NCCnovel Chapter 1 Son-in-law
Chapter 1 Son-in-law
Two families unite in marriage, and a contract is concluded in one hall;
May your good marriage last forever, and may you be a perfect match.
The peach blossoms are in full bloom today, a perfect day for a family.
May your descendants flourish and prosper in the years to come.
With this vow of lifelong commitment, I write this on fine paper.
May our vows, made amidst the red leaves, be recorded in the marriage register.
This certificate...
A faint fragrance filled the air, and a maroon marriage certificate sat on the table, complementing the rustic square table perfectly.
Liu Shan, dressed in a red wedding gown, sat at the square table all night, suffering from back pain, chest tightness, and dark circles under his eyes.
He stole another glance at his wife, dressed in her wedding gown, lying on the wedding bed with her eyes closed as if she were asleep, and finally accepted the fact that he had traveled through time.
This made him feel somewhat emotional. In his previous life, he was a retired boxer who was proficient in Sanda, grappling, and military boxing... but now he had become a lowly son-in-law who couldn't even get into a marriageable bed.
But that's fine too, since in his previous life he longed for the life of an ordinary person—simple, busy, and ordinary.
As for his wife, who forced herself to sit up all night, let her be. As long as she sends the money on time, he can tolerate it.
Thinking about money finally piqued Liu Shan's interest.
Seemingly noticing the glint in Liu Shan's eyes, Amber, the maid who had also stayed up all night and was sitting by the wedding bed, said warily, "Young master, I advise you not to have any wicked thoughts. Miss is very good at fighting."
Amber was about eleven or twelve years old. She was a chubby-cheeked boy with two sharp little tiger teeth when she smiled, along with two shallow dimples. She had a very auspicious appearance.
However, Liu Shan's mind was not on Amber. His gaze passed over the little maid and fell on his eighteen-year-old wife, Li Wanqing.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, delicate and vivid; her skin was like solidified cream, radiating a natural glow; her tall and slender figure was flawless, like a model, and her beauty was further accentuated by her wedding dress.
Perhaps sensing Liu Shan's gaze, Li Wanqing opened her eyes, her face showing a faint indifference, and calmly ordered, "Amber, help her change her clothes."
Amber nodded and began helping Liu Shan change his clothes.
Taking advantage of this moment, Li Wanqing said, "As you know, your father once saved my father's life on the battlefield, and that's how our engagement came about. But now your family has fallen on hard times, and you're neither good at literature nor martial arts. I have no feelings for you. The reason we're together today is only because my father remembers the past, and I can't be unfilial."
Her voice was clear, but there was no emotion in her tone, as if she were talking about someone else's affairs, which had nothing to do with her.
Liu Shan smiled bitterly. The original owner came from a military family, but was rebellious from a young age and insisted on taking the imperial examination. As a result, after ten years of hard study, he only passed the lowest level of the imperial examination.
After the death of both parents, the original owner became even more depraved, indulging in frivolous pursuits and losing all ambition.
In contrast, Li Polu, though only a Zhongwu Colonel without real power or command of troops, was still a sixth-rank military officer who received a monthly salary.
Li Wanqing was no less stunning; with her captivating beauty and ethereal charm, she was hailed as the most beautiful woman in Cangzhou.
Now she has even joined the Cangzhou Poetry Society, and is vaguely known as the number one talented woman.
Seeing that Liu Shan remained silent, Li Wanqing continued, "Since that's the case, I'll make three rules with you."
"Firstly, although we are husband and wife in name, we cannot be husband and wife in reality."
"Secondly, we must respect each other and refrain from doing anything that would deliberately damage the other's reputation, both internally and externally."
"Thirdly, if I find a good match, you must divorce me and not continue to entangle me."
"Can you do it?"
He could do it, but Liu Shan felt it was a bit of a loss. "I agree with these three points, but I think there should be a fourth one."
Li Wanqing's face revealed an expression of "I knew it all along." This poor scholar was indeed unwilling to accept defeat and had developed improper thoughts.
Liu Shan then said, "Fourthly, before the divorce, Li Wanqing must pay Liu Shan thirty taels of silver every month... no, fifty taels of silver."
Li Wanqing was stunned, her clear eyes filled with disbelief.
Why?
This marriage is a losing proposition for me, while he benefits, yet I still have to give him money.
Unexpectedly, this seemingly respectable person turned out to be shameless.
Li Wanqing asked irritably, "You don't have to spend money on food or clothing in the manor, so what do you need money for?"
Suddenly, a thought struck her: Could it be that he wanted to spend money to please her?
How ridiculous... to put the cart before the horse like this!
If he could study hard, I might actually think more highly of him.
At this moment, Liu Shan changed his clothes and replied matter-of-factly, "If I want money, of course I'll spend it."
Li Wanqing held out her hands to make it easier for Amber to change her clothes, and advised, "What you should do most right now is to study hard."
As Liu Shan wiped his face with a damp towel, he said, "Studying? That's not the life I want. The life I yearn for is planting flowers and grass, going on outings, fishing and playing chess, listening to music in brothels... cough cough cough, which of these doesn't cost money?"
Li Wanqing stared at the man in disbelief. What had she just heard? Besides indulging in frivolous pursuits, he actually wanted to visit brothels?
He really is a poor, self-degrading scholar!
Her eyes were full of contempt as she frowned and retorted, "As the son of a military general, it's one thing that you don't think about learning martial arts to serve your country, but you're even unwilling to study? Your status is now lowly; if you don't strive for improvement, what's the point of living?"
Liu Shan took a deep breath and slowly said, "The meaning of my life is probably just eating, drinking, and having fun."
Li Wanqing almost choked on her words.
It took her a long time to catch her breath before she gritted her teeth and said, "So, you married into the Li family just for eating, drinking, and having fun?"
Liu Shan thought about it. The original owner of this body married into the Li family because she was attracted to Li Wanqing's beauty, but he was not.
In my past life, I fought boxing my whole life. I was disciplined, hardworking, and competitive, but all I got in return was a body full of injuries.
So in this life, he wants to enjoy life to the fullest.
He spoke frankly: "Isn't the purpose of life to eat, drink, and have fun? Learning martial arts, studying, and marrying into a wealthy family are all for the sake of having more fun, aren't they?"
Li Wanqing was so surprised by Liu Shan's frankness that she laughed in exasperation: "Fine, fine, you really are a mediocre person with no ambition! Once I find a good match, I'll divorce you!"
Liu Shan tilted his head and deliberately asked, "Does having lofty ambitions mean you won't divorce me?"
Li Wanqing's breath hitched. She knew Liu Shan was right, but why did he have such an affected expression?!
She immediately retorted angrily, "If you can pass the imperial examination with flying colors, become an official in a region, and bring benefits to the people, what's wrong with me becoming your husband?"
Liu Shan stared intently at Li Wanqing for a long time before nodding and saying, "With your beauty, you're more than qualified to marry a scholar who has passed the imperial examination."
Li Wanqing's eyes brightened slightly, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. She was quite confident in her appearance.
"Had it come to your senses? Planning to take the imperial examination and become a Jinshi?"
Unexpectedly, Liu Shan shook his head repeatedly, saying, "Studying is tiring, and the imperial examinations are difficult. It's better to just relax and enjoy a peaceful life."
Li Wanqing gritted her teeth and glared at the man in front of her. If she didn't have to serve tea later, she would have tied him to a tree and beaten him!