Ch 134 (Extra 16): Reborn to Raise My Husband

Zhao Guangzong & Jiang Tangtuan (IV)

Recently, Jiang Lingyun noticed that among those coming and going from the Jiang residence, there was an unfamiliar young man.

Well-built, upright in bearing.

Finding it strange, he asked around.

He learned that the man’s surname was Zhao, a scholar who had recently taken an official post as county assistant in Feng County. He was said to be a friend of Young Master Jiang.

But after Young Master Jiang’s marriage, he had gone to the capital with his wife—so why was this Zhao county assistant visiting the residence so frequently when the master himself was not there?

And moreover, he was a young man of good appearance.

Jiang Lingyun began to suspect something, though upon hearing that Zhao Guangzong was only a juren who had entered official service through appointment and was now in Jinling, he felt there was no need for excessive concern.

Although Zhao Guangzong already held office, his position as a county assistant was of low rank.

A mere county assistant—who knew how many years it would take before he could climb higher? And a juren without exceptional achievement could at most rise to the level of a prefect.

Even though a prefect was not a small position and already beyond the reach of many officials, once one entered officialdom, who did not harbor ambition? Who would willingly accept such limits placed on their future so early?

If one lacked greater aspirations, that would be one thing. But the Jiang family had been officials for generations—how could they possibly choose a mere juren-appointed official as a son-in-law?

Thinking this through, he felt much more at ease.

Still, seeing that the Jiang family seemed to be considering more than one candidate, he became even more attentive than before.

He also carefully instructed his family that during this period they must be cautious in speech and conduct. As for his cousin from the Liu family, he told them to have her remain quietly at home and not go out unnecessarily.

Within a few days, Old Master Jiang summoned him to the residence, saying there was an important matter to discuss.

Jiang Lingyun had been interacting with the Jiang family for one or two years now. Translated on Hololo novels. Seeing how serious Old Master Jiang appeared, he felt a surge of anticipation.

It seemed that the matter was finally about to be settled.

Thinking of how, with the Jiang family as his in-laws, his official career would not necessarily be effortless, but would certainly become far smoother, a wave of delight rose in his heart.

“Lingyun, you have been under my guidance for quite some time now. Your learning is solid, and you are diligent and motivated. I hold you in high regard.”

Receiving the praise, Jiang Lingyun quickly said, “This student is dull and often confused in his studies. Without your guidance, I would not have been able to improve.”

Old Master Jiang, in truth, still favored Jiang Lingyun more. After all, he had taken a liking to him at first sight, and over the past two years of interaction, their rapport was naturally deeper than with Zhao Guangzong, who had only recently appeared.

Thus, when it came to questioning and testing, he first summoned Jiang Lingyun.

“You are modest. If you remain true to your original intentions, you will surely have a promising future.”

After a pause, Old Master Jiang said slowly, “I wonder whether you would be willing to become closer with the Jiang family.”

Hearing this, Jiang Lingyun could not hide his delight. As expected.

He immediately replied, “It is already my fortune to receive your favor. You have treated me with such kindness—if I may become closer with the Jiang family, I would gladly do whatever you ask.”

Seeing his ready agreement and undisguised joy, Old Master Jiang felt satisfied.

“The Jiang family is not one of crooked ways—we would never ask you to do anything improper. My wife and I have only one ge’er, Tangtuan. Whether it is myself, my wife, or his elder brother, we all cherish him deeply.”

“We must find him someone reliable to care for him. Only then can our family be at ease.”

Jiang Lingyun said, “Young Master Jiang is gentle and of fine temperament, a rare person indeed. If I were to have such a ge’er, I would treasure him and care for him with utmost devotion, never letting him suffer the slightest grievance.”

Old Master Jiang looked at him. “Can you truly do as you say?”

“If I break this vow, may my future be ruined.”

Old Master Jiang seized the moment. “Then if you are required to have only him for your entire life—no concubines, no outside companions—can you also do that?”

