One Legal Wife, One Equal Wife-Were These People Worthy?

The Zhou Family looked extremely grim, Zhou Yi quickly explained, "This isn't what you think."

Xu Fengjiao looked at him and said:

"Let's make this clear in front of so many people. The legitimate son hasn't even been born yet, and now there's already a son born out of wedlock."

No one has such a rule.

This is to define the nature of the Yaoniang in front of everyone; Yaoniang can only be a concubine.

If the Yaoniang insisted on becoming the official wife, she would definitely not marry into the Zhou Family.

The Zhou Family Village rolled his eyes in anger:

"Aren't you ruining our village's reputation?"

Yaoniang, I see you've made some contributions to the village.

Sometimes you can help people with minor ailments like headaches and fevers, but what you did was outrageous.

"How could I possibly seduce my brother-in-law? If word gets out, our whole village will be ruined."

The Yaoniang knelt down with a thud.

"Fengjiao, I know these things are all my fault. Don't blame anyone else, just blame me."

My husband passed away a few days after we got married, and I wanted to leave him a child.

I promise I won't bother you. I only ask to raise this child well and give my husband an heir.

In ancient times, having no offspring was considered a grave offense.

In cases like the Yaoniang," the younger brother-in-law is usually allowed to take on both wives, which is equivalent to ensuring an heir for his elder brother.

Xu Fengjiao looked at the Yaoniang with a half-smile and said:

"Everyone saw what you did in the woods behind the house, and they're saying you like him."

You've always said Zhou Yi likes me, but now it seems you were just using me.

Once I marry into the Zhou Family, you can all mingle together. Don't treat everyone like fools.

If you truly loved your man, you wouldn't have done something like that.

Even if you make it clear beforehand that you want to choose two wives, I can still agree to it.

But there's no reason to act first and report later, is there?"

Old Madam Zhou snorted coldly and said:

"It's none of your Zhou Family, Xu Fengjiao. You haven't even married into the Zhou Family yet, and you're already meddling in our Zhou Family."

Let's talk about it after you marry into the family!

Xu Fengjiao angrily said:

"So your Zhou Family knew about their affairs?"

It seems we should call off this marriage. Otherwise, if I marry into the Zhou Family, won't I be subjected to mistreatment every day?

Xu Fengjiao really didn't want to marry into the Zhou Family anymore. She had originally thought that if there was someone in the Zhou Family who was sensible, she could still marry into the Zhou Family.

But now it's obvious that the Zhou Family members are all out of their minds. She doesn't know how much suffering she'll endure after marrying into this family!

Old Man Zhou looked at her and said:

"Now that things have come to this, let's each take a step back. The Zhou Family and the Xu Family are getting married the day after tomorrow."

How about this? Let my Brother Yi marry two wives, one principal wife and one concubine. Wouldn't that solve the problem? Everyone would be happy.

Xu Fengjiao was so angry she felt like vomiting blood. One was a legal wife, the other a concubine—did these people even deserve to be called wives?

Old Master Xu just laughed:

"The Zhou Family's idea is really beautiful, but unfortunately our Xu Family doesn't have such good fortune."

Such good fortune can be given to whomever they want; my Xu Family cannot accept it.

Upon hearing this, the Yaoniang knew the plan was doomed, and she immediately knelt down on the ground, saying:

"Father, Mother, this is the Yaoniang's fault. The Yaoniang plans to leave the Zhou Family with the child."

I would never dare to interfere with Brother Yi's marriage; I beg my parents to grant my request."

Zhou Yi, standing to the side, was so angry his veins were throbbing. "Xu Fengjiao, our Zhou Family has already backed down time and time again, what more do you want?"

Xu Fengjiao sneered:

"You keep backing down? Do you mean I forced you to have this child?"

I made myself very clear, I'm not getting married. Am I, Xu Fengjiao, destined to never get married? Do I have to marry someone like you?

Zhou Yi said angrily:

"With a body like yours, who do you think you could marry?"

Don't you know what your own body is like?

You couldn't even have a child, but now someone else is having one for you. What's there to be unhappy about?

"This child will be able to take care of you in your old age."

Xu Fengjiao looked at them and said:

"Your plan is quite good. If I really marry into your family, I won't live for more than a few years."

Then my Xu Family's assets will all be yours, won't they?

So that's exactly what you planned! How cunning!

Everyone whispered among themselves, "Could it be that the Zhou Family is really harboring such intentions?"

"It seems that Second Miss Xu was kicked out like this before. Second Miss Xu was pitiful, but her family was wealthy."

"If you hadn't mentioned Second Miss Xu, I would have forgotten about it. That's right, Zhou Yi is a scholar who passed the imperial examination! I never expected him to do such a heartless thing."

"Of course! How could someone like that participate in a scientific expedition? Having an affair with his widowed sister-in-law is utterly immoral!"

The village chief quickly said:

"Miss Xu, don't worry about this, I will definitely give you an explanation."

Now that this has happened, we can't let Brother Yi's imperial examination be ruined, can we?

Okay then! I'll talk to them properly and I'll definitely give you a satisfactory answer.

Xu Fengjiao sneered:

"What is a satisfactory answer? In front of so many people, your Zhou Family must give me an explanation."

Otherwise, I'll go directly to the county government today.

Her Zhou Family, won't they? She will too!

In the end, the Zhou Family returned the engagement gifts and paid them 5,000 taels of silver in compensation.

Xu Fengjiao directly handed the 5,000 taels of silver to Zhou Wanwan, saying:

"This is for you. Take it. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to see through this wretch."

If I really marry into the Zhou Family, I'm afraid I won't have a good life."

Zhou Wanwan had taken their money, so naturally she had to speak up for them. She sighed and said:

"I think you should try to leave here. After all, Juren Zhou is a scholar."

If he says something bad about you at will, your business will be ruined.

Also, keep plenty of food and water at home.

Old Master Xu bowed and said, "Thank you for the reminder. I will remember to prepare more food and water."

Old Master Xu moved overnight, selling all the shops and estates he could.

Zhou Wanwan went directly to other state capitals. Upon reading the letter, she said:

"Old Master Xu is quick enough. The Zhou Family was originally looking for trouble."

But now we can't even find them, it's hilarious.

The Second Miss of the Zheng Family snorted coldly and said, "That's too easy on Zhou Yi, you despicable scoundrel."

Zhou Wanwan said with a half-smile:

"He has no future. Even if he were a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, no one would want to associate with him anymore."

That past will always be a thorn in his side; he and the Yaoniang will never have a good ending.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhou Yi arrived at the academy, someone informed him that he had been expelled.

Zhou Yi angrily retorted, "I'm a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, why can't I teach?"

He taught at the academy and earned ten taels of silver each month, which amounted to one hundred and twenty taels a year.