After Transmigrating, I Was Assigned Three Wives—Refusing Was a Crime! - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: The Standard for a Xiucai Is Three

The men observed the women like they were picking vegetables. 

The women also watched the men in front of them—after all, one of them might be the person they would spend the rest of their lives with. 

They didn’t know if these men would treat them well. 

Each face was filled with unease. 

They didn’t expect a life of luxury—just to suffer a little less, not go hungry, and that would be enough. 

As for hard work, they had all already mentally prepared themselves.

“Hey, isn’t that Han Qiuniang from the Han family in Xiahe Village?”
“Yeah, that’s really her. She’s so fair-skinned.”
“Why hasn’t anyone picked her?”
“Are you stupid? What use is a pretty face if she’s useless? Picking her is like tying a noose around your own neck. I heard two families came to propose to her already, just about to get married, but then the groom suddenly died.”
“She brings misfortune to husbands? That’s bad luck!”
“Didn’t expect her to show up for this court-arranged marriage. If no one picks her this time, she’ll be sent off as tribute.”
“Such a beautiful woman being sent off like that is really a pity.”
“I don’t think so. Maybe she can jinx a few Jurchens to death. That would be a good thing for our Great Yong Empire.”

The crowd chatted noisily, some joking, others gossiping. 

Listening to them, Lu Qing looked over at Han Qiuniang. Her skin was smooth and fair, her features delicate, and her soft figure was faintly visible beneath her clothes. 

Lu Qing thought to himself—who would’ve thought a hidden gem was here all along? 

Han Qiuniang was definitely a hidden reward.

Han Qiuniang lowered her head as she listened, her eyes welling up with tears. 

She bit her lip stubbornly. 

Every word around her felt like a sharp thorn. 

A husband-killer? 

Once that label stuck, no one dared marry her. 

The Han family had no choice but to let her participate in this arranged marriage. It was their last hope. If she still couldn’t get married, the Han family would be stripped of all they had. Before she left, everyone in the family reminded her again and again—she must get married no matter what, even if she had to work like a slave. Just don’t come back.

“Village Chief, let’s begin.” One of the constables gestured for silence and looked to Liu Xicai.

“Alright.” Liu Xicai nodded.

“Village Chief, let my family go first!”
“Why should your family go first? There’s an order to this. Tian Erwang should be first!”

The crowd burst into chaos. Everyone wanted to go first because those who went first had the best choices.

“Village Chief, I caught a wild rabbit hunting in the mountains the other day!”
“My son brought back a fine jar of wine from Lüliang County, just to honor you!”

Everyone showed off whatever favors they could muster.

“Enough!” The constable, seeing Liu Xicai unable to control the situation, shouted angrily, “What are you all arguing for? They’re all the same women—none of them are lined with gold. What’s the rush? Lu Qing, you go first!”

He pointed to Lu Qing. From beginning to end, Lu Qing hadn’t fought for a thing, simply standing there quietly. 

The crowd instantly went silent. 

Even Lu Qing was slightly stunned. 

He was first? 

Was this the protagonist’s halo?

“Yes,” Lu Qing answered politely, cupping his hands. His gaze swept across the women. Many of them looked away, clearly not impressed with this frail scholar who couldn’t even lift a chicken.

“Xiao Lu, Xiao Lu!” Zhao Youde was the first to rush to Lu Qing’s side.

“Uncle Youde, what’s the matter?” Lu Qing asked.

“Can you let your second pick go to your Brother Tiezhu? You know our family has many mouths to feed and few workers. If you give it up, I promise to repay your kindness. Forget the wild vegetables I gave you—they’re yours.”

Zhao Youde looked like he had made a huge sacrifice. 

But wild vegetables were a staple for many households, especially during hard times. 

With the Great Yong Empire’s heavy taxes, most families had to hand over nearly all their grain. Even noodles were a luxury. Wild vegetables had become a daily necessity and were precious. The only reason people gave them to Lu Qing was out of gratitude for his late father.

“Alright,” Lu Qing smiled. 

He had no intention of choosing the second girl anyway. 

His target was that hidden gem—Han Qiuniang. 

Beauty was king, wasn’t it? 

So what if she was said to bring misfortune? That was all just old superstition. Besides, this was a perfect chance to return the favor and cancel his wild vegetable debt.

Seeing Lu Qing so easygoing, the others also came over to ask for favors. 

Liu Xicai shook his head helplessly as Lu Qing agreed to them one by one. This guy was too easy to talk to.

After one round, Lu Qing didn’t owe anyone vegetables anymore. But his pool of options had shrunk significantly. Second, third, fifth, seventh—all the strong, hardworking women were off the table.

“I choose her,” Lu Qing slowly raised his hand and pointed at the lowered-head Han Qiuniang. Because she was beautiful.

“Huh?”
“What?!”

Everyone stared at Lu Qing in shock. No one expected him to choose Han Qiuniang, the woman labeled a husband-killer. 

Was he tired of living?

“Lu Qing, you should think carefully,” Liu Xicai coughed, warning him to reconsider—this woman brought death to husbands.

“Lu Qing, be cautious,” Aunt Zhang also nervously advised. Picking Han Qiuniang was as good as digging your own grave.

“No need. I choose her,” Lu Qing replied with a smile, clearly set on his decision.

Han Qiuniang looked at him in disbelief. She never thought anyone would choose her. That someone would ignore her infamous title and still marry her. She was so touched she was on the verge of tears. No matter his reason, he chose her—and that meant she wouldn’t be sent away as tribute, and the Han family wouldn’t be destroyed.

“Alright, step forward!”
“Yes.” Han Qiuniang stepped out from the crowd.

“Do you accept?”
“I do! I do! Thank you, thank you for marrying me!” Han Qiuniang wouldn’t dare say no. At this point, any man who dared marry her was a blessing from the heavens.

“Sign here. From today onward, you’re husband and wife. Try for two kids in three years, and three in five.” The constable took out a marriage certificate prepared by the magistrate.

Lu Qing gave a helpless smile. Both signed the paper.

“Alright, you’re officially married now.” The constable handed one copy to Lu Qing and kept the other for himself.

Lu Qing was about to leave with Han Qiuniang when the constable stepped forward and blocked them.

“What’s the matter?” Lu Qing asked in confusion.

Han Qiuniang’s body tensed—was the constable going back on his word?

“This year, the court issued a new law. A xiucai must take three wives. If not, it’s a crime—punishable by conscription and hard labor.” The constable sneered.

Lu Qing was dumbfounded. 

Were they treating xiucai like warriors now?

“Great, great! Lu Qing, hurry up and pick two more,” Liu Xicai reminded cheerfully. 

Lu Qing had already picked the misfortune-bringer Han Qiuniang. 

Liu Xicai quickly urged him to choose two hardworking women. 

A xiucai might be exempt from taxes and labor himself, but his family wasn’t. If he chose two capable wives, he wouldn’t have to worry about taxes next year.