My Formidable Beggar Husband

Chapter 1

The cobblestone was cold, and my clothes had been torn to shreds by four men. I clung desperately to the remaining fabric, curling up to prevent them from ripping away my last shred of dignity.

A crowd had gathered around me, watching my humiliation with eager eyes and discussing it with relish.

"I heard she used to be the top performer at Moonview, insisting she would only perform, not sell her body."

"Look at that figure, much more alluring than any courtesan."

"This Laura is truly a beauty. If she hadn't offended Krista, with her prideful nature, we wouldn't have the pleasure of this spectacle today."

"Poor Laura. She worked as a performing artist to support Andrew's studies, but once he became the top scholar of the nation, he turned his back on her and climbed up to the princess..."

"Are you crazy? How dare you say that!" someone nearby whispered urgently.

"Her skin is so fair. If I could just touch it, it would be heavenly."

"And that slender waist, I heard dancers are very flexible, they can do any position."

The lewd comments pierced me like daggers. The crowd's heads bobbed in front of me, some laughing obscenely, others pointing at me, watching my torment as if it were a show.

Yes, death. I wished for death more than anything.

Death would be a release.

Death would turn me into a vengeful spirit, seeking retribution from Andrew and that woman.

I forced my head up, glaring at Krista and Andrew sitting on the high platform.

Krista's lips curled into a smile as she teasingly touched Andrew's face. Andrew, with his eyes closed, trembled uncontrollably.

"Andrew, if she becomes a woman everyone can mistreat, you won't think of her anymore, will you?"

"She's been seen by thousands now. Who would want her in the future?"

Andrew's hands were bloodied from clenching them so tightly. He crawled on his knees to Krista, pressing his forehead to her feet. "My heart belongs only to Princess Krista. I have never loved that woman, not even a little. Please believe me, Your Highness!"

His voice was loud, as if he wanted everyone to hear his declaration.

He said he never loved me, not even a little.

So it was all a lie.

I entered the brothel and became a performing artist to support his studies.

I refused to become a courtesan, remaining chaste for him.

I rehearsed tirelessly every day, never slacking off.

I believed his tender promises: if he became the top scholar, he would marry me.

He exploited my every effort, crushed my bones, and climbed to the top, becoming the top scholar.

Then he discarded me like trash, becoming a servant under Krista's skirt!

And now, he humiliates me like this!

He makes me a laughingstock for thousands!

How can I face the world after this? How can I live with any dignity?

The faces and pointing fingers around me were like judges sentencing me to death.

I closed my eyes, slightly opening my mouth, and bit down on my tongue.

Just a bit more determination, and I would be free.

A bit more, and all the shame would be gone.

Just as I was about to bite down, a wine jar shattered in front of me.

The men tearing at my clothes were hit by the jar, blood streaming from their heads as they crouched on the ground, wailing.

I sat up, curling into myself, and saw a beggar pushing through the crowd, staggering towards me as if drunk.

His hair was disheveled, and he reeked of alcohol. A vicious scar ran down the corner of his eye, giving him a menacing look.

He turned his back to the crowd, his clear eyes fixed on me, and extended a rough but clean hand. His voice was hoarse, "Don't seek death. I want you."

I looked at the hand reaching out to me and could no longer hold back my sobs.

Everyone around wanted me dead, but only he pulled me from the mire, wanting me to live.

He took off his long robe, and with a swift motion, wrapped me securely in his patched robe.

I clung to his strong arm, treating him as my only lifeline in this world.

As long as he could take me away from this endless humiliation, I would repay him with my life, without regret.

He glanced at the high platform, his eyes filled with boundless hatred. He turned and walked away with me in his arms.

Krista clapped her hands and laughed, "A fallen woman and a beggar, a perfect match."

He paused, sensing my body stiffen.

He lowered his head, gently rubbing his chin against the top of my head, comforting me like a small animal.

He whispered in my ear, "Next time I come back, I'll bring their heads as a wedding gift. How about that?"

I covered my eyes, but the suppressed sobs still escaped.

He sighed softly, as if heartbroken. But when he lifted his head, his gaze was murderous. The crowd instinctively made way for him. He carried me steadily, leaving without hesitation.

Chapter 2

My parents died when I was very young, and I was deceived into a brothel. At that time, I was just a child, so they made me work as a server. I would greet guests and run errands, buying makeup and ointments for the girls in the house.

When I turned ten, the madam made me a dancing girl. It was a highly profitable job, and without much thought, I agreed. I danced for four years and grew more beautiful with time. Because of my good figure and looks, the madam tried several times to force me to entertain clients.

