After the banquet ended, Lady Hou reproached the Marquis, "Didn't we agree to buy a grand residence for Zhaozhao?"
"Why did you immediately drop the idea the moment Duan Jinxing refused?"
"By the time Duan Jinxing achieves scholarly honors and rises to high office, allowing Zhaozhao to live in a grand residence… have you calculated how many years that will take? Do you even know how cramped the house Zhaozhao lives in now is?"
Lady Hou wiped her tears in distress. "The Marquis and I have only this one legitimate daughter, raised with the utmost pampering since childhood. How can you bear to let Zhaozhao endure many more years of hardship in such a tiny house…"
The Marquis shook his head at Lady Hou. "Such short-sightedness!"
"Every word Duan Jinxing spoke today, you heard clearly. Have you forgotten what his future holds? In time, he will be…"
The Marquis lowered his voice. "…the Prime Minister of the nation."
"If he were an ordinary man greedy for wealth, he would gladly accept a residence gifted by his wife’s family and move in without hesitation. But Duan Jinxing has loftier ambitions—he aims for the highest peaks!"
"He has firmly refused. If the Hou family insists on gifting the house, wouldn’t it wound his dignity as a man?"
"You women don’t understand—a man’s dignity, his pride, is far more important than a few rooms!"
"From now on, not a single word about gifting a residence!"
First, the Marquis lectured his wife, then his daughter.
He summoned Jiang Zhaohua and sternly admonished her.
"Since childhood, your mother and I have spoiled you. But don’t forget—no matter how pampered a woman is in her maiden home, once married, she must defer to her husband. Especially yours, who is destined for… great achievements."
"From this moment on, you must respect and revere him."
"Never forget—his success will be the foundation of your honor."
"It is already June. By August, Duan Jinxing will sit for the provincial exams. You must not distract him with trivial household matters!"
Jiang Zhaohua, aggrieved by her father’s scolding, retorted, "If Father refuses to buy me a house, so be it. There’s no need to lecture me with such grand principles."
She paid little heed to her father’s words. Though the provincial exams were only two months away, Jiang Zhaohua wasn’t worried in the slightest.
Duan Jinxing was a rare genius. In her past life, she remembered clearly—he had achieved the rare feat of topping all three levels of the imperial exams!
This first provincial exam? He would effortlessly earn the title of Provincial Champion.
Next, he would claim the Metropolitan and Palace Exam honors, becoming the first in the dynasty to achieve the "Triple Crown" before even reaching adulthood!
After that awaited a soaring official career and a path to the highest power.
Jiang Zhaohua saw nothing that could hinder Duan Jinxing. Nor did she believe a grand residence would wound his pride or make him think she couldn’t endure hardship with him.
If they could share comfort, why insist on suffering?
Moving into a spacious house would let Duan Jinxing rest more comfortably before the exams…
She forgot that Duan Jinxing usually stayed at the academy, returning home only on rest days—barely two or three days a month.
And the critical mother-in-law who nitpicked at her transformed into a gentle, doting figure before her son, showering him with warmth and care.
Though the Duan Family’s residence was small, Duan Jinxing had never suffered. The only one in pain was her.
The thought of enduring years more in that cramped house filled Jiang Zhaohua with despair.
Fortunately, her husband was considerate. Noticing her gloom, he comforted her tenderly that night, promising her a grand residence in the future.
Jiang Zhaohua believed him without doubt.
Duan Jinxing even asked gently if she had other grievances besides the small house.
She mentioned the issue with her maids.
Duan Jinxing wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "My mother came from humble beginnings and has limited perspective. I beg you to indulge her."
"As for your maids, leave it to me. I’ll ensure your personal attendants aren’t sold off and serve only you from now on."
Nestled in his embrace, breathing in the soothing scent of his incense, Jiang Zhaohua felt dizzy with happiness.
This fragrance—she had gifted it to him. Had he been using it daily?
Though they’d been married a month, Duan Jinxing spent most days at the academy. Their time together was scarce, and their intimacy limited to their wedding night…
Thus, Jiang Zhaohua still blushed like a maiden in his presence.
Held tenderly by her husband, hearing him inquire about her troubles, surrounded by the incense she loved—knowing he was the future Prime Minister—her heart fluttered wildly…
"Let’s retire for the night," Duan Jinxing said.
Jiang Zhaohua tensed, recalling the pain of their wedding night.
But she couldn’t avoid it forever. Comforting herself that the first time was the worst, she steeled her resolve.
As his wife, she couldn’t shirk this duty—and she longed to conceive soon.
Gazing at her husband’s handsome profile, she readied herself.
Yet Duan Jinxing truly meant just sleeping.
As he lay beside her, Jiang Zhaohua felt disappointment and dread. She had prepared herself—did he not desire her?
They were newlyweds, and he stayed at the academy for over ten days at a time. Shouldn’t their reunions be passionate?
But both times he returned, he merely slept beside her…
Did Duan Jinxing not love her?
The terrifying thought flashed through her mind but was swiftly dismissed.
Impossible. He was so gentle, even using her incense daily…
In her past life, even her lesser sister had enjoyed his lifelong devotion. Surely he loved her—superior in every way—even more…
Jiang Zhaohua reassured herself: the provincial exams were in two months. His focus was solely on scholarly pursuits.
Now wasn’t the time to distract him.
Reciting calming sutras, she gradually drifted into slumber.
Unaware that after she slept, Duan Jinxing opened his eyes—glaring at her with undisguised loathing.
The next morning, Jiang Zhaohua rose early to pack her husband’s belongings and see him off.
Duan Jinxing had risen earlier still. Somehow, he’d persuaded Duan's mother to agree to purchase new maids.
Overjoyed, Jiang Zhaohua felt sweetness flood her heart. Her personal attendants would suffer no more!
Her husband’s support proved she’d chosen well. The Duan Family’s poverty and difficult mother-in-law meant nothing—a husband as promising and tender as Duan Jinxing was beyond rare!
She immediately arranged for reputable brokers to send candidates, hoping to hire capable maids for Duan's mother.
But Duan's mother refused.
Shaking her head, she said, "I won’t take strangers. Last year, our village suffered disasters—many families had to sell children to survive. I’ll bring girls from our hometown."
Jiang Zhaohua stared in disbelief. "Mother wants to hire refugees as servants?"
In Jiang Zhaohua's mind, refugees were as terrifying as locusts.
Duan's mother took note of the disgust and fear on Jiang Zhaohua's face and was deeply displeased.
The so-called "refugees" Jiang Zhaohua spoke of were actually fellow villagers from her hometown. Now that her son had achieved success and wanted to hire servants to attend to her, why should outsiders benefit? Naturally, she would employ people from her own village!
Frowning, Duan's mother said, "Can I not decide who is hired to serve me?"
"Bringing people from my hometown to wait on me—this matter is settled!"
Half a month later, ten refugees from Duan's mother's hometown arrived at the Duan Family residence in the capital.
Jiang Zhaohua shrieked in fright at the sight of the dark, emaciated refugees.
Duan's mother shot her a disdainful look. "Such a fuss over nothing."
Jiang Zhaohua could no longer care whether her mother-in-law was satisfied with her or not. She insisted on sending the ten refugees to her estate first, where they would stay for a while—long enough to confirm they carried no diseases or lice, and to put on enough weight to look less alarming—before being brought back to the Duan Family.
And so, time passed until the seventh month arrived.
There was less than a month left before the imperial examinations.
