Song Tingzhu, a frail and sickly illegitimate son of the Song family, was raised in a secluded villa for over a decade due to his weak constitution. One day, in a half-conscious state, he was forcibly stuffed into a carriage by household servants and sent to the Liu family in Yunxi Village to marry in place of his elder sister.
To welcome their new daughter-in-law, the Liu family threw a grand feast. But stepping out of the bridal sedan wasn’t the beloved Song daughter, it was the sickly, unwanted illegitimate son.
And not just unloved, his body was riddled with congenital ailments. A single step made him cough, two steps and he’d faint. Calling him a walking medicine jar wouldn’t be wrong.
Furious at the deception, the Liu family elders prepared to march to the city and demand justice.
But to everyone’s shock, Liu Hu stepped forward and willingly accepted the marriage.
Inside the bridal chamber, with red candles flickering, the weakened Song Tingzhu leaned helplessly into his new husband’s arms. The man gently cleaned his fingertips, holding his wrist with care.
“I won’t live long. Won’t you regret marrying me?”
“I won’t regret it. All I know is that you’re my wife, and from now on, I’ll work hard to earn money and take you to the town for treatment.”
“Fool, ordinary doctors can’t cure me.”
“Then we’ll go to the city. If that’s not enough, I’ll take you to the capital.”
Song Tingzhu gave a soft laugh, thinking he was just trying to make him feel better.
But one month passed, then two…
Watching that “fool” toil every day until he collapsed into sleep the moment his head hit the pillow, yet still insisted on washing him carefully each night before resting—Song Tingzhu, who had long lost the will to live, suddenly found a reason to hold on.
“Wife, here’s today’s wages from working. Keep it safe.”
“Fool, this little bit of silver won’t be enough to hire a royal physician.”
Tingzhu leaned into the man’s chest, grasped his rough, broad hands, and with a smile said:
“Husband, shall I teach you how to do business and make real money?”
Years passed. The Liu family’s business flourished.
Meanwhile, the Song family fell from grace.
In a chance meeting in the city, the once-proud Song eldest daughter was dressed plainly, her face worn and haggard, no longer the arrogant figure of the past.
And the once sickly, unloved Song illegitimate son? Dressed in silks and jewels, glowing with health, accompanied by a considerate and devoted husband envied by all who saw them.
