Chapter 125: Marry One Over First

Lin Xuanshan looked puzzled, truly unable to fathom why Su Yang had taken an interest in Lin Tingyu, unaware perhaps that she was already married. After deep contemplation, he turned his gaze to his son, Lin Lang, and asked, "What do you think, son?"

"Father, the eldest sister is already married. I think we should let this matter pass," Lin Lang replied after a long silence. He then added, "If a marriage alliance is desired, we could suggest that Su Yang choose one of my two younger sisters who have yet to be wed."

"Hmm!" Lin Xuanshan nodded, agreeing that this was the only viable path.

"Master, the eldest young lady has returned home," a servant rushed over, his expression panicked.

"Tingyu is back?" Lin Xuanshan asked, noticing the steward’s anxious demeanor and suddenly sensing that something was amiss.

"Master, you must go and see for yourself; something has happened to the eldest young lady," the steward said.

"Something happened? What happened?" Lin Xuanshan asked, his face filled with anxiety as he hurried toward the inner quarters with the steward.

It turned out that Tian Yu, the Lin family’s son-in-law, had become infatuated with a courtesan and had secretly redeemed her from a brothel a few days prior. Naturally, the Lin family’s daughter refused to accept this. After days of arguing, Tian Yu, in a fit of rage, had divorced Lin Tingyu. He had since taken the courtesan and left Yanggu County, returning the deed to the Lin family mansion to settle all accounts.

As soon as Lin Xuanshan entered the room, he saw his daughter speaking with her mother, her face and hands covered in bruises.

"That Tian Yu! Does he really think my Lin family has no one to stand up for them?" Lin Lang, seeing his sister beaten to such a state, felt his anger boil over.

"Brother, let it be," Lin Tingyu, still possessing a graceful charm, stopped him. "I was unwilling to marry into the Tian family from the start. As it turned out, their family fell into ruin, and Tian Yu had to rely on our family to survive. Now that he has divorced me, it is for the best. I can return early to serve my father and mother."

Lin Xuanshan was equally incensed. "That ungrateful wretch! He used our Lin family’s silver to redeem a prostitute and then dared to divorce my daughter? How can I swallow this insult?"

"Wait...!" A flash of brilliance appeared in Lin Lang's eyes. He quickly took out the marriage proposal Su Yang had sent earlier. "Father, isn't this perfect?"

Lin Xuanshan, still in a rage, suddenly remembered Su Yang's proposal and felt a surge of joy. He immediately shared the news with Lin Tingyu.

"Father, brother, do not tease me. How could a man like Master Su possibly take interest in a woman who has been married? What kind of woman could he not have?" Lin Tingyu said, though her heart was filled with excitement and joy, she maintained a sense of reserve.

She had seen Su Yang at the banquet yesterday; he truly looked like an immortal from a painting. What woman would not be moved? She simply never imagined such fortune would fall upon her.

"The marriage proposal has already been delivered, and Father and I have confirmed it repeatedly. He wishes to take you as a concubine. If you are willing, we will go and send word right now to have you married off as soon as possible. What do you say?" Lin Lang asked, surprised by this unexpected turn of events.

"I... I will listen to Father. Let Father decide."

Once Lin Tingyu spoke, Lin Xuanshan and Lin Lang exchanged glances, knowing exactly what her words meant. They sent a servant to notify the Su family.

When Su Yang heard the news from the Lin family, he was slightly taken aback, not expecting to encounter such a situation. Since the Lin family suggested the sooner the better, he thought, why delay? Let us hold the wedding tomorrow.

The exchange of betrothal gifts and the engagement were handled quietly, as it was a concubinage.

The next day, the Su household was adorned in bright red. With the sound of drums and gongs, the Lin family's sedan chair arrived at the back door of the Su residence. After the ceremony, the bride was escorted to the bridal chamber.

The Magistrate’s son, Ma Ji, and the Zhao family soon heard the news.

"The Lin family’s actions are far too hasty. Are they so afraid their daughter won't be married off?" Ma Ji said with a worried expression. "Father, perhaps we shouldn't wait for Su Yang to reach the Fourth Grade. Let's pick an auspicious day and have my sister married off sooner."

"Hmm, there is indeed no need to keep waiting," Magistrate Ma replied. "Once the wedding banquet at the Su residence is over today, you should go to the Su residence tomorrow and tell Su Yang to move the date forward. There is no need to wait for him to reach the Fourth Grade."

