Possessive love | A ruler steals his subject's wife | Coercive romance
A pitiful, honest female lead x a proper, reserved male lead who breaks his principles and steals his subject's wife for love
Everyone in the capital knew that the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen family was of humble birth and wholly unsuited to the brilliant eldest son of the Shen family. They had married only because the clan elders had arranged a marriage contract years earlier to repay a debt of gratitude.
Xi Nian paid no attention to the rumors in the capital. She only wanted to make a good life with her husband, so she followed him day after day, cooking for him and keeping him company as he studied.
Even though her husband thought her base and dull, never touched her, and treated her like air; even though everyone in the capital mocked her humble background, accused her of taking someone else's place, and called her delusional; even though she endured contempt everywhere she went in the capital.
Zhao Xuance had heard about the troubles in the Shen family. He had once warned Shen Yunheng to respect his wife and manage his household properly.
But later, he caught sight of Madam Shen, and could no longer take his eyes off her.
The upbringing he had received since childhood kept him from stealing his subject's wife. So day after day, he suffered as he watched her give everything to his subject.
In the end, his greed grew and his desire became insatiable. He coveted the wife who had given her whole heart so freely.
Years later, he would count his blessings countless times that Shen Yunheng had mistaken a worthless stone for a jewel, giving him an opening.
First Meeting Scene:
Zhao Xuance stepped into the room and saw the woman lying on the bed, brows slightly furrowed, the corners of her eyes flushed, her face glowing with desire.
When she saw someone enter, she was so startled that she burrowed into the man's arms. Her waterfall of dark hair spilled over her slender, snow-white back, but her husband quickly covered her from view.
Zhao Xuance thought, She should be my wife. How can she lie in another man's bed?
Content warning: The female lead is rather stubborn and set in her ways early on, but she grows over time.
Note: Both leads have no prior sexual partners. Their relationship begins after the female lead divorces.
Theme: Always strive to improve.