Some girls who grew up with me had softer personalities and were coerced into selling their bodies. Within two years, they were found dead in the river. Their bodies floated downstream, bloated and stinking. They died silently, with no one caring or paying attention. This world is like that; human lives are treated with little value.

I didn't want to sell my body, so I ran away. While running, I encountered Andrew. He was a poor scholar, living in poverty with his blind mother. The two of them depended on each other for survival.

I accidentally stumbled into Andrew's home while escaping from the brothel's guards. I hid in a haystack in his yard, peeking through a small gap to watch the mother and son. It had rained all night, and his mother's leg ailment had flared up. Andrew was massaging her legs in the courtyard. It was late autumn, and the cold was biting, yet Andrew was sweating profusely.

His mother, unable to see, awkwardly wiped his sweat with a cloth. Andrew carefully leaned his face closer to her. As she wiped, tears began to fall from her eyes. She beat her chest in regret and self-blame.

"It's all because of me, your mother, that you're suffering. If it weren't for me, my son would be living a better life."

She cried her heart out, as if letting out years of built-up sorrow.

"The neighbors told me that the mayor's daughter has taken a liking to you. If it weren't for me, your blind mother, my son would be much better off."

Andrew shook his head firmly, his fair skin flushing red. He was more beautiful than most girls, with rosy lips and white teeth. Holding his mother's frail hand, he solemnly said, "Mother, I don't need to rely on anyone else. I can make a future for myself. When I become the top scholar, I'll take you to get treated and cure your eyes."

His mother's blindness was a sore spot for Andrew. Their house had caught fire when he was young, and his father died in the blaze. His mother had saved him but lost her sight due to the thick smoke.

She touched Andrew's face, as if trying to imprint his features in her mind. Her eyes had been blind for ten years, and she could no longer imagine what her son looked like.

"I believe in you, my son. I believe you will become the top scholar and make our family proud."

The mother and son hugged each other tightly. Watching them, I couldn't help but cry. Having a mother is such a blessing, but I didn't have one.

Andrew heard my sobbing and quickly shielded his mother. I wiped my tears and crawled out of the haystack. When he saw me, he called my name accurately.

"Laura?" His face suddenly turned red, looking at me with embarrassment.

I found this scholar amusing, as he was shyer than a girl. His mother anxiously asked, "Who is it? Who's there?"

I squatted down, holding her hand, and said sweetly, "I'm your son's friend."

His mother didn't understand but was very happy, constantly patting my hand with a smile on her face. "Andrew has a friend? That's good. The more friends you have, the more chances you get."

Andrew pulled me aside, incredulous, and whispered, "Since when are you my friend? You don't even know my name."

I smiled and said, "Your name is Andrew."

He was at a loss for words, seeing me smile so freely, and started smiling too.

Later, I found out that he knew me because he had once received two bowls of rice soup from a porridge stall I had set up. I only remembered that I was born on the sixth day of the sixth month. Every year on my birthday, I would set up a stall in front of the refugee camp, cooking porridge and distributing it to passersby, beggars, or anyone who was short on money.

There were so many refugees in this world. I did this without expecting anything in return, just to tell myself that if no one celebrated my birthday, I would celebrate with the people. But knowing that someone remembered me because of this made me very happy.

From then on, I often visited Andrew, bringing my good friend Martha to treat his mother's illness. Martha's ancestors were doctors, but she was born a woman in the wrong era. The world was biased against women, and despite her medical skills, she couldn't practice. She had to sell herself into a brothel and became a dancing girl with me.

I knew she was better than those so-called doctors in the clinics. With Martha's medical skills, Andrew's mother's eye condition improved significantly. She could at least see people clearly.

The moment she removed the cloth from her eyes, she saw her son, whom she had longed to see, standing in the light. Andrew was the most filial son in Spring Town, a well-known prodigy and a very handsome young man.

After ten years of darkness, she finally saw the light again. The mother and son hugged each other, crying their eyes out. She thanked me over and over, and Andrew looked at me with red eyes, melting my heart.

Many girls in this town wanted to marry him. But he kissed my forehead on a deserted street at night, and the softness in my heart began to sprout and bloom.

He said, "Laura, when I become the top scholar, I'll marry you with all the proper ceremonies."

I was overjoyed, smiling happily, "Alright, I'll remember that."

Chapter 3

1. I arrived in Wheyle with Andrew. The imperial examination was imminent, and he stayed up late every night studying diligently.

I heard that before the examination, candidates needed to visit the homes of various examiners with gifts. Without these bribes, their papers might not even be considered. I silently cursed those corrupt, conniving officials, thinking about how they protected each other.

