Chapter 1: One Misstep, Now a Concubine
The scorching July heat bore down relentlessly. Waves of heat shimmered in the air, the cicadas shrieked incessantly, making one irritable and dizzy. But for the Shu family, this moment felt like plunging into an icy hell. The sky above them had lost all light; not even the burning sun brought any warmth.
“Vice Prefect of Xuancheng, Shu Hanshan, colluded with the prefect and other officials, accepted bribes, and embezzled funds meant for dam construction. As a result, the dam collapsed, causing flooding that affected tens of thousands of people… The crimes are too numerous to list. He is now imprisoned, and will soon be executed. All property is to be confiscated, the women sent to the Department of Entertainment as state prostitutes, and the male family members exiled three thousand li.”
“No! How could this be?”
“There must be some mistake! Where’s Father? I want to see my father!”
“Lord Guo, someone must be framing my father! Please, save him!”
…
Just fifteen minutes ago, the Shu family had still been enjoying their privileged lives. Lady Shu had even been complaining about the heat, grumbling that they didn’t have enough ice and intended to buy more.
Who would’ve thought that in the blink of an eye, the head of the family would be thrown into prison, his life hanging by a thread. Those pampered ladies and young masters instantly fell from noble status to exiles and prostitutes. It all happened so fast.
None of the once-proud family members, regardless of age or gender, could hold themselves together. Everyone was stunned the moment they were surrounded by officials and began shouting in disbelief.
Only Lady Shu, who knew the truth, looked on as a flood of soldiers and yamen runners burst into the house. Porcelain shattered on the floor around her. She lifted her head toward the blinding sun, but all she saw was blackness before fainting.
Just before she passed out, only one thought flashed in her mind: The Shu family… is finished!
“Miss!”
Yuyan was trembling, her teeth chattering as she gripped her young mistress’s arm in panic.
“I’m fine.”
Shu Yunfu’s face was pale, her lips pressed tight. She gently patted Yuyan’s hand, trying to reassure her. Though not in much better shape, she remained far more composed than the others, who were wailing and hysterical.
As she looked at her brothers shackled in iron collars and her sisters being pushed toward the brothel bureau, a flicker of relief and fear passed through her eyes.
When a yamen runner came to push her as well, she quickly pulled Yuyan and strode toward the officials leading the raid.
“Stop! What are you trying to do?”
“Ah!”
A yamen runner rushed up in a panic, afraid she might offend someone important. Without a trace of gentleness, he grabbed her arm and shoved her toward the ground.
If not for Yuyan’s quick hand, Shu Yunfu would’ve fallen in disgrace. But even so, her elaborate hairpin fell, her jet-black hair spilling loose around her stunningly beautiful face—now touched by a disheveled elegance.
Several men at the scene grew even more covetous at the sight. Who would’ve thought the lowly Shu Dian Shi had such a gorgeous daughter hidden away?
And now this beauty was to be sent to the brothel bureau… the thought made them flush with excitement.
Noticing their gazes, Gu Changting frowned. A trace of displeasure flickered in his eyes. “She—”
“Stop! Shu Yunfu is my concubine. The law spares married daughters. Do not touch her!” said a voice quicker than his—his younger brother, Gu Changheng.
“Come here now!”
In front of everyone, Gu Changheng looked coldly at the disheveled Shu Yunfu. No matter what, she was his woman. How could these lowly people dare covet her?
“Yes.”
Under his icy gaze, Shu Yunfu clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and silently pulled Yuyan to hide behind Gu Changheng, not daring to lift her eyes.
“What’s going on here?”
Gu Changting’s gaze was sharp as lightning, his expression frosty.
Everyone was terrified, stepping back in fear, hoping not to be dragged into the brewing storm between the brothers.
“Big Brother…”
Gu Changheng’s heart trembled at his brother’s fury. His throat dry, he muttered, “Just… just a few days ago. We didn’t know then that Shu Hanshan would be found guilty. This Shu Yunfu is quite beautiful and sensible, so I thought… why not take her as a concubine…”
“A few days ago…”
Gu Changting glanced between his cousin and the woman cowering behind him. His lips curled with sarcasm, his eyes full of mockery.
“Oh come on, Big Brother! It’s just a woman. Besides, her deed of sale is in my hands—it’s even registered with the authorities. She’s already my concubine. This has nothing to do with the Shu family’s case.”
