*A scheming black-lotus heroine skilled in acting and martial arts vs. a hero with incredible emotional obliviousness and the vibe of a devoted husband
Xie Ziheng was the village's calligraphy and painting teacher. He married a young, beautiful wife, delicate and frail.
Although his wife was often sickly, pampered, and prone to getting moody, Xie Ziheng was more than happy to indulge her.
Every day, he got up early to light the fire, cook, tidy the courtyard, and prepare breakfast for his wife. Only after setting out the bowls and chopsticks would he sling his book case over his shoulder and go set up his stall on the street.
“Husband~”
His wife, still lounging in bed, poked half her face out from under the covers and called to him in a clingy voice. “Don't forget to bring me a skewer of candied hawthorn from the shop at the end of the lane when you come home~”
She was so adorable that Xie Ziheng couldn't resist pinching her cheek. “I know. Don't touch the dishes after you eat. Leave them for me to wash when I get back.”
Their life was poor but peaceful and comfortable, and Xie Ziheng felt content.
But there were always people in the village who seemed unable to stand seeing him happy, and came by every day to badmouth his wife.
The burly butcher said, “A couple of days ago, I went hunting in the hills and saw your wife take down a huge wild boar with her bare hands, just like that!”
Xie Ziheng said, “How could that be? My wife can't lift anything heavy or do any hard labor. If she even nicks her finger, her eyes turn red and she feels wronged for ages. How could she fight a beast with her bare hands?”
The gossipy old woman said, “The other day, I saw your wife whispering with a man in the woods. They were acting so suspiciously, it couldn't have been anything good!”
Xie Ziheng said, “Don't you dare slander her! My wife is refined and virtuous, and would never do anything improper!”
Even the neighbor's child said, “Yesterday, I saw your wife leading a whole bunch of men in black, flying around in the sky!”
Xie Ziheng said, “...You must have been dreaming, child. You weren't awake yet.”
In short, Xie Ziheng never believed a word the villagers said. After all, he knew his wife better than anyone. Why would he listen to idle gossip?
That is, until a stern, imposing squad filled the courtyard of Xie Ziheng's home.
And his usually delicate wife stood at the head of the group, dressed in fitted martial attire with a long saber at her waist, looking every bit the formidable commander as she said:
“Su Yizhao, Commander of the Jinghuan Bureau, welcomes the Sixth Prince back to the palace!”
Xie Ziheng was completely stunned. Only then did he realize that the village schoolteacher, the old woman who sold vegetables, and even the neighbors whose names he couldn't remember were all impostors.
And he knew nothing about the person who had shared his bed for three years.
Su Yizhao stood in the shadows at the corner of the grand hall, watching the Sixth Prince stand at the head of the assembled officials.
He was majestic and handsome, with none of his former gentleness left in his eyes. He handled state affairs swiftly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation, yet from beginning to end, he wouldn't spare her a single glance.
Su Yizhao lowered her eyes and quietly rubbed her nose.
Oh no.
He really was angry this time. The kind of angry she couldn't talk her way out of.
Theme: Someone is always quietly looking out for you
