The Tale of Seizing the Vermilion

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Marriage first, love later | Bickering couple | Love and hate

[Sharp-minded, strikingly handsome, unhinged prince x quirky former dynasty princess x fiercely protective, aloof, jade-faced young general who spoils his sister]

On the day they went to admire flowers by the lotus pond, Xie Yan caught his future second brother-in-law, Zhong Zhufeng, in a compromising situation.

A woman nestled in his arms, too shy to look up, her fragrant shoulder slightly exposed and her slender waist easily held in one hand. Xie Yan teased them with a few words, then strolled away.

It was a long time before he found out that the woman in Zhong Zhufeng's arms that day was the very woman he would soon marry as his beloved princess consort.

Zhong Lingyi was a cherished flower raised in the Duke of Zhenguo's household, though she was only a transplanted branch.

Everyone knew that the duke's second son, Zhong Zhufeng, doted on her as if she were the apple of his eye. But no one knew he had fought and earned military honors at the cost of his life simply so that one day he could establish his own household and marry her openly and honorably.

During a battle, the Ninth Prince Xie Yan, serving as military commissioner, shot an enemy hostage through the throat to secure victory. The hostage had been Zhong Zhufeng's closest friend. Enraged, Zhong Zhufeng fought Xie Yan brutally, and if Zhong Lingyi, dressed as a man, hadn't stopped him, he would have sent Xie Yan to his grave.

In the end, Xie Yan returned victorious and was enfeoffed as Prince Ning, celebrated throughout the capital as a wise and mighty hero. Zhong Zhufeng, meanwhile, was exiled to the frontier for insubordination.

Zhong Lingyi hated Xie Yan, but the Duchess of Zhenguo's calling card was delivered to Prince Ning's residence, where a selection of consorts was being held.

Officially, it was to make amends on her son's behalf. In truth, with her son away, the duchess was using the chance to throw out the wildflower her husband had picked up years ago.

Marry that bastard who had left her second brother unable to return home?

She smiled. This marriage decree couldn't have come at a better time.

The beloved daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's household, which held military power, was a match with ulterior motives. The princes were all too eager to avoid her.

In the end, the one who got stuck with her was the elegant and refined Prince Ning.

Xie Yan had a brilliant plan: marry a completely insignificant ornament. With his usual reputation for avoiding conflict, no one would question the marriage, and at a crucial moment, he could still draw on his wife's family for support.

But when he lifted the bridal veil, he froze.

She was the young man who had stood in front of Zhong Zhufeng during that fight, the little tyrant who had looked ready to swallow him whole while bandaging his wounds.

As time went on, he realized she wasn't an ornament at all. She was a force of nature.

She really was foolish.

On his father's birthday, she insisted on keeping him in bed, making him arrive late and get scolded in front of everyone.

He had always maintained an image of frugality, but she went overboard with extravagant spending, getting his stipend cut.

Best of all, a rumor spread through the streets that Prince Ning had an insatiable appetite, and that his considerate princess consort had filled a whole courtyard with concubines for him. His father was so angry he smashed a teacup.

Only Xie Yan knew she had invited those young women over to play polo and share hotpot with her.

After more than half a year of this chaotic life, Zhong Lingyi heard that her second brother had been gravely wounded in battle and was missing. In her desperation, she faked her death and fled. Xie Yan was beside himself with grief, only then realizing that the mischievous girl had already claimed his heart.

The news of Prince Ning's consort's death was announced to the world.

Meanwhile, after an arduous search, Zhong Lingyi found her second brother, only to discover that he had lost his memory and was about to marry a hunter's daughter.

Zhong Zhufeng asked who she was.

She wiped the tears from the corner of her eye, lifted her head, and smiled brightly. "I'm the woman you were betrothed to before we were born."

Zhong Zhufeng looked coldly at the man behind her. "And who is he?"

Zhong Lingyi glanced back at her furious ex-husband, who had chased after her, then affectionately linked her arm through Xie Yan's and introduced him to Zhong Zhufeng. "He's my biological brother, your dear brother-in-law."

Xie Yan glanced at his second brother-in-law, Zhong Zhufeng.

Then slowly looked down at the arm his mischievous wife had linked through his.

At last, he turned to his beloved princess consort with an utterly baffled expression.

[Bonus Scene]

"How have I wronged you? I gave you everything you wanted, and you still dared to fake your death and run away? What does Zhong Zhufeng even mean to you?"

Zhong Lingyi, caught after faking her death, spat in his face.

"You don't deserve to mention him! My second brother is a true hero, a man who stands tall between heaven and earth. You're nothing but a false gentleman in human skin! You aren't fit to touch one of his fingers!"

Xie Yan laughed instead of getting angry. He calmly wiped the spit from his face, but a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

"I'm cold-blooded and ruthless, and you're full of schemes..."

He seized her chin and leaned close to her ear, breathing against it suggestively:

"Is there anyone in this world more suited to each other than we are?"

Theme: Life's road is long, and every meeting is a matter of fate.