My Beloved A-Bao

They say Xiao Yi, Prince Xiao, was born with a monstrous thing between his legs, a fearsome member unlike that of an ordinary man.

In just one year, five princess consorts died mysteriously on their wedding nights, making him the most ominous figure in the capital.

The sixth imperial edict arranging his marriage landed in a remote mountain village, naming Chen Abao, a fool from a farming family, as his bride.

The whole capital laughed: a fool for an ominous man, a perfect match made in heaven.

Everyone waited to see how soon the fool would become a fresh grave in the mass burial ground.

On their wedding night, Xiao Yi waits to see Abao tremble in fear.

Instead, that overly pretty face lifts, and he asks earnestly and nervously, "Are you Prince Xiao? Are people allowed to keep bugs in your courtyard?"

Xiao Yi looks at the clay jar Abao is holding. "..."

Dung beetles?

One night passes, and Abao is still alive.

A month passes, and he's still happily chasing cats and feeding birds, doting on his dung beetles, Xiao Hei and Xiao Hua, and thinking about the bantam chickens back home.

He also secretly wonders: in his village, newlyweds sleep under the same quilt, so when will the prince agree to sleep with him?

A year passes, and Abao makes a thousand-mile dash to carry the gravely wounded prince back from a cliff in the northern frontier.

Xiao Yi feels a little gratified: in this little fool's heart, he's finally a tiny bit more important than feeding chickens and keeping dung beetles.

News that Prince Xiao was saved by his consort reaches the capital, stirring a sensation. Everyone says the prince consort is a fool blessed by good fortune.

Prince Xiao's reputation improves along with his.

"They say I have a monstrous thing between my legs, and that I'm cursed to kill my wives." Xiao Yi pins Abao down, his voice hoarse. "Aren't you afraid?"

Abao's eyes grow damp as he tries to open them wide. "I-I tried it... My lord isn't a monster. He's a good person!"

Xiao Yi laughs in exasperation and kisses his muttering mouth. "Fool, is that the sort of thing you can just 'try'?"

1. The first several brides' deaths had other explanations. The first time they drink a wedding cup together is with the bottom.

2. The bottom isn't a fool. He's an honest, pretty sweetheart, brave and capable.

Theme: Treat others with kindness.