Xue Yihe, the youngest daughter of a family of imperial physicians, and Gu Xilou, the youngest son of a family of imperial merchants, were engaged from childhood.
The bride was beautiful and gentle. Apart from being timid and afraid to go out after dark, she had no faults to speak of.
The groom was handsome, refined, and upright. Apart from being frail and out of breath after a few steps, he had no faults to speak of.
When the day came for them to marry, both families were overjoyed. Everyone said the newlyweds were a perfect match and would surely build a happy, prosperous life together.
The bride had a secret: she was not really Xue Yihe. Her real name was Lu Jianchun, and she had married into the Gu family in Xue Yihe's place to obtain a valuable treasure hidden by the family.
But before she could get her hands on it, she discovered another secret. Her husband was not really Gu Xilou either. He had also entered the Gu family under an assumed identity, and for his own reasons.
The bad news: Beneath that disguise was Li Yinghai, her old nemesis, with whom she had always been at odds.
The good news: He did not seem to have realized she was an impostor, too.
Lu Jianchun carefully played the virtuous, well-mannered young Madam Gu, speaking softly to her husband every day and taking flawless care of him in his frail condition. At last, she got Li Yinghai so deeply attached to her that he risked his life to steal the treasure for her.
Once she had the treasure, Lu Jianchun didn't linger. She made her escape. She had just climbed over the wall when someone held a sword to her. Her sickly husband smiled faintly. "My dear, you used me and now you want to leave? There's no such easy way out."
Li Yinghai received a commission to impersonate his employer and marry in his place. All he had to do was play "Gu Xilou" for three months to earn a thousand taels of silver. There was no reason to turn down such good money, so he gladly accepted.
At first, he was only in it for the money.
Later, he discovered that his "wife" was hiding plenty of secrets.
Later still, he realized this might be a losing deal that would cost him more than money.
#After marrying in someone else's place, they discover the other is an impostor, too
#Fake meek, genuinely cunning heroine x fake playboy, genuinely scheming hero
#Ancient version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with both leads having eight hundred clever plans
Theme: Keep hope in your heart
My Sword Is Untamed
I Wronged the Cold, Powerful Minister Before the Political Marriage
Why Hasn't My Beloved Disciple Died Yet?
Snowstorm at the Imperial Terrace
Crossing the River to Save the Buddha
Carrying a Blade Through the Snow
Song of the Bright Moon
The Eldest Princess's Divorce Chronicles
After Dumping Four Powerful Men [Full-Dive]