the rise of the useless son-in-law of a wealthy family

a marriage

In a small village filled with the sound of trickling water and the scent of fresh leaves, a young man named Su Jian lived as the village’s laughingstock. With a skinny frame, tattered clothes, and a vacant gaze, he was nothing more than a fool whose strange antics often drew laughter. Yet, there was something about him that no one knew.

That morning, the village was busier than usual. The residents whispered among themselves as they carried flowers and red lanterns. Amid the hustle and bustle, Su Jian sat by the roadside, engrossed in playing with a wooden stick like a child discovering a new toy. He paid no attention to the mocking gazes or soft laughter directed at him. To him, the world was an endless game.

“Hey, Su Jian!” shouted a burly man named Lao Wu. “Do you know what’s happening today? You’re getting married to the most beautiful girl from the Xia family! Haha! You probably don’t even understand, do you?”

Lao Wu and a few other men laughed heartily, as if the news was the funniest joke they’d ever heard. But Su Jian only looked at them with a clueless expression.

“Marriage? Does that mean I get free food?” he asked, scratching his head.

“Of course, Su Jian,” Lao Wu replied, slapping his shoulder hard. “Food, fancy clothes, and maybe... a wife who will yell at you for the rest of your life. Hahaha!”

But behind all the ridicule, there was something strange. This marriage was no ordinary decision. The Xia family was the most respected family in the village, known for their wealth and honor. The girl in question, Xia Lengyi, was a woman whose beauty was like a plum blossom in winter — cold, captivating, and untouchable. Why would the Xia family agree to marry off their daughter to a man like Su Jian?

 

Behind the Xia Family's Decision

Inside the Xia family’s pavilion, Xia Lengyi sat gracefully in a bright red dress embroidered with gold. Despite her extraordinary beauty, her face was as cold as the snow on a mountaintop. Her sharp eyes reflected an unmistakable displeasure.

“Father, this is an insult!” she said firmly. “Why must I marry that fool? Has the Xia family lost all its pride?”

Xia Jing, her father, sighed heavily. As the head of the family, he was used to making difficult decisions. But this time, his heart felt equally burdened.

“Lengyi, you must understand that this marriage is more than just a personal relationship. It’s a political decision,” he said. “Su Jian may appear foolish, but he’s part of the Su family, which holds great influence behind the scenes. If we don’t align with them, we could lose everything.”

Lengyi clenched her fists, struggling to contain her anger. “What about my honor? Are you truly willing to sacrifice it for the family’s benefit?”

Before Xia Jing could answer, the pavilion doors opened. An elderly woman entered with slow but authoritative steps. Lengyi’s grandmother, Xia Yuwen, was the family’s respected matriarch.

“Lengyi,” she said in a soft yet commanding voice, “sometimes the sacrifices we make today will bring happiness in the future. That man may appear foolish, but who knows what lies beneath his exterior?”

Lengyi looked at her grandmother, puzzled. “What do you mean, Grandmother?”

Xia Yuwen smiled faintly. “Time will reveal everything, my dear.”

 

The Wedding Day

Amid the chaos of preparations, Su Jian was finally forced to bathe and put on wedding attire. When the mirror reflected his appearance, he chuckled to himself. “I look like a decorative rooster, don’t I?” he muttered, twirling in front of the glass.

His attendants shook their heads, half suppressing laughter. But when Su Jian walked into the main hall for the ceremony, everyone who had previously mocked him suddenly fell silent. Though known as a fool, there was something different about him today. Perhaps it was the red clothing that gave him an air of dignity, or maybe it was the way the sunlight illuminated his face, making him appear... not entirely foolish.

On the other side of the hall, Xia Lengyi entered with her head held high. Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, ignoring the presence of her groom. Yet as she approached, something about Su Jian made her pause. Was it his sincere smile or the way his eyes shone with pure joy? Lengyi couldn’t explain it, and she quickly dismissed the thought.

“Kneel!” the master of ceremonies commanded, starting the traditional process. Su Jian mimicked the action clumsily, while Lengyi did it with grace. They worshipped the heavens, the earth, and their parents, before finally becoming husband and wife.

When the ceremony ended, cheers filled the hall. Yet amid the commotion, Xia Lengyi felt an emptiness in her heart. This marriage was merely a formality, a power play she never wanted.

 

After the feast, Su Jian was dragged to the bridal chamber by a few overly enthusiastic villagers. They kept joking, making remarks that made Su Jian chuckle without truly understanding their meaning.

Inside the room, Xia Lengyi was already sitting at the edge of the bed, still wearing her wedding dress. Her face showed no emotion, but her gaze was sharp enough to make anyone retreat.

“Do you know the rules here, Su Jian?” she asked coldly.

Su Jian, busy examining the room’s decorations, turned with a wide grin. “Rules? What are those? Do I have to eat before sleeping?”

Lengyi scoffed. “The rule is, you must not come near me. This marriage is merely an agreement. Don’t think you can touch me, not even a little.”

Su Jian nodded obediently, though he didn’t fully grasp her meaning. “Alright, alright. I won’t touch you. Besides, I don’t know what to do anyway.”

His response left Lengyi momentarily speechless. For a moment, she almost felt pity for the man before her. But she quickly steeled her heart.

 

That night, after Lengyi had fallen asleep, Su Jian sat in the corner of the room, gazing at the night sky through a small window. His smile faded, replaced by an unusually serious expression.

With practiced precision, he pulled out a small scroll from inside his sleeve. Under the moonlight, he read it intently, his eyes shining with hidden intelligence.

“The game has just begun,” he whispered, before tucking the scroll away and resuming his usual foolish demeanor.