Jiang Lingyun had clearly not expected such a condition from the usually agreeable Jiang family. He froze.

His family’s plan had been for him to secure the Jiang family first. Once married to Jiang Tangtuan and backed by such a powerful household, everything would be settled. At that point, he would bring his cousin into the household as a secondary wife.

After all, it was normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines. Even if he had not yet risen high in office, with his juren status, taking a concubine would not be unusual.

Even if the Jiang family were displeased, they could not stop him. And since Tangtuan would already be married to him, if they wanted him to treat him well, they would still need to support his career.

Only his cousin would be wronged, unable to become the principal wife.

But he would compensate her well.

Everything had been carefully planned—who could have expected the Jiang family to make such a demand?

Jiang Lingyun’s expression shifted slightly. Translated on Hololo novels. He knew he could not refuse outright, yet a verbal promise would not bind him.

At worst, he could later claim the Liu family’s past kindness and insist on marrying his cousin out of obligation.

He said, “When parents love their child, they plan for them far into the future. Your concern for Young Master Jiang is the care of a loving father. This student will follow your arrangements in all things.”

Old Master Jiang felt pleased. For the moment, he still found Jiang Lingyun acceptable.

But he also knew that spoken promises were the most worthless of all. He immediately raised a hand, signaling for brush, ink, and paper to be brought.

“Since you have made such assurances, I am gratified.”

He continued, “You will one day serve as an official. You must understand that words are not as reliable as written commitments. What do you think?”

Seeing the brush, ink, and the red ink for thumbprints, Jiang Lingyun was completely stunned.

He should have known that a family of officials would not be so easily deceived.

For a moment, he had no way out.

If he signed rashly, the marriage might succeed—but he would be bound never to take concubines or keep outside companions, effectively cutting off his future options.

To make his cousin a concubine was already a grievance. If she were left without status or forced to marry another, the Liu family would never agree.

If matters escalated, his reputation would be ruined, and the Jiang family would not let him off lightly either.

But if he refused, it would reveal his lack of sincerity, and the Jiang family would certainly not give Tangtuan to him.

He was being pushed into a corner.

After a brief pause, Jiang Lingyun picked up the brush.

With flowing strokes, he wrote out a vow. Seeing that he dared to write it, Old Master Jiang felt he had not misjudged him.

But when it came time to press his thumbprint, Jiang Lingyun said, “Though I sincerely mean what I have written, marriage is not something I can decide alone. Let me first record this promise. Once I return home and inform my parents, I will then press my thumbprint as a guarantee to you and the young master.”

Hearing this, Old Master Jiang showed neither anger nor approval.

He stroked his beard, looking at Jiang Lingyun with a thoughtful gaze.

Jiang Lingyun quickly added, “Filial piety comes first among all virtues. My family is poor—my parents endured much hardship to support my studies to this point. Though in my heart I fully agree with your wishes, I do not dare decide such matters on my own without consulting them.”

Old Master Jiang laughed. “Look at how anxious you are. Since you are willing to write this promise, it shows sincerity. And you are right—filial piety comes first. One must consider one’s parents.”

“You are calm and thoughtful in your decisions. That is a good quality.”

Jiang Lingyun let out a breath. “Thank you for your understanding. I will return and inform my parents at once.”

He knew he could not settle the matter hastily. He needed to stabilize the situation first, then discuss it with his parents and decide on a strategy.

Seeing that Old Master Jiang was not angered, but even somewhat understanding, he finally felt reassured.

After exchanging a few more words, Jiang Lingyun took his leave.

“Hmph. His words sound so good—willing to do anything, agree to everything. But the moment something real is required, his expression changes. I don’t think he is a suitable match at all.”

Madam Jiang had been observing from the inner chamber. Jiang Lingyun’s performance had clearly displeased her.

“Good thing A-Yuan came up with this plan. Otherwise, we would never have seen his true character.”

Old Master Jiang was clearly far more composed than Madam Jiang.

