The Substitute Fiasco - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I had been married into the chancellor’s estate for two years. My husband and I were harmonious, respectful, the very picture of marital bliss-except, lately, we had been sharing a bed less and less.

My mother-in-law had hinted several times that she wanted a grandson. Then, after watching my expression, she added that a granddaughter would be lovely too.

But my husband had not consummated our marriage with me in months.

There were no concubines in the manor, and after I sent people to follow him outside for a long while, they found no wildflowers either. The attendants at his side were all men.

He was at an age when men were supposed to be ravenous. I began to suspect he simply did not like women. Perhaps those first two years with me had all been an act, and now that I had failed to bear him a child, he had taken back even that small bit of tenderness.

But once, he had treated me so well.

The way he looked at me had been full of affection. He remembered my health, often sent me foods I liked, and that was not even mentioning the farmland and shops he occasionally gifted me.

When I wanted to go on a spring outing, he set aside his documents to accompany me. When I wanted to boat on the lake, he punted for me and picked lotus flowers. In autumn, he took me to Fragrant Hills to admire the leaves. When snow fell, he held me while we ate hot pot together.

If that was not love…

But it truly was not. No matter how deeply in love he pretended to be, he had gradually stopped touching me.

Tonight, I would make my final confirmation. If he truly did not like women, if he was into men… then I would take my dowry and return to my maiden home!

Then… should I take back the farmland and shops he gave me? And the jewels and headpieces, the clothes for all four seasons, and that fox-fur cloak…

Take them! I would take them all back!

That stinking fraud had deceived me this far. Why shouldn’t I take them?!

Fuming, I put on my battle robe. It was made of pale, thin gauze, the flesh beneath faintly visible through the fabric.

After more than two years of marriage, this was my first time dressing like this.

If even this left him unmoved, then he was undoubtedly into men!

Lian’er hurried back. “Madam, Master says he is busy with official business tonight and has no time to come for dinner.”

Busy, busy, busy! Busy every day! Had all the burdens under heaven fallen on his shoulders alone?!

I wrapped a wide-sleeved outer robe around myself and strode out. Lian’er chased after me. “Madam, at least put on a cloak! This is truly improper.”

Just before leaving the courtyard, I tied the cloak securely. After making sure nothing was exposed, I continued marching toward the front courtyard with my head held high.

The study was an important place, and I had never been one to hover around it. But this time…

I kicked the door open. Shen Wen startled so hard that ink splattered from his brush and smeared half the page before him.

I made a full circuit of the study, searching inside and out. There were indeed no wild women or wild men.

Only then did he ask in a low voice, “What are you doing?”

Hah. I signaled for Lian’er to shut the doors and windows and dismiss all irrelevant people.

In the warm glow of sunset filtering through the window paper, I slowly untied my sash.

I had been wrapped up the entire way here and had sweated all over. The thin fabric underneath clung to my skin, making me rather uncomfortable.

I had bathed until I was clean and fragrant, too… This was all his fault!

He froze for a moment before turning his head away in a fluster. “What are you wearing?!”

I removed another layer of wide sleeves and approached him in nothing but fabric that seemed barely there. “Husband, do I not look good?”

Under my advance, he retreated again and again until his back hit the desk.

“What exactly are you trying to do?!” He covered his eyes, refusing to look at me.

I leaned against his chest, my fingers sliding downward inch by inch. “Husband, you have neglected me for so long. Are you trying to force me to leave… so you can find yourself someone new?”

He breathed hard but did not answer. Yet the instant I made my move, he sucked in a sharp breath.

Strange. He was clearly very interested in women.

“Qin Huaisu, you brought this on yourself.”

He seized my waist and turned, pressing me down onto the desk.

As everything swayed unsteadily around me, I was still wondering: there was no problem there, so what exactly was the reason?