Chapter 180: The Successor Wife – 2

Her aunt interrupted impatiently, “I don’t care if he becomes some high-ranking official or noble in the future. Right now, he’s a man with nothing to his name but clean sleeves¹. His father is a mere seventh-rank official², and his clan is in no position to support him. If you marry into a family like that, what are you going to do?”

“Then why can my cousin marry him but I can’t? Regardless, I refuse to be a successor wife. Even if he were the Grand Secretary or a Prince, I still wouldn’t do it! I’m simply not marrying him. Mother, if you force me, I’ll… I’ll… become a nun!”

Suppressing her rage, her aunt tried to persuade her with earnest words. “Your cousin is an orphan. With a fate like hers, no good family would want her. That is why I found her a marriage where she can rely on our family’s influence. It will allow us to support her in the future so she won’t be bullied. You are my own flesh and blood; would I ever harm you? How can you be so foolish!”

Ren Xin had come to pay her respects, but she hadn’t expected to overhear this. The maidservants outside looked embarrassed as they announced her arrival in loud voices.

Her aunt composed herself and warned Feng Qingyue in a low voice, “I’m telling you, I will not permit this. If you don’t want to marry into the Duke’s estate, we can discuss other options, but this Zhang Family is out of the question.”

Feng Qingyue looked defiant, but in the end, she didn’t say anything more.

Her aunt then called Ren Xin inside to speak.

Ren Xin paid her respects obediently and then sat quietly to the side, listening to her aunt’s instructions with a smile.

Book Spirit Number One remarked, “Shen Shen, I have to say, this ‘innocent act’ of yours is actually quite convincing. You almost look human.”

Ren Xin felt smug. Whatever role she took on, she mastered it, and she always paid attention to the details.

Feng Qingyue aimed a sarcastic remark at Ren Xin. “Cousin truly has wonderful luck. I was the one who took a liking to the Zhang Family, so Mother found you an even wealthier and more prestigious household. There’s only one catch: you’ll be The Successor Wife – “

“Feng Qingyue!” her aunt barked, exploding in anger.

Ren Xin glanced at Feng Qingyue. To be this blunt and reckless, this person was likely either reborn or a transmigrator. “I’m right, aren’t I, Book Spirit?”

“Let me go check, hold on…”

“Shen Shen, this person is a ‘reborn’ character, a hidden plot line. In her past life, she married the Lord Duke of the Zhen National Duke Estate as his successor wife. However, the Lord Duke had a son and a daughter who were both very young. Feng Qingyue didn’t get along with them. She wanted to have her own child to inherit the Duke’s title and used all sorts of sinister methods to achieve it. Eventually, the Lord Duke had her ‘die of illness.'”

Ren Xin snapped back to reality to see the mother and daughter at each other’s throats. Acting the part of the sensible niece, Ren Xin said, “Aunt, since Elder Sister envies the marriage you’ve arranged for me, why not let her have it? It makes no difference to me whom I marry.”

Her aunt felt as if she had swallowed a mouthful of blood³ and couldn’t spit it out. She could only manage a forced smile and say, “There’s no such thing. Your elder sister just can’t bear to see you leave.”

Ren Xin said hypocritically, “Actually, I can’t bear to leave this home either. But in matters of marriage, it is best to follow the words of the matchmaker and the will of one’s parents⁴.”

The fear on Feng Qingyue’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a different expression. “It’s good that you know your place. With your status, becoming a successor wife in a Duke’s estate is climbing the social ladder. Our family has treated you well!”

Ren Xin arched an eyebrow. “Oh? And what exactly is my status?”

Feng Qingyue was about to say more when she was stopped by her aunt, who could no longer hide her fury. Ignoring Feng Qingyue, the aunt dismissed Ren Xin. “You go back first. I have a mess of things to deal with here. I won’t keep you today.”

Before Ren Xin could even step out the door, Feng Qingyue went into a frenzy, declaring that she insisted on marrying Zhang Bojian and that she was going to live a better life than anyone else.

Ren Xin sneered inwardly. This person really was a case of ‘if you don’t go looking for death, you won’t die.’ Even with a second chance at life, she was living it in vain.

There are no parents in the world who can ultimately win against their children. Her aunt truly doted on Feng Qingyue. Even after her uncle resorted to family discipline and corporal punishment, it was no use. Every time her grandmother saw Ren Xin, she would sigh and say she had failed her.

Translator’s Notes