I was originally the daughter of the richest man in the capital city. Marrying Gu Lin was just a mutually beneficial transaction.

At that time, Gu's father, as the governor of Jiangnan, was responsible for a batch of tribute rice that had been improperly stored and had decayed more than half. In terms of calculation, it was equivalent to one year's food supply for the people of the capital city.

The Gu family had served as officials for three generations, known for their integrity, but they couldn't afford to fill this loophole even if they bankrupted themselves.

Meanwhile, my father happened to want to expand his business to the southern region and obtaining the support of local officials was crucial.

One side wanted money, the other wanted power, and they easily tied me and Gu Lin together.

At the time, I was unwilling. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life buried in a family estate.

I wanted to do business, to open the largest restaurant in the capital city, and to be as wealthy as my father.

However, I was a woman, tightly held by someone's leverage.

"Yueting, it's your parents' command and the matchmaker's words. As long as you marry Gu Lin, I will return all of your mother's belongings. Otherwise, you know, Aunt Ling has asked me several times..."

My father threatened me lightly, peering at the dregs in his teacup.

Since I was very young, I knew that my father loved not my mother, but Aunt Ling.

He married my mother back then just to gain the support of her father.

When my mother gave birth to me, she suffered from postpartum hemorrhage, but my father spent the whole night in Aunt Ling's courtyard.

My mother barely survived, but she was bedridden from then on and passed away when I was six years old:

"A Yue, you must remember that love that fluctuates between favoring one and another is the deadliest poison. You must find a husband who loves only you in this life."

After my mother's death, my father collected all of her belongings in a large box and forbade anyone from touching them.

But the servants spread rumors that as the daughter of the largest silk merchant in the capital city, each of my mother's belongings was a rare treasure, and they became coveted by Aunt Ling.

But even if it cost me my life, I would never let my mother's things fall into that vile woman's hands.

So, what did getting married matter?

I didn't care.

With a clear mind, I boldly wore my wedding gown and entered the Gu residence, making a promise to Gu Lin when he unveiled my face.

"Gu Lang, I know neither of us wants this marriage, but I can't accept sharing a husband with another woman. So, we agreed that if you take concubines in the future, we will divorce amicably."

"Madam, are you sure you want to discuss divorce on our wedding day? And who told you that I don't want this marriage?"

Gu Lin smiled and said, offering the wedding wine to my lips.

"To be honest, I had a chance encounter with Madam at last year's lantern festival and was captivated at first sight. So, when my father chose a marriage partner, I didn't hesitate to choose you. Rest assured, I won't take concubines."

I looked at him with surprise, gazing into his affectionate eyes, and together we drank the wedding wine.

Why not give it a try?

What if Gu Lin could truly love only me in this lifetime?

That's what the voice in my heart said.

Initially, Gu Lin was really good to me after we got married.

He would help me with my hair, draw my eyebrows, and hold my hand as we went to see the crowded lantern festival.

But, at that time, I didn't understand that people's hearts are fickle.