“He is a young man. To demand that he never take concubines or keep outside companions for the rest of his life is already asking much of him. That he was willing to agree is better than most. And what he said is not wrong—how could he not inform his parents?”

“We are parents ourselves. If Tangyuan had a major matter and made the decision without telling us, how would you feel?”

Madam Jiang fell silent. The reasoning was sound, yet she still felt somewhat displeased.

“Very well, defend him if you wish. Let us see what he says next.”

Two or three days passed after that, and the Jiang family still had not seen Jiang Lingyun return.

Though Old Master Jiang favored him, he would not allow himself to be kept waiting like this. Translated on Hololo novels. Since Jiang Lingyun could not promptly give an answer, then before anything was decided, he could hardly blame them for considering someone else.

The next day, he summoned Zhao Guangzong.

Tangtuan knew his father had already met with Jiang Lingyun. Now that Zhao Guangzong had come, he pleaded with Madam Jiang to let him listen to what he would say.

Madam Jiang could not refuse him. She thought that if Zhao Guangzong also proved unreliable, simply telling Tangtuan afterward might still leave him clinging to false hopes. It would be better for him to hear it himself—if there was something lacking, there would be no need for the family to say more.

So she allowed him to listen from the inner room.

Old Master Jiang asked Zhao Guangzong the same questions he had asked Jiang Lingyun.

“My Zhao family comes from a farming background, of humble status, unworthy of matching the Jiang household. Yet you, sir, are upright and without prejudice toward rank.”

Zhao Guangzong had visited the Jiang residence several times, but this was the first time Old Master Jiang had spoken so plainly. Startled, he immediately rose and said respectfully, “Even so, I still worry that I might wrong the gongzi. If I am fortunate enough to marry him, I will care for him wholeheartedly. Even if you had not raised the matter, I have no intention of taking concubines.”

Old Master Jiang, having heard Jiang Lingyun’s many vows before, expected Zhao Guangzong would also swear something similar.

But hearing that he had no such intentions from the start, he was somewhat surprised.

“You truly think this way?”

Zhao Guangzong answered respectfully, “My parents live in harmony and have never taken concubines or kept outside companions. I wish to follow their example.”

He spoke sincerely. Some might say that the Zhao family had no concubines simply because they lacked wealth.

But he had seen Qi Beinan—powerful, successful, and well-off—yet still devoted to Bao ge’er alone.

In that way, the household was peaceful, and their bond deep. He thought this was good.

Hearing this, Old Master Jiang felt a quiet satisfaction.

“And if you were required to put this into writing, would you still keep your promise?”

“Of course. Otherwise, would it not be empty words?”

From behind, Tangtuan watched as Zhao Guangzong took up the brush without hesitation, wrote the agreement, and pressed his thumbprint in red ink—all in one smooth motion.

Seeing his decisiveness, Tangtuan pressed his lips together, though the corners of his mouth still lifted.

Madam Jiang smiled softly and said, “This foolish boy is far more devoted than that one from the Jiang family.”

Old Master Jiang, however, said, “You decide so readily without consulting your parents? If they object, would that not be unfilial?”

“Jiang gongzi is from a distinguished family, gentle in temperament—a most suitable match. If such a match falls to me, how could I not show sincerity?”

“If my parents do not agree, yet I simply wish to reap the benefits, would that not be foolish?”

“Filial piety comes first, but that does not mean right and wrong should be entirely subject to one’s parents. If so, whether it is blind obedience or not, a man who stands upright should already have established himself. If I still cannot judge matters for myself or make decisions, how could I support a household?”

After saying this, Zhao Guangzong added, somewhat embarrassed, “Beyond all that, I personally hold affection for Jiang gongzi.”

“One heart can hold only one person. There is no room for another. Thus, I do not see taking him as my wife without concubines as any hardship. If my parents object over the lack of heirs through concubines, then for the one I care for, I should be the one to persuade them—not let him suffer for it.”

“For this, no matter what, I am willing to make this commitment.”

