After Marrying Him, I Discovered My Husband Was Sweet on the Outside, Dark on the Inside

Also known as The Great Xia Dynasty Is on the Brink of Collapse Synopsis: [Political intrigue + revenge + both chaste + food + farming + ancient professions] A wealthy young lady is reduced to a servant in a brothel. In a single night, she loses almost everything. Thirteen years later, she returns in splendor. In just two years, she makes a name for herself in the capital and becomes a celebrated female scholar whom the capital's most distinguished women all vie to befriend. After years of careful planning, she vows to turn the capital upside down. She will contend with the emperor, her aunt, and the ambitious schemers at court. But then she finds someone she cannot bear to let go of. “His soup is delicious, but that’s all it is,” she says guiltily, trying to defend herself. “You’re mine. From now on, you’re only allowed to make soup for me.” When faced with a potential rival, she makes no effort to hide her claim. “You have to stay alive. Wait for me to come find you.” Faced with an outright threat, she makes an exception and gives in for his sake. She doesn’t care who rules the realm. She only wants justice for her loved ones who died unjustly. She doesn’t care what the emperor’s name is. She only wants to spend her life with her husband. On their wedding night: “Husband, I never knew you had such a sweet, innocent face hiding a dark heart.” “My lady, you misunderstand. My love for you is all in this bowl of soup, as true as the sun and moon.” She glanced at the bowl in her husband’s hands. The soup was as vast as the ocean, filled with all the stars in the heavens. She grabbed his bright red ear. “Oh, really? Where are the sun and moon? And you said you weren’t hiding a dark heart!”