[Traditional historical romance + older woman, younger man + marriage first, love later + household intrigue and political schemes + the male supporting character's redemption arc + face-slapping and punishing scum + mutual devotion]
(Clearheaded, decisive commandery princess x blunt young lord who only pretends to be a playboy)
Yan Shu was raised in a loving family, growing into a dignified and noble young woman.
But she never knew that the top scholar she had spent six years nurturing into her fiancé was an ungrateful wretch.
After hearing Xie Jun mock her as dignified and boring, and then seeing him spread rumors to ruin her reputation and force her to become his concubine so he could make way for the woman he loved,
Yan Shu decisively broke off the engagement and reclaimed the huge sums of money the Xie family had swindled from her.
An imperial edict named her Princess Mingzhao, putting Xie Jun completely beneath her heel.
Later, Xie Jun regretted everything and wanted her back?
Meanwhile, she was granted in marriage to the famous playboy young lord of Yongjing, Gu Yundan, her childhood sweetheart.
On their wedding night, he gazed at her with tearful eyes. “I'm sorry you've had to enter this den of wolves for my sake, Sister. Please take pity on me and protect me~”
Yan Shu pressed a hand to her forehead. “...Fine. I suppose I have to spoil my own little brother.”
From the inner household to the imperial court, schemes followed one after another.
He beat up a cousin who wanted to seize the family fortune, and she handed him a sack.
He investigated the secret of their grandmother's lover, while she kept watch nearby.
He went to war to avenge his family and country, while she secured their rear.
Together, they uprooted the mastermind behind it all.
Later, he pinned her against the bed, his eyes blazing. “Sister, our year-long agreement has expired... Shall we consummate our marriage tonight?”