After hearing him out, Old Master Jiang looked at him deeply.

He had not expected such words.

Before, he had thought Jiang Lingyun’s hesitation was understandable. But now, comparing the two, Jiang Lingyun’s sincerity seemed lacking.

Only through comparison could one truly see the difference.

Zhao Guangzong appeared gentle, yet he was someone who could stand firm.

Such a man was one who could be relied upon for life.

“You see things clearly and have your own convictions.”

Old Master Jiang did not immediately state his decision, but when Zhao Guangzong left, he allowed Tangtuan to escort him out.

“You’ve been smiling all this while. Is there something making you happy?”

From the moment he saw Tangtuan, Zhao Guangzong’s gaze had not left him.

Tangtuan’s face flushed slightly. “I heard everything you said to Father.”

Zhao Guangzong paused. “You…”

“Then… are you willing?”

Tangtuan felt as though a small bird was fluttering in his chest.

Instead of answering directly, he gently brushed the back of Zhao Guangzong’s hand.

The meaning was clear without words.

Zhao Guangzong wanted to hold that warm, soft hand, but restrained himself within the Jiang residence.

He did not want to lose the goodwill he had just gained from Old Master Jiang.

“I only wonder whether Master Jiang and Madam will agree to our matter.”

Tangtuan said, “If they did not, why would they allow me to openly come and see you off?”

Zhao Guangzong could not help but ask, “Did you also see off Jiang juren?”

At this, Tangtuan withdrew his hand from where it touched Zhao Guangzong’s and said, “What sort of person do you take me for? Setting aside that he did not satisfy Father—even if he had, if Father told me to see him off, I would not have gone.”

Hearing this, Zhao Guangzong felt a great sense of relief and happiness.

“I knew you favored me.”

“Who says I favor you? I only listen to my family.”

Zhao Guangzong said, “If not for you standing on my side, I’m afraid Master Jiang would not even have agreed to see me.”

He knew well that Tangtuan must have played a part in it.

Jiang Tangtuan felt happy as well.

But he was also a little worried. “Nothing has been settled yet. I’m afraid he might still try to persuade Father with clever words and cause trouble.”

Zhao Guangzong replied, “Don’t worry. He won’t have another chance to talk his way through it.”

After returning home, Jiang Lingyun told his parents everything that had happened at the Jiang residence.

Upon hearing it, his father and mother were quite angered, loudly cursing the Jiang family for bullying others with their power.

“What man is expected to keep only one wife? Does the Jiang family really think their ge’er is some heavenly being?”

“This cannot be agreed to. That Jiang ge’er looks frail and sickly, hardly someone suited to bearing children. If we accept their terms, what will happen to the Jiang family line?”

“I say the Jiang family must know their own ge’er cannot bear children, which is why they’ve come up with such a scheming demand to protect him.”

Jiang Lingyun listened to his parents’ tirade, but found their words ultimately useless.

“So, does that mean we abandon the Jiang marriage altogether?”

At this, his parents fell silent.

Their anger came from the collapse of what had been a perfect plan.

But to give up the Jiang family entirely felt like cutting flesh from their own bodies.

Yet if they did not, the Liu family would be difficult to explain to.

The whole family was troubled.

After several days of consideration, Jiang Lingyun’s parents came up with a compromise.

They would go to the Jiang family and propose adding a condition to the written agreement: if Jiang gongzi did not bear a child within three years, Jiang Lingyun must still be allowed to take a concubine.

At the same time, they would go to the Liu family and promise to bring Cousin Liu into the household after three years.

Once the marriage was secured, everything else could be negotiated.

Jiang Lingyun felt the plan was not entirely proper, yet he could think of no better solution.

But just as he prepared himself and went to the Jiang residence to present his parents’ proposal, he found his cousin from the Liu family standing outside the gates, crying.

Startled, he rushed forward, intending to take her away—but before he could, several servants from the Jiang household came out and brought her inside.

