When Wu Caiwei, clad in her phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, ascended to the highest position with Zhao Yunfei, she finally understood why everyone throughout history had yearned for such a place. It was a feeling of having everything under one's command.
In less than a month, from stranger to familiarity, she had grasped every detail of the imperial harem.
Following the turmoil of the previous incident, many palaces lay empty and uninhabited due to countless casualties.
The Sixth Prince had once been an overlooked existence. Not only did he lack a legitimate consort, but he had no concubines either. Many ministers had submitted memorials, urging him to hold a selection of imperial consorts. Some did so for the sake of royal lineage, while others wished to send their daughters or relatives into the harem.
Zhao Yunfei, upon seeing these memorials, directly declared before all the court officials: he would take no concubines in this life; he and his Imperial Consort would be a couple for eternity.
"Your Majesty, you cannot..."
"For the sake of the empire and its future, the Sixth Prince should extensively take concubines and procreate."
"There has never been such a precedent in history..."
Zhao Yunfei heard a roar from below, and the discussion began to swirl. Some ministers immediately knelt, offering remonstrances. Having anticipated this situation, his face showed no alteration. He waved his hand sternly, "My decision is made. Do not try to persuade me further."
With that, he turned and left without observing their reactions.
Although they ultimately could not sway Zhao Yunfei, they still believed he was acting out of a momentary impulse. What man could resist temptation? They would see in ten or twenty years.
The Prime Minister's wife sent people out daily to inquire about Wu Caiwei. Upon learning of the Sixth Prince's favor towards her, her illness worsened.
Some astute individuals, aware of the future Empress's feud with the Lin family, began to suppress the Lin family's businesses at every turn. Before long, their expenditures far outweighed their income.
However, the members of the Lin family had grown accustomed to a life of luxury. It is said that it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. The Lin family could not escape this timeless law. Even in their dire straits, they refused to reduce their ostentatious lifestyle.
Despite her severe illness, the Prime Minister's wife had to force herself to sit up and review the account books, unwilling to believe that the manor was out of money. But the reality was just that.
In her desperation, she sold two shops and summoned her son and daughter-in-law, instructing them to be frugal. Unfortunately, they paid no heed to her words, deeming her too stingy and accusing her of withholding their living expenses. Whenever anything displeased them, they would storm into her courtyard, shouting and causing a commotion.
As the Lin manor's assets dwindled and her son and daughter-in-law continued to cause disturbances, the Prime Minister's wife's spirits soured, and her illness grew worse, reaching a point where preparations for her funeral had to be made.
When news of the Prime Minister's wife's death reached Wu Caiwei, she was momentarily stunned. The formidable presence she had once perceived as a mountain had now crumbled.
Without the Prime Minister's wife, the few remaining members of the Lin family divided the household amidst their bickering and squabbling. They quickly squandered the inherited money and were soon forced to rely on the generosity of the younger son's in-laws for their meager sustenance.
Wu Caiwei pondered for a moment, then ordered someone to break the legs of the Second Young Master Lin, ensuring he would be bedridden for the rest of his life.
Confident that their future lives would be difficult, she shifted her attention back to the imperial court. Together, they forged a prosperous and peaceful era.
As in her previous lives, they had only one son. When their son was capable of handling state affairs, they passed the heavy burden onto him and traveled extensively across the land.
As they left this world one after the other, a transparent bottle appeared before Wu Caiwei, surrounded by a shimmering golden light.
The original host, as a token of gratitude, had imbued a ray of golden light that perfectly covered the bottom of the bottle.
The moment she returned to modern times, she chose to enter her next mission.
"What are you thinking? This is a rare and excellent marriage opportunity. Once this chance passes, it won't come again," a middle-aged man asked her with a scrutinizing gaze.
Wu Caiwei, wanting to quickly absorb the memories and understand the situation, clutched her stomach and ran out, saying apologetically, "Nature calls. I'll be back to explain."
By sheer coincidence, she managed to find a privy.
Upon learning the truth, she couldn't help but sigh, reflecting on the tragic experiences of every cannon fodder character.
As soon as she entered the main room, the original host's aunt, Li Shi, eagerly pressed, "Have you considered it?"
"Not at all. I do not agree to this marriage," Wu Caiwei stated, delivering an answer that completely astonished them.
"How can you disagree? The Ye family is a prominent wealthy merchant. To secure this good match, your uncle not only leveraged his connections but also spent money. If it weren't for our own children, who would be so diligent?" Li Shi's voice involuntarily rose. In her impression, her niece was a docile girl who always obeyed her elders. She had expected the matter to be settled quickly, but instead, it was met with opposition.
"If the marriage were truly so good, why aren't Jiangning and Jiangyu, who are closer in age, being married off? Why is this marriage being pushed onto me?" Wu Caiwei feigned incomprehension, looking at them.
Hearing her mention her precious daughters, Li Shi's expression darkened. Then, with a sigh, she said resignedly, "Your father and my husband are brothers. When your father was on his deathbed, he entrusted you to your uncle's care. He always placed your well-being before ours, and he thought of you first whenever there was any good fortune."
"My uncle and aunt care for me so deeply, they wouldn't force me, right? Now I'm telling you clearly, I do not agree." Wu Caiwei emphasized again.
Jiang Yongnian slapped the table, "Rebellious! Utterly rebellious! I have already agreed to this matter. Whether you agree or not, you will marry."
"Even if I disagree, you insist on me marrying. Without knowing the truth, one might think you are selling your niece," Wu Caiwei remarked casually.
Li Shi's five fingers unconsciously tightened. After a careful observation, seeing no unusual expression on her face, she relaxed, relieved that she hadn't noticed.
After a moment's thought, she said earnestly, "You are still young and know nothing. We are truly doing this for your own good. You will be grateful in the future."
"Why are you still talking to her? Such an ungrateful wretch, wasting all our sincerity. This matter is irreversible. We will tie her to the sedan chair if necessary." With that, he grabbed Li Shi's hand and turned to leave.
Wu Caiwei watched their enraged figures depart, calmly pouring herself a cup of tea.
Even without the original host's memories, she knew this marriage was problematic. Why would a prominent wealthy merchant like the Ye family set their sights on a peasant girl like her? Marriages have always been about matching social standing since ancient times. Since the Ye family was lowering their standards, there must be something wrong with Young Master Ye.
Moreover, knowing the cause and effect of the situation, Wu Caiwei absolutely could not marry into that family.
The original host, Jiang Hanyue, was born in Yunshui Village, a small village not far from Ning'an County.
When she was two years old, her mother died of illness. Within two years, her father also passed away. She grew up with her paternal grandparents.