Synopsis
Pursuing his wife | Both are faithful | Secret crush | Household intrigue | Everyday life
I
As the adopted daughter of a eunuch, Xue Tan had an awkward status from childhood. The only person who never looked down on her was the eldest son of the Wang family, who had once saved her life.
She clung to him for ten years and finally became his properly wedded wife. But before they had even enjoyed seven years of happiness, Wang Dalang secretly took a mistress.
Their love nest fell apart, and the couple went their separate ways. Reborn, Xue Tan decided that being hated by everyone wasn't so bad after all.
II
As the son of an aristocratic family, Wang Dalang had been steeped in his family's teachings, and his clan had many grievances with eunuchs. But he couldn't bear to see little Xue Tan trailing behind him in sorrow, so he never completely extinguished her hopes.
But one day, Xue Tan came to terms with things on her own. She stopped fighting and arguing, and learned to live well by herself. Wang Dalang couldn't understand why his heart ached so badly he could hardly breathe, especially when he saw Xie Chenbi standing beside her. The person standing beside her should have been him.
Until one day, he had a dream...
III
Xie Chenbi had been a rotten little rascal since childhood, rotten to the core.
He had a secret no one knew: he liked Xue Tan, the seventh young lady of the Xue family. He couldn't swim back then, and because he was a step too slow while looking for someone to save her, Xue Tan never looked at him the same way again.
Just when he thought he'd never have a chance in this life, Xue Tan suddenly stopped wanting Wang Dalang.
IV
In the middle of the night, Xie Chenbi sat astride the wall of Xue Tan's courtyard and presented her with a marriage contract bearing their names.
"Let's become husband and wife. You help me keep up appearances in front of my parents, and I'll find the finest doctors in the world for you."
Xue Tan thought it over. "I don't need doctors. If you ever grow tired of me, we'll part ways. If I die, help take care of my father. Don't let him be bullied when he's alone."
Xie Chenbi readily agreed, grinning from ear to ear as if he'd gotten the bargain of a lifetime.
Xue Tan couldn't understand why he smiled as though he'd finally gotten what he wanted. But she thought that, as a sickly woman like her, she shouldn't go out and ruin someone else's life. She might as well ruin the life of the man next door, Xie Chenbi.
[Capital Street Gossip] The ancestors of the Xie family caused a ruckus in the underworld, and Xie Chenbi suddenly turned into a decent person!
[Unofficial Inside Scoop] A falling-out over love! Lord Wang and Lord Xie are still at odds today!
[Reader's Guide]
1. The second male lead's groveling pursuit of his wife ends in failure.
2. The female rival gets no redemption.
3. The dynasty is fictional, and there are lots of creative liberties!
4. The male lead is devoted to the female lead in body and soul and extremely possessive, a little dark and obsessive. He's a cheerful mad dog on the surface, but behind her back, he even hurts himself to get her attention.
5. The female lead is clear-headed and rational, loves a good show, puts her father first and her husband second, and is skilled at keeping mad dogs on a tight leash.
6. No writing advice, please. This is the author's self-indulgent personal preference, so no need to force yourself if it's not your thing.
Theme: What's done cannot be undone; cherish the present.