Gu Changheng had always feared this cousin—not only because Gu Changting was the Duke of England and the pillar of the Gu family, but also because, no matter how hard he tried, he could never surpass him.
This investigation into the embezzlement case in Xuancheng was supposed to be part of his training. He never should’ve let himself get distracted by a woman, much less take the disgraced Shu official’s daughter as a concubine. But no matter how furious his cousin was, he had no choice now.
“Deed of sale?”
Gu Changting’s brows furrowed deeper. He stared incredulously at the woman with her head bowed. “Was it of your own will?”
“Big Brother, come on. I’m not the type to force a woman.” Shu Yunfu didn’t respond. It was Gu Changheng who answered.
“Heh…”
With a cold laugh, Gu Changting turned away, not sparing them another glance. He watched as the entire Shu family was taken away, their once-glorious estate reduced to ruins.
“No! I don’t want to go to the brothel bureau! Please save me, Lord Guo! Think of all the hospitality the Shu family showed you—please save me!”
“Lord Guo! Second Young Master Gu! You saved Shu Yunfu—why can’t you save us too? Whatever she can do, we can do too! I’ll sign a deed too! I beg you!”
“Third Sister, please help us! We’re siblings! Save us!”
…
Cries and pleas echoed endlessly, but neither Gu Changting, Gu Changheng, nor Shu Yunfu said a single word. They merely watched silently as the chaos slowly subsided.
They watched the Shu family scream and struggle as they were dragged away. Watched their pleading eyes turn to hatred and then despair. Watched the once-prominent Shu family of Xuancheng reduced to dust.
Back in her courtyard, Shu Yunfu collapsed the moment she entered the room, her legs giving out beneath her.
“Miss!”
Yuyan rushed to help her sit, her own face pale with fear.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Leaning on the table, Shu Yunfu steadied herself. She fumbled for a cup of hot tea, gulped it down in sips, trying to calm her pounding heart. But all her strength was gone.
When she first transmigrated into this feudal world of Da Rong, into the body of a newborn girl who died from a difficult birth, Shu Yunfu had not been afraid. She adapted quickly, planning for her future from a young age. She’d never been scared—until today.
For sixteen years, she lived in the Shu family, growing from a powerless infant into a young woman. She had gone hungry, been cold, beaten, scolded, and bullied.
A concubine’s daughter without a powerful father or a protective mother, especially in a family like the Shus where only useful people had value, her life had always been hard—but she had never been afraid.
But today, she was.
Even though she had grown up in this rigid, hierarchical world, she had still felt relatively safe, protected by her father's status.
But Shu Hanshan—who once held such authority that the entire Shu family depended on his mood—was destroyed by just one word from Gu Changting. His decades of effort vanished overnight. His family was reduced to dirt.
Only now did she feel how truly terrifying power could be.
She felt an overwhelming sense of relief that she had taken precautions when she discovered Gu Changting was investigating her father. She had secured a way out for herself.
Even if that “way out” had ended up like this…
“Miss, what do we do now? Lord Guo’s look just now was terrifying…”
Yuyan’s face crumpled as she turned to her mistress in distress.
“What can we do? Nothing!”
Shu Yunfu let out a long sigh and spread her hands. “It’s not like I wanted this either. But what choice did I have? If I hadn’t signed that deed and become Gu Changheng’s concubine, both of us would’ve been drinking the soup of forgetfulness by now.”
She knew better than anyone how terrifying Gu Changting was. She didn’t want this outcome. She was desperate too.
Sure, Gu Changheng looked decent—handsome, young, capable, a nobleman's cousin. By any measure, being his concubine was a step up. But unfortunately, he came with his cousin—Gu Changting.
When the two stood together, Gu Changheng didn't even count as a younger brother. Gu Changting’s presence was overwhelming—radiant, even in a capital full of the empire’s brightest talents.
She would’ve had to be out of her mind to choose Gu Changheng over Gu Changting.
But what choice did she have? Back then, in that moment, if she hadn’t decisively signed that deed to become Gu Changheng’s concubine, she’d be dead by now. Even that was a result of careful scheming and persuasive talk.
She’d been about to secure a place by Gu Changting’s side, to return to the capital with him—whether as a concubine or a mistress, it was a win.
But who could’ve guessed she’d overhear a secret between Gu Changheng and his servant… and get caught.
