Thin Spring Robes, False Pretenses, True Feelings

Also titled: How Could My Wife Not Love Me? Slowly revising

Shao Yan, the young lady of the Grand Tutor's household, was exceptionally talented and radiant in appearance. In everyone's eyes, she was the obvious choice for a prince's consort.

But one day, Shao Yan's feelings suddenly changed, and she began proclaiming her love for Wang Yunlin far and wide.

When a servant made a mistake, she sighed and let it go. "Brother Yunlin doesn't like me being harsh with the servants. I should be more patient."

When the pastries were a little too sweet, she shook her head. "Brother Yunlin likes slender women. Don't bring these to me again."

She got her wish and married him, but her new husband rode off to the southern frontier and did not return for three years.

Even after being neglected so badly, Shao Yan never changed her mind. Every year, she waited in the snow. Who could see her and not sigh over her devotion?

Fortunately, at last she waited long enough for her husband to come home.

*

The young lady appeared composed and generous, but behind the bed curtains she was all tenderness and seductive charm.

After all, when a woman pursues a man, there's only a thin veil between them.

Before long, Wang Yunlin changed his mind completely. He no longer spoke of regrets, wanting only to spend the rest of his life with her.

Wang Yunlin felt that life was getting better and better. His wife was beautiful and thoughtful, quick-witted and clever, and everything about her filled him with affection and delight.

Even her occasional airs and little tantrums were adorable. A gentleman should be more tolerant, after all.

It was only that Shao Yan's old flame couldn't forget her. He was an eyesore and a nuisance. Wang Yunlin pretended to be magnanimous and talked himself down again and again.

When he could stand it no longer, Shao Yan looked at him with innocent bewilderment. "The Seventh Prince and I are nothing more than siblings."

Right, it was all the Seventh Prince's fault for refusing to give up. What did Shao Yan have to do with it? It wasn't her fault that she was so captivating.

But that devious, scheming Seventh Prince insisted on laying it all bare. "Cousin, do you know why she insisted on marrying you?"

"She heard some things about the past and was so frightened that she ran away from me. But what if she misunderstood?"

The marital bliss he'd fallen headlong into had all been part of her careful scheming, step by step?!

Fortunately, it wasn't too late. He hadn't completely lost his head, so he could simply stay away from her from now on.

Her husband liked sweet talk? That was easy.

Shao Yan could rattle it off without the slightest hesitation.

But why had it suddenly stopped working?

Reader's guide: Marriage before love, childish palace intrigue; frequent revisions; official ranks, clothing, customs, and more are mixed together from different dynasties. If it's not for you, feel free to leave. There are countless good stories out there. Thanks for stopping by!

Theme: Don't take things too seriously. Life goes on