A Favor Hard to Refuse: The Chaste Chief Minister Willing to Kneel at Her Feet

【Clear-eyed beauty from a distinguished family × refined, scheming Chief Minister】 【Both virgins + forced marriage + calculating hero + sweet romance as he pursues her】 Just after her coming-of-age ceremony, Meng Zhixi arranged an advantageous marriage for herself. The groom was a Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. He fell in love with her at first sight, and together they made a perfect match that everyone envied. Through this connection, she went from being a young lady of a prominent family in a small town to making her way into the capital and joining the Imperial Embroidery Bureau. Everyone thought she had married into a powerful family, but none of them knew there was someone else she had her eye on. … Xie Changyan, Chief Minister of the court, held power over the entire realm. When Meng Zhixi first heard his name, all she knew was that everyone praised him and everyone feared him. The first time they met, he reined in his horse, clad in black armor and brimming with confidence. The next time, she saw that despite his deep, calculating nature, he was disciplined and courteous, every inch a gentleman. Later, the man shed all restraint. He seized her wrist with one hand and backed her into a corner. Meng Zhixi scolded him, cursed him, begged him, then gave in... But in the end, the usually cold and ascetic Chief Minister wrapped an arm around her waist, his eyes red as he begged, word by word, “Zhixi, my dear Zhixi, break off your engagement to him and stay by my side, all right?”