An Outing to the Suburbs

Han Jie was the treacherous chancellor of the state, wielding immense power. Every minister at court fawned over him, the Han clan was at the height of its power, and its young members fell at his feet, begging for his protection and generosity.

Han Yuan was no exception. As a marginal member of the family, she had lived a miserable life. If everyone else could ask him for things, she wanted to ask him for something too. Perhaps he would give it to her.

And he did. He gave generously. With his help and Heaven's favor, everything went smoothly, and Han Yuan was grateful to him. Just a little more, please. She was almost able to control her own fate. She was about to marry, and her beloved husband...

Han Jie suddenly turned on her and imprisoned her in a dark room. Kissing her tearful eyes, he spoke with malicious delight. “Ruoruo, it's time you repaid me.”

Han Yuan retorted, “Didn't my other brothers and sisters ask Lord Han for even more? You give so generously to everyone else. Why are you bullying only me?”

Han Jie gave it some thought. Memories were like fleeting glimpses of radiant light, never dimming with time. His thoughts came and went: red gates and secluded courtyards, flowers perfuming the air, their fragrance filling his arms. He smiled. “Because I raised you.”

“Someone I raised belongs to me, naturally.”

“They're a different matter. You have to repay me twice over.”

1. A gentle, rebellious heroine + a truly awful, vile hero

2. The heroine's little episodes with her ex-husband (plot)

3. Age gap.

Theme: The mind is the principle