Damn Gu Changheng. Her cheap father even gave them the best courtyard in the manor. Why couldn’t they talk privately inside their own rooms? Didn’t they know that in someone else’s house, walls have ears?
“Vice Prefect of Xuancheng, Shu Hanshan, colluded with the prefect and other officials, accepted bribes, and embezzled funds meant for dam construction. As a result, the dam collapsed, causing flooding that affected tens of thousands of people… The crimes are too numerous to list. He is now imprisoned, and will soon be executed. All property is to be confiscated, the women sent to the Department of Entertainment as state prostitutes, and the male family members exiled three thousand li.”
“No! How could this be?”
“There must be some mistake! Where’s Father? I want to see my father!”
“Lord Guo, someone must be framing my father! Please, save him!”
…
Just fifteen minutes ago, the Shu family had still been enjoying their privileged lives. Lady Shu had even been complaining about the heat, grumbling that they didn’t have enough ice and intended to buy more.
Who would’ve thought that in the blink of an eye, the head of the family would be thrown into prison, his life hanging by a thread. Those pampered ladies and young masters instantly fell from noble status to exiles and prostitutes. It all happened so fast.
None of the once-proud family members, regardless of age or gender, could hold themselves together. Everyone was stunned the moment they were surrounded by officials and began shouting in disbelief.
Only Lady Shu, who knew the truth, looked on as a flood of soldiers and yamen runners burst into the house. Porcelain shattered on the floor around her. She lifted her head toward the blinding sun, but all she saw was blackness before fainting.
Just before she passed out, only one thought flashed in her mind: The Shu family… is finished!
“Miss!”
Yuyan was trembling, her teeth chattering as she gripped her young mistress’s arm in panic.
“I’m fine.”
Shu Yunfu’s face was pale, her lips pressed tight. She gently patted Yuyan’s hand, trying to reassure her. Though not in much better shape, she remained far more composed than the others, who were wailing and hysterical.
As she looked at her brothers shackled in iron collars and her sisters being pushed toward the brothel bureau, a flicker of relief and fear passed through her eyes.
When a yamen runner came to push her as well, she quickly pulled Yuyan and strode toward the officials leading the raid.
“Stop! What are you trying to do?”
“Ah!”
A yamen runner rushed up in a panic, afraid she might offend someone important. Without a trace of gentleness, he grabbed her arm and shoved her toward the ground.
If not for Yuyan’s quick hand, Shu Yunfu would’ve fallen in disgrace. But even so, her elaborate hairpin fell, her jet-black hair spilling loose around her stunningly beautiful face—now touched by a disheveled elegance.
Several men at the scene grew even more covetous at the sight. Who would’ve thought the lowly Shu Dian Shi had such a gorgeous daughter hidden away?
And now this beauty was to be sent to the brothel bureau… the thought made them flush with excitement.
Noticing their gazes, Gu Changting frowned. A trace of displeasure flickered in his eyes. “She—”
“Stop! Shu Yunfu is my concubine. The law spares married daughters. Do not touch her!” said a voice quicker than his—his younger brother, Gu Changheng.
“Come here now!”
In front of everyone, Gu Changheng looked coldly at the disheveled Shu Yunfu. No matter what, she was his woman. How could these lowly people dare covet her?
“Yes.”
Under his icy gaze, Shu Yunfu clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and silently pulled Yuyan to hide behind Gu Changheng, not daring to lift her eyes.
“What’s going on here?”
Gu Changting’s gaze was sharp as lightning, his expression frosty.
Everyone was terrified, stepping back in fear, hoping not to be dragged into the brewing storm between the brothers.
“Big Brother…”
Gu Changheng’s heart trembled at his brother’s fury. His throat dry, he muttered, “Just… just a few days ago. We didn’t know then that Shu Hanshan would be found guilty. This Shu Yunfu is quite beautiful and sensible, so I thought… why not take her as a concubine…”
“A few days ago…”
Gu Changting glanced between his cousin and the woman cowering behind him. His lips curled with sarcasm, his eyes full of mockery.
“Oh come on, Big Brother! It’s just a woman. Besides, her deed of sale is in my hands—it’s even registered with the authorities. She’s already my concubine. This has nothing to do with the Shu family’s case.”
Gu Changheng had always feared this cousin—not only because Gu Changting was the Duke of England and the pillar of the Gu family, but also because, no matter how hard he tried, he could never surpass him.
