Chapter 3: The Rich Family, Hehe

The Xu family in Xuanwu City is engaged in the silk and fabric business, owning thousands of acres of mulberry fields and cotton fields, making them extremely wealthy.

Xu Qianqian, the daughter of the Xu family, is a top beauty in Xuanwu City, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She stands out not only in Xuanwu City but also among the elite ladies in the entire Nujiang County.

From the age of fifteen, she helped her father manage the family business, showing great acumen and capability. She also made friends with many daughters of high-ranking officials and nobles, allowing the Xu family to smoothly integrate into the upper-class society of Nu Prefecture.

This young lady, who combines beauty, talent, and wealth, is the dream lover of countless young men. Even the foolish and incompetent Shen Lang, despite his exceptional looks, is completely out of her league.

However, no one expected that a year ago, Xu Qianqian suddenly fell seriously ill. Despite her father's efforts to seek treatment from all the doctors in the vicinity, her condition did not improve, and it seemed she was on the verge of death.

At this time, a Taoist approached the head of the Xu family, claiming that Xu Qianqian was not actually sick but had been bewitched. The only way to save his daughter was through a marriage ceremony to transfer the misfortune and evil energy to the groom.

Naturally, the head of the Xu family did not believe this, but with Xu Qianqian's condition deteriorating rapidly, he had no choice but to publicly seek a husband for her in Nujiang County.

In the past, countless young men would have vied for this marriage opportunity. Even if Xu Qianqian were to die, the prospect of marrying into the wealthy Xu family would have attracted numerous suitors.

However, the purpose of seeking a husband for Xu Qianqian was to perform the marriage ceremony to transfer the misfortune, so no one dared to step forward.

While other young men may have admired Xu Qianqian, Shen Lang, from another world, had been infatuated with her since he accidentally saw her two years ago. He didn't just admire her; he worshipped her like a goddess.

After being expelled from school and returning home, he spent his days drawing and painting on the ground, mostly depicting Xu Qianqian's beauty.

When he heard about Xu Qianqian's illness and the need for a marriage ceremony to transfer the misfortune, he rushed to the Xu family without hesitation, declaring his willingness to marry Xu Qianqian for the ceremony, without consulting his parents.

Naturally, his parents and younger brother were opposed to this and tried to stop him, but it was too late. Shen Lang had already married the unconscious Xu Qianqian. Even so, his family insisted on taking him back, but they were driven out by the Xu family.

At that time, the steward of the Xu family offered Shen Lang's father fifty gold coins, but his father threw them back, refusing to accept money for selling his son.

Thus, Shen Lang became the unwanted son-in-law of the Xu family.

A handsome but intellectually challenged and poor country boy had entered the wealthy household.

However, Shen Lang's intention in becoming the Xu family's son-in-law was solely to save his beloved Xu Qianqian, even if the marriage ceremony seemed absurd.

To everyone's surprise, after the marriage, Xu Qianqian miraculously recovered and became even more beautiful.

This unexpected turn of events brought great joy to the Xu family.

Shen Lang had no desire for recognition. He continued to live in his small courtyard, reading and painting every day.

The Xu family's attitude towards him became complicated. While they were pleased with Xu Qianqian's recovery, they couldn't ignore Shen Lang's foolish and simple nature, which they felt was unworthy of Xu Qianqian.

As a result, the servants began to gossip, and their disdainful glances towards Shen Lang became more evident. The quality of his meals deteriorated, and he was eventually relegated to live in the woodshed without even a bed.

When Xu Qianqian discovered this mistreatment, she was furious. She punished the servants who had mistreated Shen Lang and publicly declared that anyone who dared to bully him would be expelled from the Xu family.

As a result, Shen Lang returned to his splendid courtyard and received excellent meals every day. Xu Qianqian even visited him regularly, making his days feel like a fairy tale.

Despite being married for several months, he had not even touched his wife, Xu Qianqian. However, just being able to see her and hear her voice made Shen Lang incredibly happy and content.

But half a month ago, Shen Lang suddenly fell seriously ill. Despite Xu Qianqian's efforts to find the best doctors, his condition worsened day by day until he eventually passed away, allowing the soul of the Earth's Shen Lang to take over this body.

Thus, his brief life was a complete and utter tragedy, a foolish tragedy!

...

Shen Lang sighed inwardly.

Then, he discovered that besides the memories of the two individuals, there was something else in his mind.

It was filled with mysterious and magical things, and he couldn't help but concentrate, wanting to explore further in his mind.

At that moment, footsteps could be heard outside.

"This useless guy should be dead by now. He's really resilient, lasted so many days before dying!"

"It's good that he's dead, so he won't delay our young lady."

"Yeah, this useless guy from the countryside, trying to marry our wealthy young lady. How could his wretched life bear such good fortune? His luck has truly run out."

"But even if he's dead, it's worth it. Our young lady is like a celestial being, caring for him every day, attending to his every need."

"Our young lady is kind-hearted. She even spends half an hour every day chatting with this lunatic."

Xu Qianqian had previously ordered that no one should bully Shen Lang, otherwise they would be expelled from the Xu family. So, the servants and maids had not dared to mock Shen Lang before. However, seeing Shen Lang on the verge of death these past few days, their courage had gradually grown.

As they mocked and opened the door, they would come in every half hour to check on Shen Lang's condition.

"Go see if he's breathed his last!" a maid covering her nose said after entering.

The next moment, she let out a cry of disbelief, staring at Shen Lang in shock.

Just over half an hour ago, she had checked on him, and he was clearly on the brink of death, lifeless. But now, not only had he not died, he was sitting up in bed, albeit weak, but surprisingly alert.

"You, you're not dead?" the maid blurted out.

"Yeah, I'm not dead," Shen Lang replied.

The servants stared at him in astonishment for a while, then the lead maid said, "Hurry, go tell the master, go tell the young lady, Shen Lang isn't dead."

Then, the servants hurriedly left the room.

...

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