Marry into the Jiang family? Become a stepmother or a widow.

It was a sweltering summer day, with heavy rain pouring all night. The temperature plummeted several degrees after the storm passed. Though the wind and rain had ceased, the air remained stiflingly hot and humid.

Pingjiang, a teahouse in a corner

On stage, two performers, one holding a sanxian and the other a pipa, played their instruments. The music was delicate and melodious. This is known as pingtan, a popular form of musical storytelling in this region.

Everybody was listening to the play and discussing the hottest topic in Pingjiang City recently.

The old master of the Tang family was seriously ill, and each son showed his abilities to divide the property.

The old man fell ill, but the Tang family has been having joyous occasions recently: engagements and weddings. They say it's to appease the old man with good luck, it's almost laughable.

"He still hasn't decided to get married before his grandfather kicks the bucket, adding more heads for when it comes time to divide the assets and hoping he can take a bigger share."

"To divide the assets, people will really go to any lengths. So it's said that having money isn't necessarily a good thing."

There are rumors that the Tang family had a verbal betrothal with the Jiang family of Si Jiucheng. Apparently, they wanted to marry their eldest son off to the Jiang family.

But the Jiang family is like that, with two sons, yet...

Actually, half a century ago, the Jiang family and the Tang family were evenly matched. It's just that the Tang family has been in decline these years, while the Jiang family has become increasingly prominent. Logically speaking, even the legitimate daughter of the Tang family might not be worthy of marrying into the Jiang family now. But... this Jiang family...

Upon mention of this, there was another wave of sighs and lamentations.

"What? Where's that Miss's face going to be..."

"There's no way around it, a stepmother rules supreme, she will definitely fight for her son's maximum benefit."

"This engagement was originally intended for the young lady. Even if the Jiang family were powerful, they wouldn't be worthy enough to be her match."

A young girl sitting in the corner got up, paid the bill, and left with a box of snacks.

Two Peking opera actors on stage were performing the "The Fox Spirit Tricks the Prince" segment of the play, only to say:

"... Thinking Liu Niang's doing things is so misguided, switching the true master shouldn't be done. He hurried to swap the fox cat for the prince and ordered the maidservants to throw him into the green waves."

She is the focal point of all the gossip, Miss Tang, the eldest daughter of the Tang family.

Pingjiang Tang Family Villa

Tang Wan's car had just stopped and turned off. A woman in her sixties walked over. Though her face was weathered, it was clear she was a refined person. "Miss, you're back," she said.

What's wrong?

"The Jiang family has arrived!"

"Where is everyone?" and I didn't see any other cars in the yard.

"Not yet."

“Then I’m afraid these two boxes of pastries I bought for Grandpa won’t be enough to share.” These things are made best at the teahouse in that corner, but they only have a limited supply each day. If you don't go early, you won't be able to buy them.

"By now, you're still thinking about those pastries? I heard that the Jiang family came over this time to discuss the marriage between our two families. While this match isn't something we absolutely have to accept, if the second miss gets it instead, wouldn't people gossip behind our backs..."

This matter is not the same thing, but if it's taken by a relative, the saying changes.

Where's grandpa?

"He's gone out, said the house was stuffy, just needed some air."

"He ran out instead of staying put, and asked me to buy him some pastries, but then he ran out?"

As the two walked inside, they saw a group of women in the living room. Judging from their appearance, they were around thirty or thirty-five years old, beautiful and alluring. They wore simple black dresses that were both elegant and understated, but couldn't hide the seductive aura emanating from them.

"Wan Wan is back."

This woman is Tang Wan's stepmother, Zhang Liyun.

"Aunt Li," Zhang Liyun said. Tang Wan had already been in junior high when she married in, and couldn't break the habit.

"Sister," the child whispered from beside her.

Adorned in lace, the princess is nineteen years old, three years younger than Tang Wan. She is known as Tang's adopted daughter, Tang Mo.

The name was changed after entering the door and has no relation to the Tang family.

Tang Mo was born after Zhang Liyun, and although she was young, she already possessed an air of grace. At this time, she was sweet and endearing. However, Tang Wan had seen the behavior of the eldest miss outside the house. She acted arrogantly, relying on being a Miss Tang.

After being seen by Tang Wan, his cowardly and inferior image at home was completely shattered.

Although Tang Wan didn't spread rumors to others, Tang Mo felt guilty and avoided her, resulting in a lukewarm relationship between them.

"Miss, have some tea." The maid had already brought up a cup of black tea.

Tang Wan took the tea, slowly settling down, as if she hadn't seen the anxiety in her mother's eyes.

"Wan Wan, actually the Jiang family is sending someone over later." Zhang Liyun smiled insincerely.

"Is that so?" Tang Wan's expression remained unchanged.

"They're here, they must be discussing the marriage arrangements between our families. Although it was only a verbal agreement and no official documents were signed, my grandfather is a man of his word and still intends to honor the promise." Zhang Liyun looked at Tang Wan with a motherly, kind expression.

"Although the Jiang family says you can choose either of their two sons, that's not really the case..." Zhang Liyun sighed. "It's understandable your father doesn't want you to marry into that family."

"Luckily your dad wasn't here today, otherwise things would have been messy when the Jiang family came. It could have ended badly."

The Jiang family has two sons. Their intention is to allow the Tang family to choose freely, seemingly very sincere. However, the problem is...

The eldest son of the Jiang family was renowned for his nobility, elegance, and arrogance. However, he had a son whose mother was unknown;

The second son is a sickly person again, it is said that he has a disease and will not live past twenty-eight, so he is willful, eccentric and violent.

Even so, there are some who send their daughters to the Jiang family. After all, as long as they marry into the family, their position is secure, and they can live a life of luxury for the rest of their lives.

Chang Liyun is the kind of person who would shove her child into a face even if it was already full.

Ke Tangwan's father favored her and thought that the Jiang family's wealth and status were endless. He felt that marrying into their family would be a hardship, so he disagreed. This resulted in the marriage proposal being undecided for a long time.

After all, she married into the Jiang family...

It's either not being someone's stepmother or being destined to be a widow!

...and in this corner of the teahouse private room

Two men, one old and one young, sat facing each other.

"How about it? Isn't my grandson quite handsome?" The old man's laughter was deep and hoarse, you could tell just from his voice that he wasn't doing well, frail and lacking vitality.

The person across from him lowered their head to drink tea, and Yu swept his gaze over the spot where Tang Wan had just been sitting.

Actually, from his position, one could only vaguely see a side profile. People came and went, and he only remembered those eyes which were extraordinarily beautiful, just like Pingjiang City after the rain, sometimes hazy, and Duan Yingying.

"Old Tang, everyone outside says I won't live past twenty-eight. Actually, if you want to find someone to protect me, my brother might be more suitable."

The old man didn't say a word, he just sized him up. Such a good person... how come...

Fate is so cruel!

Marry into the Jiang family? Be a stepmother or a widow.