Stop It! Even the Scheming Heir Can Fall in Love

[Alternate Setting x Bold and Outspoken Female River Bandit x Scheming, Cunning Heir to a Prince's Estate]

Dai Qianjiao was a river bandit on the Ba River, ruling her own territory and making her living by robbing passing boats. Bold and forthright, she knew when to stand her ground and when to yield. After repeated crackdowns by the imperial court left her men suffering heavy losses, she had no choice but to feign submission. She planned to wait until she was strong enough, then return to her carefree life as a bandit chief. The court accepted her surrender, but feared her men might cause trouble again, so it arranged for her to marry Lu Qiongyuan, heir to the Marquis of Chongwu in the Dazhi Kingdom. That way, their bandit chief would become a high-born princess consort, and the court could keep an eye on her: two birds with one stone.

Lu Qiongyuan is the heir to the Marquis of Chongwu in the Dazhi Kingdom, destined to become the next head of the family. His mother nearly died giving birth to him, and came to despise him for it. She ignored him and criticized him at every turn, leaving him to grow up cautious, isolated, and helpless. He developed a scheming, devious nature just to survive. His mother is determined to put his younger brother in power and plots against him at every turn. He longs for someone in this world to love him, yet he dares not believe anyone's affection is genuine.

A marriage alliance brings together two people with nothing in common: one bold and fiercely loyal, the other devious and sharp-tongued. What kind of sparks will fly between them?

Is this a marriage of convenience, or a fated salvation?