**The Farmer's Little Sweetheart** Chapter 1

**Chapter 1**

As soon as October arrived, the capital saw the first snowfall of the winter. The large, fluffy snowflakes fell all night, and by the following morning, everything—from the rooftops to the streets—was covered in a thick, white blanket.

In the alley of Xijing Hutong, the servants of each household had already opened their doors and were busy clearing the snow in front of their entrances. Just then, a commotion erupted in front of a nearby residence, disrupting the calm of the morning.

This was the home of Master Du, a Hanlin scholar with quite a "reputation" in Xijing Hutong—not for his achievements, but because he had a particularly domineering mother. The houses in Xijing Hutong were modest, and the families who lived here were mostly impoverished officials. Since these residents were somehow connected to officialdom, they generally cared about their reputations and decorum. However, Master Du’s mother was an exception.

How could one describe her?
She was the epitome of a coarse village woman. The residents of the hutong often heard her scolding her daughter-in-law, who was pitiful indeed. Kept indoors and forbidden from leaving the house, the young wife frequently endured her mother-in-law’s harsh treatment. It was said that Mrs. Lu, the young wife, was also a country woman who was married into the Du family before Master Du’s success. Rumor had it that she suffered from poor eyesight and was physically frail. Despite being married to Master Du for six or seven years, she had yet to bear him any children.

Though every family has its troubles, people usually wouldn’t pay much attention to the affairs of the Du household. Recently, however, an event had drawn considerable interest from the people of Xijing Hutong.

Word had it that Master Du was about to make it big.

The reason for his good fortune was simple: he had managed to secure a highly desirable connection. His academic mentor, Minister Liu—a prominent official who served as the chief examiner of the last imperial examination—had shown an interest in making him his son-in-law.

Normally, such news would not have reached the ears of outsiders. However, two of Master Du’s neighbors, who were also his colleagues at the Hanlin Academy, had heard about it. Though they were gentlemen who refrained from gossip, the servants of these modest officials weren’t as discreet. They often shared stories among households while they worked, so it was not long before the news of “Master Du climbing up the social ladder” spread throughout Xijing Hutong.

Those unfamiliar with the details might exclaim, “What wonderful news!”

A handsome young scholar, a talented lady—a perfect match indeed!

And it truly was a good opportunity. Even though those who passed the imperial exams were all outstanding talents, the term “poor Hanlin scholar” was not without truth. The idea that one’s life would instantly become prosperous upon passing the imperial exams was mostly a fantasy crafted by struggling scholars. Even if one were to place first in the exam, the glory was fleeting. Upon entering the Hanlin Academy, one would still have to endure a three-year period of limited advancement, with future prospects relying heavily on fortune and connections.

Therefore, becoming the son-in-law of the Minister of Rites was an unparalleled opportunity, one that could save Master Du twenty years of struggle.

Especially for a scholar like Master Du, who came from a humble background.

Upon hearing this news, many in Xijing Hutong felt a mix of envy and admiration, though most watched with a sense of anticipation.

Why? Because Master Du already had a wife.

Among officials, reputation was paramount. The saying “a virtuous wife should not be cast aside” held considerable weight, and while there were no laws forbidding the abandonment of one’s first wife, most officials avoided such acts. This was why so many were waiting eagerly to see what would happen. Master Du had always presented himself as a gentleman; would he abandon his “virtuous wife” for ambition?

Many were eager to see how it would unfold.

And so, when the famously domineering mother of Master Du finally cast his wife, Mrs. Lu, out of the house, thrusting a divorce paper into her hands, the nearby servants paused in their work to gather around. Some even rushed back to their homes to notify their masters, hoping to be rewarded for delivering the news.

Within moments, a large crowd had gathered in front of the Du residence, forming three layers around the entrance, eager to witness the drama.

"Keeping you, a barren hen, as my son’s legitimate wife was my son’s kindness," scolded an elderly woman standing at the entrance of the Du household. She was dressed in a dark blue jacket embroidered with the symbols of fortune and longevity. She appeared to be in her fifties, with her hair tied neatly in a bun, her long, narrow face set with arched eyebrows and high cheekbones. Thin-lipped, her face radiated a harsh, contemptuous look, her gaze filled with undisguised loathing as she pointed at the frail woman collapsed on the ground before her.

The woman, Mrs. Lu, was painfully thin and dressed in a single, flimsy jacket, which only emphasized her frailty in the freezing weather. Her appearance was shockingly mismatched with her husband’s youth and vigor. Master Du, in his mid-twenties, was handsome and full of youthful energy, whereas Mrs. Lu looked as if she were past thirty, even closer to forty.

Those who witnessed her pitiful state were moved by a mix of surprise and pity. A thought ran through their minds: it was no wonder the Du family wanted her out—she didn’t belong.

What was meant by “didn’t belong” didn’t need to be said.

Without needing to look in a mirror, Mrs. Lu, also known as Lu Jiaoyue, knew how disheveled she appeared. But who was to blame? She felt utterly lost at this moment.

She had already sensed her husband’s ambition, his desire to reach greater heights, though everyone in the household had concealed this from her. But she had ears, and while her eyes had deteriorated due to years of embroidery work, her hearing was keen. The servants often spoke freely within earshot, oblivious to her presence, and she had long suspected her husband’s intentions.

Yet she held onto a final shred of hope. After all, she and her husband had endured hardships together. She had worked tirelessly to support him through his studies. To educate a scholar required more than mere effort—it was a financial strain that exceeded her imagination. Besides the escalating tuition fees, there were the daily expenses of ink and paper. After he became a successful candidate in the local examination, he needed funds to socialize and travel with his peers, adding even more to the expenses.

Where did the money come from?

Master Du came from a poor family with no steady income. Since her marriage, Lu Jiaoyue had initially relied on her dowry and the support of her family. But eventually, her family could no longer bear the burden. Driven by necessity, she took to sewing and embroidery, selling her handiwork to sustain their household.

Every hardship she had endured, every sleepless night spent sewing until her eyesight deteriorated, she had done for him. When Master Du finally succeeded in the imperial examinations and joined the Hanlin Academy, her heart was filled with pride. She thought her sacrifices had paid off, that she could finally rest. Little did she know that this would be her fate.

Was she angry?

Of course, she was.

No one understood the extent of her sacrifices. And now, her husband, who owed his success entirely to her, intended to discard her under the guise of her barrenness.

But she was not barren. She had once been pregnant, only to lose the child due to exhaustion. Since then, no other pregnancy had followed. Her husband knew this, yet he had once promised to honor her sacrifices by bringing her a better life.

Were those promises lies?

With these thoughts, Lu Jiaoyue’s heartache caused her to cough uncontrollably. She covered her mouth, struggling to suppress the pain. After a while, she managed to stand and looked directly at her mother-in-law with newfound resolve.

"Is this divorce your decision or my husband’s?" she asked.

Her mother-in-law sneered, unwilling to answer. Instead, she continued to berate Lu Jiaoyue, insisting she was unworthy of staying in their family.

At this point, Lu Jiaoyue understood everything. There was no denying it anymore.