I Was Meant to Be Gentle and Frail

[Two Female Leads] [A Chasing-Wife Crematorium] [Love and Hate] [False Affection] [A Subject Steals His Sovereign's Wife]

A hypocritical, unfeeling, sharp-tongued top scholar x an arrogant, pampered heiress

Wen Qingrang passed the imperial exam and went from being a pauper to the most sought-after top scholar in the capital.

Then came a bolt from the blue: in open court, the emperor betrothed her to Cui Xianzi, the Crown Prince's fiancee and daughter of the Left Chancellor, who controlled half the court's power.

Wen Qingrang gritted her teeth and accepted. She put on a gentle, refined front and catered to Cui Xianzi's every whim, but Cui saw through her disguise at a glance.

Wen Qingrang simply used the Cui family's influence to climb the ranks, all the way to the post of Supervising Censor.

Every day at court, the emperor could hear Wen Qingrang's incessant voice, leaving the officials aghast.

But as soon as court ended, Wen Qingrang put away her sharp edges and pretended to be frail. If anyone shoved her or said something against her, she wouldn't impeach them. She'd just say, "I'll go tell my wife when I get home."

They couldn't stand each other. Wen Qingrang loved to rub salt in Cui Xianzi's wounds, and Cui gave as good as she got, driving her harsh words straight into Wen Qingrang's heart.

Wen Qingrang had never understood how much Cui Xianzi meant to her.

Was it just an act, or had the pretense become real?

Were all those days spent sharing a bed, all those moments of vulnerability, really fake?

If I said I loved you, would you think it was a joke?

My heart beats so loudly, and in front of you, I have nowhere left to hide.

But you would probably be willing to hate me.

After all, this world has no place for me, and it won't allow you to love me either, my beloved wife.

[Content Warnings]

1. Proceed with caution regarding the author.

2. Read the author's note in Chapter 1.