Jiang Lingyun hurried after them, trying to enter, but was stopped at the gate.

“So you’ve finally shown yourself, Jiang juren. These past few days, no one could find you. Yet your unknown cousin has come here, crying at the gate as though the Jiang family had done something shameful.”

“The master and madam have already invited her inside. You’d best not try to force your way in.”

“Steward Zhou, please grant me this favor. There must be some misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding? She came saying she is your betrothed cousin from your hometown—and she even brought a token as proof.”

The steward looked at Jiang Lingyun with disgust. “If there’s a misunderstanding, go settle it at the magistrate’s office.”

With that, he spat. “Ungrateful climber, shutting the gate!”

The doors were closed, leaving Jiang Lingyun outside, anxious as an ant on a hot pan, yet helpless.

No matter how he pleaded, the guards ignored him. With no choice, he had to return home to inform his parents.

—

“When he was young, his family was poor, barely able to get by. There was no money for his studies. As a child, he would cut grass and pass by a private school, listening outside the door. Unexpectedly, he had talent, and learned to read that way.”

“The teacher said he was gifted, and if he studied properly, he might have a great future. So the Jiang family borrowed money everywhere to support his education. My family is related to him, and though we are not wealthy, we could at least afford food, so my father funded his studies.”

“For over ten years we supported him. He promised to marry me as repayment for the Liu family’s kindness. We exchanged tokens, and I waited patiently for him.”

“But after he went to Jinling and passed the examination, he told me that a great family had chosen him as a son-in-law, and I could only become a concubine.”

“I was heartbroken, but what could I do? Without power or status, I could only accept it. Yet even that was not enough for him—now he refuses even to take me as a concubine and wishes to sever all ties.”

“My body and heart already belong to him. If he abandons me for a higher match, how can I go on living?”

“I have no choice but to beg you, sir, to grant me a way to live.”

Cousin Liu wept bitterly, her story deeply moving.

Hearing all this, Old Master Jiang was furious.

If she were lying, she still held a genuine token of betrothal.

No wonder Jiang Lingyun had hesitated to sign the agreement that day, speaking of consulting his parents—he had been wavering between two sides, unable to decide.

When first asked about marriage, he had answered so confidently. Who would have thought that for the sake of advancement, he would go this far?

He had seemed so modest and honest, yet his schemes ran deep.

Old Master Jiang could not help but regret his own carelessness, having trusted him at face value without investigating thoroughly.

Now it had turned into such a disgrace.

Fortunately, Tangtuan had not actually been promised to him.

“The Jiang family never intended to take him as a son-in-law. I merely respected him as a scholar. Go back and tell him—our ge’er is already betrothed. He is to mind his words and not speak nonsense again, or I will not be lenient!”

“Thank you for your mercy, sir.”

Cousin Liu kowtowed repeatedly.

—

When Jiang Tangtuan heard of the matter, he hurried back home. Madam Jiang was reclining on a couch, still recovering from anger.

“Your father, that fool—after half a lifetime as an official, he was still deceived by such a young man. What a disgrace.”

“Are Mother and Father alright?”

“It’s nothing serious,” Madam Jiang said. “Luckily, we did not promise you to him.”

After a pause, she added, “Your father has already decided—you will marry Zhao Guangzong. A letter has come from the estate in Ling County. It says the Zhao family is honest and upright. Zhao Guangzong was personally approved by your brother, and Qi tanhua has also vouched for his character. No matter what, he is far better than Jiang Lingyun.”

Tangtuan had not expected that after all this turmoil, his father would make up his mind about Guangzong.

For a moment, he did not know what to say.

He recalled Zhao Guangzong’s words that Jiang Lingyun would have no chance to argue again, and could not help but wonder—had he already known about Cousin Liu all along?

But no matter what, his wish had been fulfilled. His heart was filled with countless emotions.

Of course he was happy, but he did not quite know how to express it.

The first thing he thought of was to write a letter to Bao ge’er.

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