[Playing the fool to catch the tiger ✘ mutually devoted ✘ both unmask each other]
Su Yunci is the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, but after her mother dies young, she is tormented from childhood by her stepmother, Ruan Qiulin.
Under years of pressure, Su Yunci learns to conceal her talents.
Six months after her coming-of-age ceremony, her stepmother starts arranging a marriage for her.
After considering one candidate after another, Ruan Qiulin settles on Xiao Zhuo, the current emperor’s ninth prince.
A prime minister’s daughter matched with a prince should be a perfect union, but Xiao Zhuo is a debauched wastrel who indulges in wine and women.
Su Yunci naturally has no wish to jump from one fire pit into another, but her resistance cannot stand against the old saying: “A marriage is determined by one’s parents and arranged by the matchmaker.”
She pins her hopes on the idea that Xiao Zhuo, a dissolute young man, won’t want to settle down. But then word comes from the palace that he has agreed.
Everyone in the capital knows that Su Yunci, the prime minister’s legitimate daughter, is delicate and beautiful, a rare beauty of the century, though a little dim-witted.
It comes as no surprise that Xiao Zhuo, a notorious womanizer, agrees to marry her. In the eyes of those around them, the two are equally foolish.
Red candles flicker in the bridal chamber as Su Yunci sits by the bed, trembling with fear.
The red veil embroidered with mandarin ducks is lifted, followed by the clear, cheerful laughter of a young man.
“Why are your eyes closed? I’m not going to eat you.”
Su Yunci’s face burns at his teasing. When she opens her eyes, she sees a handsome young man dressed in wedding robes.
Sharp brows, bright eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips. The beauty mark beneath his eye is especially alluring.
He is nothing like the frightening figure in the rumors.
I encourage myself 😳😳