After Divorcing the Marquis's Heir

Next book: My Lord Husband, Why Have You Only Just Gone Mad? A marriage of convenience, married first and falling in love later, a free-spirited lady × a proper gentleman. Blurb at the end.

Her parents died young, leaving Dongqing and her younger brother to depend on each other.

One day, she saved the heir to the Marquis's household, and seized the opportunity to marry into his family.

On their wedding night, her groom never came home.

In the year that followed, he never once set foot in her courtyard.

She became the laughingstock of the Marquis's household and the entire city of Yong'an.

Only later did she learn that he and the princess had been childhood sweethearts, and that she had ruined their match.

The princess returned after divorcing her husband, and rumors spread that she intended to marry again.

Her mother-in-law threatened Dongqing in secret, demanding she lower herself to the status of a concubine.

Dongqing asked only, "Is this what he wants?"

The other woman nodded, extinguishing her last hope.

Dongqing declared resolutely, "There's no need to make things so complicated. Just give me a divorce agreement."

When they met again, she was dressed in plain clothes and making a living by running a small noodle stall.

At first, Shen Yuheng only pitied how hard she had to work to survive.

Later, he was moved by her courage and determination.

He fell for her four years after their divorce.

He confessed his feelings, but she gave a scornful smile.

Her tone was calm: "Lord Shen, affection that comes too late is worth less than grass!"

He should have stopped pursuing her, but instead he came to her stall every day.

Eventually, he even volunteered to work as a waiter.

Dongqing told him to get out.

He wasn't angry. He smiled instead. "Then I'll go drum up customers on the street."

Dongqing stared at him in disbelief. Was this really the same haughty, aloof heir to the Marquis's household?

My Lord Husband, Why Have You Only Just Gone Mad?

Lin Xi's mother died young, and Lin Xi grew up living at her maternal grandmother's estate, developing a carefree and undisciplined nature.

Lu Bai was born into a once-prominent scholarly family that had fallen on hard times. From childhood, he was taught to follow the rules of propriety and be a refined gentleman.

Lin Xi's family had been merchants for generations, with money but no power.

Lu Bai had just passed the highest imperial examination and entered government service, with a reputation but little money.

Their parents arranged their marriage.

Lin Xi sneaked out of her home and laid down three rules for her future husband. Lu Bai had never met a woman so bold, but the manners he'd learned as a child compelled him to patiently hear her out.

First: No taking concubines.

The Lu family rules allow a man to take a concubine only if he has no children by the time he turns thirty.

Second: No visiting courtesans.

I never visit brothels, nor do I have any interest in doing so.

Third: If either party wishes to end the contract, the other must agree unconditionally.

I believe in honoring contracts and won't end one lightly.

Thus the contract took effect, and their marriage was settled.

After they married, he behaved exactly as she expected, following every rule so rigidly that he was almost boring.

When she got absorbed in reading frivolous novels, he said, "Light reading leads people astray."

When she slept until late morning, he said, "One should be up by the hour of the Dragon."

When she praised the food, he said, "Don't speak while eating or sleep while sitting."

Bored with life in the inner household, Lin Xi felt an urge to tease him.

She wanted to know whether he could also restrain himself and remain composed in bed.

She draped herself against his shoulder in sheer gauze to seduce him. He said, "One should be moderate in the bedchamber."

She went to his study and deliberately flirted with him. He said, "That would be improper."

She teased him by tugging at his sash in broad daylight. He said, "That would offend public decency."

But as she teased him, Lin Xi found herself getting caught up in it.

He seemed to think it was just an exchange of benefits.

She began to grow afraid, afraid she'd never be able to leave him, and even more afraid of repeating her mother's mistakes.

She asked for a divorce, and Lu Bai calmly agreed.

She thought their relationship was over, but in the dead of night, he barged into her room reeking of alcohol, his eyes bloodshot as he asked:

"Why do you get to start things whenever you like, then end them whenever you like? I won't allow it!"

Lin Xi asked, "Where are your rules? What happened to honoring contracts?"

But he said, "There are exceptions to every rule!"

His kisses came down on her like a sudden storm, sweeping over her brow, the corners of her eyes, her cheeks, her lips...

Everywhere he touched, he stirred up waves of heat.

It turned out that the proper, rule-abiding Young Master Lu could be so wild in bed.

The first time Lin Xi felt that Lu Bai was a real, living person, with blood, flesh, and emotions, was in bed!

Theme: Rather than beg for love, choose self-respect and self-love