The Madam Is Always Putting on an Act

Next up: **Married Off by My Late Husband’s Older Brother**. Blurb below. One-line summary: **Husband and wife at night, colleagues by day** Liang family has fallen into ruin, and Miss Liang has accidentally been disfigured. Zhou Jingyun still honors their betrothal and marries her. After the wedding, they treat each other with respect. Zhou Jingyun gives her the space she asks for, even agreeing to live in separate courtyards. He only visits on set days each month. She feels self-conscious about her disfigurement and insists on keeping the lamps out when they share a bed, and Zhou Jingyun indulges her. All he asks is for a peaceful marriage and a tranquil home. Until one day, a delicate colleague walks past him, rubbing his aching back. Zhou Jingyun catches the same gardenia scent that clings to his wife. Suddenly, nothing feels quite the same. - The Liang family has been stripped of its official rank and had its home confiscated. Their betrothal to the Zhou family is all that remains to save face. No matter what, the marriage must go ahead. But at this crucial moment, Miss Liang has vanished. To secure the match with the Zhou family, the Liang matriarch calls in an old debt and forces Liang Qingyue to marry into the Zhou household. After marrying into the Zhou family, Liang Qingyue walks on eggshells every day, terrified that someone will discover her two enormous secrets. By day, she has to deal with the aloof, cold-hearted Lord Zhou. By night, she has to deal with the insatiable Zhou Jingyun. Liang Qingyue is exhausted. Fortunately, thanks to her quick wits, she manages to get through several months in the Zhou household unscathed. Then Miss Liang returns safely, and the Liang family demands that the two women switch places again. Liang Qingyue falls silent for a moment, then nods. The next day, as soon as Liang Qingyue enters the government offices, someone drags her into a room. The man glares at her, his expression dark. “You think switching back will settle this? I married you, not her.” “You’re talking strangely. I-I don’t understand.” She panics. “Wasn’t it you who shared my bed at night, whispering sweet nothings against my cheek?” Liang Qingyue’s heart pounds. How does he know? It’s over, it’s all over. She is about to make an excuse when Zhou Jingyun says, “Come home and sleep with me tonight.” Now it really is over. Everything has been exposed. ------Forthcoming: **Married Off by My Late Husband’s Older Brother** Lin Wanyu’s husband is gravely ill, and everyone around her is eyeing his fortune, eager to get their hands on the family estate. With no other choice, Lin Wanyu sends a letter to her brother-in-law, a man she has never met, begging him to help her for the sake of the brotherly bond he once shared with her husband. At her late husband’s funeral, the man arrives as promised, dressed in coarse cotton so faded it is nearly white. His weary eyes and travel-worn appearance show that he has come a long way. “Don’t be afraid, sister-in-law. I’ll help you.” Lin Wanyu’s eyes fill with grateful tears. She nods and murmurs her assent. But things don’t work out as she hoped. The family estate is divided up, and she is driven out of her husband’s home with nowhere to go. At that moment, Gu Yunzhou asks her simply, “Sister-in-law, would you come with me to Bianjing? Once I pass the exams, I’ll come back and help you reclaim the family estate.” She clutches her handkerchief for a long time, then gives a quiet nod. In Bianjing, they live in a small courtyard. The young man earns money and studies outside, while she takes care of the household. Their life is poor, but fulfilling. Lin Wanyu counts the money he gives her again and again. It is for books and ink, and a decent set of clothes for him. She will save whatever is left so he can afford to take a wife. Lin Wanyu smiles with contentment. Their life seems to get better with each passing day. Until one day, she sees the man from afar, dressed in fine clothes and surrounded by beautiful women. Only then does she realize it has all been a lie. He deceived her. - Gu Yunzhou returned to the Gu family to watch a pack of dogs tear into each other. But the woman treated him like a lifeline, thanking him with tearful gratitude. The woman had skin like ice and jade, a slender waist, and tears in her eyes as she confided her troubles to him. Gu Yunzhou’s heart stirred, and he decided on the spot to keep up the act. She remained devoted to her late husband. Even with nothing left, she was determined to live in the mountains and observe three years of mourning for him. Gu Yunzhou scoffed, used a few little tricks, and took her to Bianjing. Gu Yunzhou put her in the smallest, shabbiest courtyard and only visited in his spare time. She never complained. She even happily budgeted for their life together, sewing his clothes by lamplight, buying him brushes and ink, and tending to his every need. So sweet and sensible, Gu Yunzhou thought he might as well keep playing this part. But as time passed, he grew tired of the act. He no longer wanted to keep pretending, and he could no longer bear to be merely her brother-in-law. He began to entertain other thoughts. That night, he cornered the woman against the wall, trapping her beneath his arms. “Wanniang, why can’t it be me?” But all she did was cry and shake her head. There was no need to rush. Gu Yunzhou had all the time in the world to melt her heart. But he underestimated her resolve. The seemingly gentle woman left without a word, leaving him with nothing but an empty courtyard. The refined, gentle mask he had worn for so long was torn away completely, revealing the madness in his eyes. Theme: Freedom to choose whom you marry