After the Cool-Headed Minister Broke Up My Marriage

Main story complete. 60% anti-piracy protection.

927 opening: My husband actually seized me by force (steals his fiancee + no angst, both leads are virgins). Blurb at the end.

Both virgins | Married first, love later, he has had a secret crush on her for years | They married for an alliance, but he still wants to be intimate. What a scoundrel.

Sweet, sunny girl with a laid-back nature vs. cold-faced, proud, stubborn court minister

Meng Yuntang never imagined that one day her dispassionate husband, the Chancellor, would pin her against a door in the manner of a lascivious rogue, and, as if drunk, ask her over and over whether she truly loved him.

Wasn't this an arranged marriage? What did true love have to do with it?

*

Meng Yuntang, the legitimate daughter of the Meng family, had pursued Pei Linxuan, Minister of Revenue, for seven years. At last her wish came true. In three days, she would marry into the Pei family.

On the eve of her wedding, Meng Yuntang saw her fiance and her half-sister together in a side room, lost in passion. She summoned the entire household and made them watch the pair's lewd display.

Three months after the engagement was broken off, the Meng family received an imperial decree arranging her marriage to Li Jinyao, the youngest Chancellor in the court.

He was also the person she had feared most as a girl.

*

Li Jinyao was a cold-faced powerbroker in the eyes of the world, and a rigid tutor who had punished her with a bamboo switch when he was sixteen.

On the day the marriage was decreed, Meng Yuntang nearly choked with shock. She climbed the wall into the Chancellor's residence that very night to demand an explanation.

In the dim candlelight, Li Jinyao's expression was calm and distant.

He said, "This is only a marriage alliance. Once you enter the Chancellor's residence, you may do as you please. You needn't feel burdened."

The trouble was, she really believed him.

Not long after entering the Chancellor's residence, Meng Yuntang let herself go and began living as she pleased, drinking and making music.

Until one day, while she was drinking with a few friends, her husband pushed open the door. Her friends scattered like startled birds. His face dark, the man walked toward her and cornered her. "I had no idea my wife was so wild in private."

"Why don't you let your husband see how you usually have fun?" He snatched the wine cup from her hand and drained it. Then he gently gripped her chin and forcefully fed her the strong liquor, a little at a time...

*

Li Jinyao was born into a noble family. The youngest clan elder, he bore the hopes of his family and was known as a modest gentleman, devoted to the court and the glory of his house.

He lived his entire life by the rules, never taking a single wrong step, for the sake of his family, the court, and all the people of the world.

The only selfish thing he had ever done was ask the Emperor for a marriage. The woman he asked to wed was Meng Yuntang, the legitimate daughter of the Meng family.

He watched her pour her heart into pursuing another man for years. He watched her joyfully prepare her wedding clothes, ready to become someone else's bride. Finally, he watched her hold back her tears and loudly declare that she would not marry him.

That was just as well. It suited him perfectly.

At least his careful scheming to expose her useless fiance for what he was had not gone to waste.

That way, she would be his.

P.S.:

1. He is five years older than her.

2. The male lead is not a noble gentleman at all. He has coveted the female lead for a long time and has kept an eye on all the suitors around her. This scheming courtier extinguishes every last spark of romance around his wife.

3. The male lead spends the whole story agonizing internally. The female lead is very slow to notice romantic feelings, but she is not stupid! She simply thinks he is from a different generation, when in fact he is only five years older.

4. In the male lead's long, lonely life, the female lead is a bright, dazzling light. She illuminates everyone around her without realizing it.

Coming soon: My Husband Actually Seized Me by Force

* Jealous, self-deluding, scheming court minister x bookish, gentle yet strong, laid-back woman

* The husband's nemesis enters my dreams, and the husband loses his composure

Shen Huaiyu has lately been waking from dreams in the middle of the night. In them, she sees the face of an unfamiliar man. They hold hands and embrace intimately, even sharing a bed. The man smiles as he draws her into his arms and tenderly calls her "darling."

But that man... isn't her husband.

Then one day, she meets the man from her dreams. He is the new top scorer in the imperial examinations, now serving as the Censor-in-Chief. Every day, he accuses her husband, Xie Yunyao, of monopolizing power and manipulating the young ruler.

They are famous throughout the land as sworn enemies.

*

Shen Huaiyu is a concubine-born daughter of the Marquis of Yong'an. Her mother died young, and though her status is low, the head of the household treats her well. She has never wanted for food or clothing, and her family has arranged a marriage for her to Xie Yunyao, the powerful Regent.

The dynasty has just changed, and marrying the Regent is a step into a powerful household. If he can keep her safe, that is all she could ask for.

Three years into their marriage, she lives a comfortable, leisurely life at the Xie residence. She grows flowers, plays with birds, and enjoys music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Sometimes she slips out to work part-time at a small clinic. Her life is easy and comfortable.

Most importantly, she is free to live as she pleases and needn't deal with the troublesome men of the household. Xie Yunyao never makes trouble for her.

Every other day, he visits her courtyard and sits quietly, watching her burn incense, paint, and sip tea.

Sometimes she is a little afraid of him. His gaze feels heavy, and his deep eyes seem cold as frost and snow. Fortunately, his temperament is fairly gentle.

Even when untying her sash, Xie Yunyao remains proper and restrained, as though he is simply going through the motions.

Everyone says Xie Yunyao is a refined and gentle gentleman, and it's true.

Aside from being cold in bed and rigid in character, there's nothing wrong with him.

One day, she accidentally overhears an argument outside. Hiding behind a wall, she sees Xie Yunyao hold a knife to the Censor-in-Chief's neck. His eyes are full of hatred, and the veins stand out on the back of his hand. He looks more vicious than she has ever seen him.

*

One night, Shen Huaiyu wakes from a dream feeling unwell. Xie Yunyao is on top of her, his face cold. His eyes are full of desire, yet he exudes a chilling air of murderous intent.

The man nearly forces her lips apart with his own. His rough palm grips her slender waist as he bends over her chest, panting heavily. His voice is low and hoarse:

"Ayu, just now... who were you calling for? I'm your husband. Your husband can only be me..."

*

Xie Yunyao is a loyal courtier who upholds justice and protects the young ruler, according to the ministers, and a gentleman of noble character in the eyes of the people.

But no one knows that when a former courtier, now the Censor-in-Chief, fell into disgrace, Xie Yunyao seized that man's fiancee by force.

After taking her, he forced her to marry him. She grew more and more unhappy, until she fell gravely ill and nearly died.

Shen Huaiyu discovers that she seems to be standing at a crossroads, forced to choose. But when she looks back and tries to escape, she finds that there has only ever been a cliff behind her.

There is no retreat.

Theme: The road ahead is long, but it shines bright.