...

At night, Su Yang pushed open the door to the bridal chamber, where Lin Tingyu was waiting. Her beautiful eyes were filled with anticipation, her heart fluttering. Sensing his presence, her body trembled slightly.

"These bruises?" Su Yang asked, his brow furrowing as he looked at the marks on her arms and neck.

"My former husband was physically ruined by a maidservant when he was young and had long been impotent. After I married him, he could not consummate the marriage and often took his frustrations out on me, torturing me in various ways," she explained. "So, bruises were common. As for the courtesan he became infatuated with, he was content to let her sing for him, so he no longer required my service at night."

"So, you are still a virgin?" Su Yang asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

"My husband...!"

...

The wind howled, rattling the windows until it finally died down long after.

The next morning, Su Yang woke up in high spirits, never having expected Lin Tingyu to truly be a virgin.

"Master, the Magistrate’s son is here and says he has matters to discuss with you," a steward reported. Su Yang went to meet him.

"Master Su, congratulations on your wedding night," Ma Ji said, rising from his chair with a smile.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Master Ma?" Su Yang asked as he sat down.

"It concerns our two families' marriage," Ma Ji said. "The Ma family feels there is no need to wait for your promotion to the Fourth Grade. We can move the date forward. The sooner, the better."

Su Yang was delighted. He had feared the Ma family might want to cancel the engagement. Marrying sooner meant he could start a family sooner.

"The sooner the better," Ma Ji agreed, eager to solidify the alliance.

"Since that is the case, we are agreed," Su Yang said. After some further pleasantries, Ma Ji left to report to his father.

Su Yang then visited Zhang Qingshi to discuss his plan for a grander wedding, which would also allow for more gifts to be collected. Zhang Qingshi, ever the dutiful wife, agreed to handle the arrangements.

The following day, Su Yang delivered the betrothal gifts to the Ma family, setting the wedding for ten days later.

At the Zhao residence, Zhao Wanjian grew anxious upon hearing the news and summoned his daughter, Zhao Hongyan, to discuss the matter.

"Why is the Ma family in such a hurry?" Zhao Hongyan asked, puzzled.

"They saw that the Lin girl was already married, so they are rushing to secure their own daughter's place," her father explained. After a long discussion, he urged her to marry sooner as well.

"Father, isn't this too rushed?" she asked, flustered.

"Marrying sooner means you can see Lan'er sooner, doesn't it?"

By the afternoon, Zhao Wanjian sent word to Su Yang to finalize their wedding date as well. A day later, Su Yang delivered the betrothal gifts to the Zhao family, setting their wedding date for nineteen days later.

When Su Yang met Zhao Hongyan again, the past animosity was gone, replaced by shyness. He brought the cat demon Lan'er with him and left her there, so she could be brought over by Zhao Hongyan at the wedding.

In Yanggu County, the news spread like wildfire. Everyone was discussing how Su Yang was taking three concubines from the three great families—the Ma, Zhao, and Lin families—all within the same month.

"What a lucky man! Three concubines in one month!" the townsfolk marveled.

...

Su Yang opened his status panel. His family progress was moving smoothly.

Name: Su Yang (Quasi-Immortal)
Incense Value: 198
Humanitarian Merit: 102
Realm: Fourth Grade
...
Family Progress:
1. Family status is thriving. You have many guards and a substantial residence. Your first wife is less than three months from giving birth. Become the number one family in Yanggu County to earn 5,000 Incense points and a [Sixth-Grade Mind-Control Insect].
2. Your concubine Taohua is six months pregnant. Prepare a tutor for the child to earn 2,000 Incense points.

Su Yang smiled. Everything was falling into place.

Suddenly, the sound of gongs echoed outside: "By the grace of Heaven, the Zhao Emperor has established the nation, with the title 'Zhao'. An amnesty is declared, and the calendar is changed to the first year of Tianjing."

The dynasty had changed. The war was over, and a new era of prosperity was beginning. Su Yang knew that with the new dynasty, the imperial examinations would soon follow, providing a chance to find the tutor he needed for his children.

"Master, the evil energy in Senior Shen Zhenxing’s tomb will dissipate in two or three hours," Zhao Shu reported excitedly from outside.

Su Yang felt a sense of peace. Life was finally beginning to flourish.