The Whole Capital Calls Me Wicked, Yet the Powerful Minister Loves Me

[Arrogant villainess + aloof powerful official loses control + all-consuming devotion + face-slapping revenge]

Jiang Lingyi was notorious in the capital for being wicked.

Her stepmother called her domineering, her father called her unfilial, and her stepsister called her heartless. Even her fiancé, Xie Linchuan, was always advising her: “If you were a little less sharp-edged, people wouldn’t keep misunderstanding you.”

Only later did she learn that those misunderstandings were all part of a fate others had written for her.

Her mother was murdered, her dowry stolen, her old poems plagiarized, and her engagement exploited. The entire capital was waiting to watch her fall into the mud.

At a flower-viewing banquet, her stepsister fell into the water, and everyone was certain Jiang Lingyi had pushed her. Xie Linchuan’s first words were an accusation: “Jiang Lingyi, why have you hurt her again?”

Jiang Lingyi smiled.

Blood still dripped from her wrist, yet no one asked if she was in pain.

Then the cool and aloof powerful official Shen Yanci arrived.

He ignored her stepsister, who was weeping like a pear blossom in the rain, and lowered his eyes to Jiang Lingyi’s wound. In a cold voice, he asked, “Who hurt you?”

From then on, Jiang Lingyi used his influence, took his handkerchief, and held his jade token as she delivered face-slapping blows to the Marquis’s household, the Xie family, and the entire capital.

Everyone waited for Minister Shen to grow sick of her.

But Shen Yanci only said, “If she’s wicked, it’s because you forced her to be.”

Later, he brought her a marriage contract and pleaded for her hand:

“Jiang Lingyi, I won’t dull your edge or take away your freedom.”

“I only ask you this: are you willing to come to me?”