The light from the lantern cast its glow on a dull, rough face. The sharp eyes under the light seemed as if they might soften the atmosphere, but the actual situation was completely the opposite.

    A handsome, sharp-featured face shone under the rigid glare, looking intently at his petite wife as if trying to penetrate deep into her heart. Yet, the slender figure remained silent, not uttering a single word.

    She was indeed a beautiful woman. However, her life was far from as lovely as her appearance. Known infamously as ‘The Villainess Qin’, this title was not easily earned. Her reputation was widely discussed in the capital; everyone despised this woman, to the extent that even her own family sent her to marry a poor farmer as a punishment for tarnishing the family's reputation.

    In exchange for 100 taels, which was a considerable sum for someone as poor as ‘Mu Heng’. He had no choice but to offer himself to take this villainess as his wife. Remembering how she had raged fiercely during the day, they had to use a sedative to calm her down and carry her onto the bridal sedan to his home.

    Unexpectedly, after she woke up, apart from her present calm demeanor, there was nothing that could link her to The Young Villainess Qin anymore. This transformation made the supposed stern husband, who had braced himself for a difficult ordeal, act out of character.

    "You, do you have anything to say?" she spoke up first, her voice clear as a bell. Her gaze was indifferent, as if she felt neither annoyance nor disgust, unlike her previous expressions.

    Mu Heng hesitated slightly, but as the head of the household, he was a strong man too. Despite the unexpected situation, he managed to keep his emotions cool.

    "About marrying you as my wife, I must apologize for doing this. Your father offered the money—100 taels that will allow my family to live comfortably for ten years. I have a younger sister who is frail and undernourished, and a younger brother who is growing and needs education.

    So, even though I feel guilty for being another person who has harmed you, I intend to do this. Nevertheless, I, who am now your husband, promise to take good care of you. I will make sure you are happy living with me. All I ask is that you do not cause problems for us siblings," the young man of just over twenty years said seriously.

    His demeanor appeared much more mature than his age, and it made him appear even more handsome in the eyes of the villain like her.

    "Hmm, are you done speaking?" Qin Yueyin asked.

    The man who was her husband by law nodded, knowing she asked because she was about to speak her mind too. Seeing her calm demeanor, he too was eager to hear what she would say to him.

    "Then, may I speak now?" She didn’t wait for Mu Heng’s permission, her demeanor turning serious.

    "Regarding the money, 100 taels, I have nothing to do with it. You may do whatever you wish with it. But according to the laws of the land, my dowry remains solely mine. Even though we are husband and wife, I have no obligation to use my belongings for you, your siblings, or your relatives."

    “I understand that well, and I won’t bother you about it,” he said earnestly.

    “Good. It’s not that I am being stingy with my possessions, but I need to make this clear from the start: if your family faces hardships later, you cannot pressure me to give up my things,” her narrow eyes narrowed seriously. 

    It's not like she had never read novels about ancient times before. Now that she found herself in an era where her husband was the head of the family and everyone clung to filial piety like fools, she could not bear the thought of her assets being squandered on selfish relatives. 

    Well, if there was someone she actually wanted to help, she would be ready to help. For now, she was just trying to instill a fear in him.

    “Next, I have a request. No matter what happens at home, when you go outside, you and your siblings must say that I am reluctant to be here. Say that I have problems with everyone and cause trouble every day. If people you know do not believe you and want to come here, I will throw a fit so devastating that I won’t care who they are.”

    Mu Heng frowned slightly upon hearing Qin Yueqian’s words, not understanding. 

    “Why would you do that?” 

    “Third point, I don’t need to provide you all with reasons for my actions. Lastly... if possible, we should live separately. I don’t trust you, and you shouldn’t trust me either. We are not a loving couple meant to live harmoniously together. Let’s just live peacefully on our own terms, agreed?” 

    The beautiful woman spoke imperiously. Though Mu Heng was slightly displeased—as they were, after all, husband and wife, and he cherished the traditional virtues of mutual support that his parents exemplified—misfortune had robbed him of them, leaving him and his two siblings to take care of each other from a young age. Otherwise, would they have struggled this much? 

    Yet he knew she wasn’t willing; a beautiful lady from a prominent family from the capital forced to marry a worthless man like him, it would be a surprise if she was happy. He still felt pity for her, but for that lump sum of money, he needed to indirectly hurt her like this. 

    Once a woman married off, she would be like mud splashed out; even if divorced, she would still end up being harmed. 

    Mu Heng was a gentleman, not one to shirk responsibility. He knew that after marrying her, he must take the best care of her, whether she turned out as malicious as the rumors suggested or not. He had sworn over his parents' graves that he would not harm her. 

    Well, her demands were not too onerous, after all. He, Mu Heng, didn’t care about her dowry anyway. 

    With the 100 taels, they wouldn't struggle anymore. Last year, they made at most 2 taels; this year, they had enough money to send his brother to school, pay a dowry for a future marriage, and even provide a dowry for his sister. As for food, he would try his best to provide abundantly and ensure that the three lives under his care would not suffer from hunger.

    “I agree,” Mu Heng spoke up, and Qin Yueqian sighed out. 

    She stood up in the dim light, extended her delicate hand, and playfully slapped the shoulder of the young man sitting before her with an unladylike demeanor. Yet the smile that appeared was so beautiful that it took Mu Heng’s breath away for a moment.

    “Good, let’s live together in peace from now on. Sigh... By the way, have you siblings eaten yet? I’ve already ruined the auspicious sweets that are usually part of the wedding. I’ll find something hot for you to eat soon. Why don’t you two come out as well?” Yueqian waved towards the door.

    Mu Heng slightly furrowed his brow when he noticed the overlapping shadows.

    “Have you been eavesdropping on our conversation?” His voice was stern in the manner of an eldest brother.

    The two children, now unable to hide, slowly walked out looking frightened.

    “To misbehave like this, do you know what you should do next?”

    “Huan’er will go get the birch rod right now, elder brother,” a quivering voice filled with fear and streaming tears responded.

    It was the voice of the little girl, her hair tied with a red cloth for auspiciousness, on this, her beloved elder brother's wedding day. Despite her fear, she fetched a long birch rod as long as an arm.

    In these times, discipline meant a memorable beating. Although Yueqian disapproved, she had already said she would not interfere in their matters. Thus, aside from frowning disapprovingly, she did not speak out to stop it.

    “Elder brother, it was I who told her to come along even though she was about to go to sleep. If you must discipline, please use your rod on Xiao Han instead.”

    The young boy, not much older than his sister, bravely said. His body trembled as he eyed the rod, yet he stood up to protect his sister, such a brave boy.

    “There’s no need to take the blame for each other. Both of you are at fault, come here, both of you,” Mu Heng stood up, accepting the rod from Huan’er, the younger sister.

    Xiao Han stepped forward first. He clenched his teeth and crossed his arms, bracing himself for the discipline from his elder brother. Meanwhile, Huan’er cried convulsively out of fear and pity for her brother who was about to be punished first.