Stealing My Uncle's Wife

- One woman, two men: an uncle and nephew compete for her in a love triangle / Male Lead 1 is a supportive lover / Male Lead 2 takes her by force

- Wild, sunshiny heroine x disabled, scheming powerful minister x obsessive young ruler / Male Lead 1 is ten years older than her; Male Lead 2 is the same age as the heroine

Blurb:

Xue Ningyang is a wolf-tamer from the grasslands. Her father favors her younger brother Yaozu and, to save up a betrothal gift for him, tries to force her to become the concubine of a decrepit old man.

After fleeing an arranged marriage and traveling far from home, she opens a wolf sanctuary on the outskirts of the capital. Her life is simple, but pleasant enough.

One night, she finds a young man covered in blood at the sanctuary. She saves his life by feeding him medicine mouth-to-mouth over several days.

But after he wakes, the man remains silent, never saying a word about his identity or background. Seeing that he's still recovering from his serious injuries, she lets him stay for now and help manage the sanctuary.

One day, Xue Ningyang goes to the sanctuary and sees him sitting in the grass, applying medicine to himself. Her gaze can't help falling on his firm, enticing waist and abdomen, sculpted as if from iron.

The man looks about seventeen or eighteen. He's handsome, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, but rather taciturn and not very sociable.

She stares at his tall, muscular back, her eyes darkening.

🤭 What a catch...

He's been eating and living off her. It's only fair he pays her something in return.

So...

After their first time, the man curls up in a corner of the bed, wrapped in a quilt, his face full of shyness.

In the days that follow, the two young people, both in the prime of life, are often unable to hold back their desire. They act recklessly day and night, no matter the time or place.

Xue Ningyang thinks that as long as he behaves himself, she won't treat him badly. Before she enters the palace as a female official, keeping one more man won't be a problem.

That night, the man holds her and, breaking his usual silence, asks carefully, "Can I marry you?"

He wants to become her husband in name as well as in fact.

Xue Ningyang frowns and pushes him away. "But there's someone I like."

Afraid he'll keep pursuing her, she cools her expression and crushes his hopes. "What we had was just a fleeting affair, each of us getting what we wanted. You didn't take it seriously, did you?"

In an instant, the red curtains fall. Before she can catch a glimpse of the man's despondent eyes, a kiss silences her.

The next morning, she wakes to find the man gone. What's more, a full sack of gold ingots has appeared by her bedside.

She holds the cold gold in her hands, feeling warm inside, and gives no thought to the man's departure.

Li Xiyuan became ruler of Northern Yan at the age of fifteen. During the four years since he took power, he has used an iron fist to eliminate his rivals and pacify the realm. He is a young ruler renowned throughout the world.

Everyone says he's cold-hearted and has no weaknesses.

Only he knows the bittersweet feeling of falling in love for the first time.

Though he is the ruler of the country, he has broken the law by falling in love with the female official at his side.

She's reckless and audacious. She took his body but refuses to take responsibility, even claiming it was just a "fleeting affair."

But he can't suppress his love for her. Every time he sees her, his feelings grow more intense.

On the night his beloved is on duty, Li Xiyuan disguises himself as a guard and approaches the duty room, only to stumble upon an intimate scene...

He sees Xue Ningyang breathlessly nestled in the man's arms, her eyes bright and brimming with a love he's never seen directed at him.

The man in the wheelchair carries himself with the authority of a ruler. He is aloof and noble, making people afraid to approach him.

But only when he's with her is he tender to the utmost.

He Cunxi kisses away the tear tracks at the corners of her eyes, then patiently wipes away the traces with a handkerchief.

As he lowers his head to speak tenderly with the person in his arms, he suddenly senses a shadow spying from outside.

He lifts his gaze coldly, meeting the icy eyes behind the door. The affection in his eyes vanishes without a trace.

They are uncle and nephew, political rivals, and rivals in love.

Li Xiyuan looks back at him, their gazes meeting as tensions simmer beneath the surface.

Why? Why would she rather marry this disabled man, so much older than her, than give him so much as a glance?

After Xue Ningyang and He Cunxi marry, they are deeply in love, the envy of everyone around them.

But their happiness doesn't last. War breaks out at the border, and He Cunxi must go to the front lines to command the troops.

Xue Ningyang stands silently on the city wall, watching her beloved depart.

Frost whitens the clear sky, and the wild geese circle without leaving. Day after day, she climbs high to gaze into the distance, hoping her love will return soon.

A year later, news arrives from the front that he is dead.

Her husband died in battle in the very year her love for him was at its height.

On the night of the funeral, wind and rain lash the whole mansion.

Ruler Li Xiyuan personally leads troops to the He estate, ostensibly to pay his respects, but he also publicly issues an order to confiscate the family property.

"He Cunxi colluded with an enemy state. His crime is unforgivable. Take everyone in the estate into custody and await further orders!"

He confines his aunt by marriage in a secret chamber. Looking at her hateful eyes, he laughs softly and kisses her cheek...

"I won't force you."

"But whether the people of the He estate live or die is entirely up to you. If you're willing to marry me, I'll naturally show them mercy."

Reader's Guide:

1. Both male leads are devoted and chaste, in body and heart, and are a real uncle and nephew. This story includes, but is not limited to, believing her husband is dead and being forced to remarry, taking her by force, and amnesia. It's a melodramatic romance, with all three together in the ending and no alternate endings.

2. There is a secondary couple: a gentle, resilient young lady from a good family x a rough, unruly man. Both are chaste.

3. Male Lead 1 can't walk, but can take care of himself, and otherwise has no problems. His leg injury will heal later in the story.

Theme: Returning to an old place after a thousand miles, to find it changed beyond recognition.