This investigation into the embezzlement case in Xuancheng was supposed to be part of his training. He never should’ve let himself get distracted by a woman, much less take the disgraced Shu official’s daughter as a concubine. But no matter how furious his cousin was, he had no choice now.
“Deed of sale?”
Gu Changting’s brows furrowed deeper. He stared incredulously at the woman with her head bowed. “Was it of your own will?”
“Big Brother, come on. I’m not the type to force a woman.” Shu Yunfu didn’t respond. It was Gu Changheng who answered.
“Heh…”
With a cold laugh, Gu Changting turned away, not sparing them another glance. He watched as the entire Shu family was taken away, their once-glorious estate reduced to ruins.
“No! I don’t want to go to the brothel bureau! Please save me, Lord Guo! Think of all the hospitality the Shu family showed you—please save me!”
“Lord Guo! Second Young Master Gu! You saved Shu Yunfu—why can’t you save us too? Whatever she can do, we can do too! I’ll sign a deed too! I beg you!”
“Third Sister, please help us! We’re siblings! Save us!”
…
Cries and pleas echoed endlessly, but neither Gu Changting, Gu Changheng, nor Shu Yunfu said a single word. They merely watched silently as the chaos slowly subsided.
They watched the Shu family scream and struggle as they were dragged away. Watched their pleading eyes turn to hatred and then despair. Watched the once-prominent Shu family of Xuancheng reduced to dust.
Back in her courtyard, Shu Yunfu collapsed the moment she entered the room, her legs giving out beneath her.
“Miss!”
Yuyan rushed to help her sit, her own face pale with fear.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Leaning on the table, Shu Yunfu steadied herself. She fumbled for a cup of hot tea, gulped it down in sips, trying to calm her pounding heart. But all her strength was gone.
When she first transmigrated into this feudal world of Da Rong, into the body of a newborn girl who died from a difficult birth, Shu Yunfu had not been afraid. She adapted quickly, planning for her future from a young age. She’d never been scared—until today.
For sixteen years, she lived in the Shu family, growing from a powerless infant into a young woman. She had gone hungry, been cold, beaten, scolded, and bullied.
A concubine’s daughter without a powerful father or a protective mother, especially in a family like the Shus where only useful people had value, her life had always been hard—but she had never been afraid.
But today, she was.
Even though she had grown up in this rigid, hierarchical world, she had still felt relatively safe, protected by her father's status.
But Shu Hanshan—who once held such authority that the entire Shu family depended on his mood—was destroyed by just one word from Gu Changting. His decades of effort vanished overnight. His family was reduced to dirt.
Only now did she feel how truly terrifying power could be.
She felt an overwhelming sense of relief that she had taken precautions when she discovered Gu Changting was investigating her father. She had secured a way out for herself.
Even if that “way out” had ended up like this…
“Miss, what do we do now? Lord Guo’s look just now was terrifying…”
Yuyan’s face crumpled as she turned to her mistress in distress.
“What can we do? Nothing!”
Shu Yunfu let out a long sigh and spread her hands. “It’s not like I wanted this either. But what choice did I have? If I hadn’t signed that deed and become Gu Changheng’s concubine, both of us would’ve been drinking the soup of forgetfulness by now.”
She knew better than anyone how terrifying Gu Changting was. She didn’t want this outcome. She was desperate too.
Sure, Gu Changheng looked decent—handsome, young, capable, a nobleman's cousin. By any measure, being his concubine was a step up. But unfortunately, he came with his cousin—Gu Changting.
When the two stood together, Gu Changheng didn't even count as a younger brother. Gu Changting’s presence was overwhelming—radiant, even in a capital full of the empire’s brightest talents.
She would’ve had to be out of her mind to choose Gu Changheng over Gu Changting.
But what choice did she have? Back then, in that moment, if she hadn’t decisively signed that deed to become Gu Changheng’s concubine, she’d be dead by now. Even that was a result of careful scheming and persuasive talk.
She’d been about to secure a place by Gu Changting’s side, to return to the capital with him—whether as a concubine or a mistress, it was a win.
But who could’ve guessed she’d overhear a secret between Gu Changheng and his servant… and get caught.
Damn Gu Changheng. Her cheap father even gave them the best courtyard in the manor. Why couldn’t they talk privately inside their own rooms? Didn’t they know that in someone else’s house, walls have ears?
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