Life was already a struggle for poor scholars, and now they had to endure this additional exploitation on their only path to success. But there was no other way; this country was rotten to the core. Everywhere you looked, there were homeless and destitute people. Just making it through each day was a small miracle.

There were many expenses to cover, and I worried over the money we had, which was barely enough for our daily needs. When I looked up, I saw the most luxurious brothel in Wheyle. Without hesitation, I walked in.

I decided to return to my old profession as a courtesan. It was the quickest way to earn money and the only way I could help Andrew. Dancing in the capital paid much more than in a small town.

I was attractive and danced well, often receiving tips from wealthy young men. When they wanted me to drink with them, I downed two jugs of wine. When they wanted me to undress, I pretended to be drunk and vomited all over them. The madam rushed over, apologizing profusely to the guests while I lay on the ground, feigning unconsciousness. Eventually, I really did fall asleep.

I was exhausted. The daily rehearsals left me physically and mentally drained, but whenever I thought of Andrew, I felt a surge of determination.

That night, Andrew came to see me. He held my hand and sobbed, apologizing for not being worthy of me and begging me to stop sacrificing for him. I was confused. The person I knew so well now seemed distant and incomprehensible. I couldn't even understand what he was saying. I must have been truly drunk. But what about Andrew? He hadn't been drinking, so why was he talking nonsense?

After that night, I didn't see Andrew for a long time. He sent a message through someone, saying he had found a new place to stay and that studying with friends was more efficient. I didn't doubt him at all.

Before the examination, I set up a porridge stall in the refugee camp. I had never sought any reward for my past charitable acts, but this time, I prayed to the heavens, wishing for Andrew to become the top scholar and achieve great success. The heavens heard my prayers. He did become the top scholar, and he did achieve great success.

On the day the results were announced, I saw his name at the top of the list. He was the top scholar! No one knew how happy I was. I hugged him and cried tears of joy. We had finally overcome all our hardships. After years of diligent study, he was now famous throughout the land.

Everyone congratulated us, and I smiled and thanked them all, returning their well-wishes on his behalf. I pulled him along, thinking about our future. "There's a month between the announcement of the results and your return to the capital for your official duties. Let's hurry home and bring your mother here. She'll be so happy to know you became the top scholar."

He seemed dazed, and I thought he was overwhelmed with joy. I continued making plans. "We also need to think about our wedding. I should find someone to pick an auspicious date. Can we have the wedding in Spring Town? Your mother and Martha are there. A wedding should be lively and joyous. I don't know anyone in Wheyle."

"We need to buy fabric for the wedding dress and many other things for the ceremony. But don't worry, I've saved up quite a bit of money these past few months. I can buy my own dowry and jewelry; you don't need to spend a penny."

We happened to pass by a fabric shop, and I tried to pull him inside. "Making a wedding dress takes time, so I need to start preparing early." But he stood still, refusing to move no matter how hard I pulled.

Seeing his tightly shut eyes, a sense of unease crept into my heart. I asked cautiously, "What's wrong?"

He opened his eyes and looked at me, speaking in a low voice, "I can't be with you."

My hand slipped from his arm, and my body began to tremble. Even my voice shook. "What did you say?"

He looked at me with guilt in his eyes but spoke firmly. "I don't want you anymore."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I blinked, asking him, "Why?"

He tilted his head back, a hint of scorn in his voice. "You're a well-known courtesan in Wheyle. Your background is unacceptable. I can't marry you."

I lost control and began to hit him, trying to vent all my frustration. "You promised to marry me! You said once you became the top scholar, you would marry me! You said it!"

People around us stopped to watch. Paying no mind to their stares and whispers, I loudly questioned him. "Your mother's eyes were cured because I asked Martha for help! The money for your examination fees was earned through my hard work as a courtesan! I had already stopped dancing, but I couldn't raise enough money for your bribes, so I went back to that life! Even the clothes you're wearing were bought with the money I earned as a courtesan! And now you say my background is unacceptable? Andrew, do you have any conscience?"

Andrew's face turned bright red. He looked at me with teary eyes but repeated, "I can't be with you." Then he fled, ignoring the onlookers' comments.

I was left standing there, facing their pity, sympathy, and ridicule. "Does she even know her place? A courtesan dreaming of becoming the wife of the top scholar." "She doesn't respect herself, yet she expects others to love her. What a fool."

The voices around me grew louder, and the world seemed to spin. I felt dizzy and eventually fainted. Before losing consciousness, I questioned how my life had come to this.