she is a doctor with outstanding medical skills."
"Years ago, a war broke out between Da Qi and Qiang Di on the border of Xiping. At that time, Xiping was hit by a severe drought and a locust plague. The people had no harvest, and the army was almost cut off from supplies. A strange epidemic also broke out. Thanks to Shu Ning's prescription for curing the epidemic, the soldiers recovered and were able to repel Qiang Di in one fell swoop."
"She has made great contributions. The Emperor praised her as an amazing female physician and appointed her to the Imperial Hospital. We are all proud of her."
Lu Zhiran lowered her eyelids slightly, hiding the emotions in her eyes.
Sure enough, it was exactly the same as in the previous life.
The Chu family, a marquisate that has been passed down for three generations, has fallen into decline and is now nothing but an empty shell.
According to the system, Chu Yian could no longer inherit the title. However, there was still a chance in the current system: if his descendants had significant achievements, they could continue to inherit the title.
Chu Yian, who had finally gained great military achievements, did not want to continue to inherit the title and revitalize the family. Instead, he asked for a decree to confer a title on a concubine. Marquis Xuanping and his wife did not agree at first.
However, Zhao Shuning made great contributions and was highly praised by the emperor. Marquis Xuanping saw that she had a great future, so he changed his attitude and acquiesced to Chu Yian's request for a title.
Will this move put Lu Zhiran, the legal wife, in an awkward position?
They never consider it.
Chu Yian's eyes were filled with tenderness. "These days, she also gave mother acupuncture and cured her migraine headaches that had lasted for many years. She has made an invaluable contribution."
Lu Zhiran raised her eyes and looked directly at him, her gaze clear and sharp.
"For the past three years, I've spent a fortune hiring Dr. Jiang, the Imperial Physician, to treat my mother. I've also personally learned massage techniques, and have been diligently tending to her day and night. This is how my mother's migraines have improved significantly, and now, it's all thanks to her."
Chu Yian's expression froze, and then became even colder.
"You are the daughter-in-law of the Chu family. It is your job to serve your mother-in-law. There is no need to take credit for it."
In their eyes, her efforts were justified.
Lu Zhiran felt nauseous.
"Serving my mother-in-law is my job, but serving her is considered a great achievement? Who is deliberately taking credit for it?"
Chu Yian choked, a hint of anger at being disobeyed flashing across his face.
"When did you become so sarcastic? Shu Ning would never be as selfish and narrow-minded as you. She is the most gentle and kind woman I have ever met. You are not even a ten-thousandth of her."
A surge of hatred welled up in Lu Zhiran's eyes.
Gentle and kind?
Zhao Shuning is clearly the most vicious snake!
In her previous life, she used her medical skills to not only drug herself to make her bear the reputation of being unfaithful, but also poisoned her body bit by bit.
When the last of her property fell into Zhao Shuning's hands, she personally brought a bowl of poison and poured it down her throat.
"My dear sister, you are suffering in this world, so just go and rest in peace. I will take good care of your property for you."
The moment she breathed her last, her eyes widened, and Zhao Shuning's ferocious and complacent face was firmly imprinted in her heart...
Lu Zhiran's breathing quickened a little. She touched her chest to suppress the palpitations.
The maid Cui Fu was very angry, "Master, how could you treat the lady like this? Do you know that the lady did this for you..."
"Tui Fu! No need to say more."
Chu Yian's face was filled with displeasure. "When is it a maid's turn to interrupt the master? Is this how you discipline your servants? Merchants have no rules."
Lu Zhiran's biological mother was born into a merchant family. Merchants have been of low status since ancient times. In her previous life, she was criticized everywhere because of this status and was inferior to others.
Lu Zhiran asked coldly, "I wonder what kind of prestigious family the Zhao family comes from?"
She knew better than anyone that Zhao Shuning was simply an orphan of unknown origin.
If we really talk about her background, she is even worse than me.
Chu Yian was a little annoyed. "You think you can question Shu Ning's identity? No matter her background, she is now the first female imperial physician appointed by the emperor. Who do you think you are?"
Without waiting for Lu Zhiran to speak, he said impatiently, "I'm just here to tell you today. If you want me to give you some dignity as my legal wife, then behave yourself and don't cause trouble for Shuning. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude to you."
After saying these harsh words, Chu Yian turned away.
Cui Fu was sullen. "Madam, why didn't you tell the young master? It wasn't just Aunt Zhao who made contributions in the battle of Xiping. Your contribution was no less than hers!"
Dan Yan was so angry that she wiped away her tears. "Yes, Aunt Zhao only gave me a prescription to cure the epidemic, but the herbs to save lives and the food and supplies for the army were all delivered by the caravan you sent! Without these supplies, what good would the prescription be?"
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