From then on, he never touched the original host. The original host's upbringing made her ashamed to bring up the matter herself, nor did she insist.
In fact, the original host liked Shen Si. She bore his bad temper with submission and never lost her temper when the children disliked her, trying her best to be better.
As a result, instead of gaining her husband's consideration or her children's respect, their attitude towards her only worsened.
She was lost, unsure of how to satisfy them, so she could only try her best to be good to them, striving to be a loving stepmother.
Until the arrival of that noble and beautiful woman, she lost even her last shred of illusion and dignity.
After being rejected by Shen Si, Princess Qingluan was heartbroken. She ate and slept little, falling gravely ill and passing away.
At this time, Lou Qing, a military doctor from the 22nd century, transmigrated.
She found a severely wounded foreign friend on the battlefield and, adhering to the principle of medicine knowing no borders, hid him to treat him.
Unexpectedly, she was ambushed. The patient she had painstakingly treated shot her in the back, and then she transmigrated into the body of Princess Qingluan, the little princess of Chu Yun Kingdom.
She absorbed all of Qingluan's memories and, upon learning of her fondness for the handsome and imposing General Shen Si, decided to fulfill her final wish.
She had no interest in men her entire life and certainly couldn't marry Shen Si in place of Princess Qingluan. However, she could heal his leg injury, which could be considered fulfilling a small wish for Princess Qingluan, as a reward for using her body!
After completing this wish, this body would belong to her, and she would live her life splendidly in it!
As it turned out, during her interactions with Shen Si, she was conquered by his handsome, brooding exterior and tender, passionate heart, and consequently, she fell deeply in love with him.
His six children were also adorable and soft, always prioritizing her with delicious food and fun things.
As for that country wife, no, strictly speaking, she was just a nanny bought for ten taels of silver. Shen Si had never touched her.
As long as Shen Si gave her a divorce letter, she could still remarry in the future, and she and Shen Si, lovers, could be together openly.
At this time, Shen Si discovered that Qingluan was not as delicate and useless as he had imagined. Instead, she was heroic and possessed unique insights into everything, and slowly, they began to appreciate each other.
Unable to help themselves, they confessed their feelings and, after an intimate encounter, Shen Si issued a divorce letter to the original host to avoid mistreating her.
The original host was unwilling, pleaded desperately, and was even humiliated.
Overwhelmed by grief and indignation, she threw herself against a pillar and died.
Of course, for Shen Si and Lou Qing, this was just a minor interlude. They merely regretted her passing, gave her a grand burial, and considered it a fitting end for her selfless devotion.
Shen Si's leg injury was healed. Moreover, during a time of war, he reverted to the mighty and powerful general he was. After winning a battle, he asked the Emperor for Princess Qingluan's hand, and they lived a loving life together, their story becoming a beautiful legend in later generations.
"Original host's request: She felt her life was insignificant and lacked dignity. She wanted to live with dignity and make everyone who looked down on her regret it."
After accepting the plot, Qiao Ci's gaze was calm.
At this time, Lou Qing had already arrived. Due to the poor medical conditions in the countryside, she was now taking Shen Si to a town clinic to prepare for his surgery.
They would return in three days.
Qiao Ci looked at the wet quilt on the bed, then at her own damp clothes...
After changing her clothes, she walked out of the room.
Just then, several children, pulling the village chief, arrived at the door and made eye contact with Qiao Ci.
The eldest, Shen Yi, pointed at Qiao Ci and began to complain, "Grandpa Village Chief, my stepmother just told us to get lost."
The fifth daughter, Shen Wu, started crying loudly, "Waaah, I don't want to get lost. This is my home. She should get lost. She's a wicked stepmother, and she's not as good to us as Auntie Qing. We don't like her!"
The second son, Shen Er, also chimed in, "Grandpa Village Chief, she's taking advantage of Father going to town to bully us siblings. You must uphold justice for us."
The village chief looked at Qiao Ci with some difficulty.
He wasn't blind. Ever since Qiao Ci married into their village, she had been exemplary with the children.
It was just that these children, for some unknown reason, disliked Qiao Ci and often complained to him. Having to mediate and make decisions for them all the time put him, the village chief, in a difficult position.
Looking at the expectant eyes of the children, the village chief said earnestly to Qiao Ci, "Shen family's daughter-in-law, I know being a stepmother isn't easy. But the children are still young. Be more patient, and they will eventually accept you."
Qiao Ci knew it was difficult for the village chief too. Later, because he spoke a few words for the original host, the children resented him and often played tricks on him.
In the eyes of Shen Si and Lou Qing, these children were all innocent, lively, and playful. Their harm to others was merely verbal apologies, and they didn't do much more.
"I understand. Village Chief, you can go about your business." Qiao Ci bid farewell to the village chief and closed the main door.
The children looked at her smugly, "Hurry up and cook for us. I want to eat eggs and sweet rice porridge. If you don't, we'll go out and tell everyone how wicked you are. You're a wicked stepmother."
After saying that, she put her hands on her hips and snorted proudly.
Qiao Ci looked at the six children, of varying heights, their eyes filled with utter disgust for her, and said with a smile, "Wicked? Do you know what a truly wicked stepmother is like?"
Shen Yi watched her warily, "What do you mean? I warn you, my father and Aunt Qing will be back soon. If you treat us badly, you'll be in trouble!"
"Whether I treat you well or not, won't you just badmouth me outside?" Qiao Ci's smile faded, her eyes turning cold. "I've been your stepmother for over a year, yet I haven't educated you children properly that lying is wrong. It is indeed my failing."
"All of you, kneel!"
Qiao Ci's words carried authority, and the children were startled.
Shen Wu was not afraid of her and lunged towards her, intending to knock her over, but Qiao Ci slapped her, sending her to the ground.
A slap print instantly appeared on her tender face. Shen Sisi couldn't believe she had been hit and covered her face, yelling, "How dare you hit me? I'll have my father beat you to death, you slut!"
The others also cursed Qiao Ci with the most vile words, their hateful gazes wishing Qiao Ci dead.
Qiao Ci did not play favorites, giving each of the six siblings who cursed her two slaps, then stopping with satisfaction once both sides were symmetrical.
"I said, kneel. Do you understand?"
The six children, being children, were all frightened by Qiao Ci's actions and instinctively knelt down.
The boys glared at her as if they wanted to kill her, while the two girls began to cry.
"Cry again, and you'll kneel until dawn. After all, I'm the wicked stepmother." A light voice drifted over, immediately stopping the two little girls' cries.