A stingy, domineering, energetic female shopkeeper x a gorgeous, poor, good-at-acting young man
Later, after the two of them argued, Lou Zhibai rode off on a donkey to run away from home, while Jian Huaisu chased after him on horseback, snapping a whip.
Jian Huaisu: Think you've gotten too big for your boots? Running away from home, and you can't even pick a fast horse!
Lou Zhibai: The horses all belong to your family! I'm riding my father's donkey so I don't take advantage of your family!
The proper blurb:
Lou Zhibai, son of County Magistrate Lou of Shanglin County. Whatever clothes he wears, the whole county follows suit.
One reason he looks so good is that the young man works out and trains his body. He even makes sure not to get a tan while doing it. You could say every garment he wears brings out the best in it.
Pink brings out his complexion. Most men couldn't pull it off, but on him it makes his face look as beautiful as jade. Red is too bright and bold, but on him it declares that no one can rival him. Purple looks regal, green refined... He wears every color with a style all its own.
But... his father is poor, though luckily he can rent clothes.
As he grew up, whatever he wore sold out. Several clothing shops and fabric stores in the county competed to have Lou Zhibai wear their clothes, waiving the rental fee.
It's just that... you can't talk money with the shopkeepers. Bring it up and the friendship is over. They won't accept even one copper less than the full amount for any wear and tear!
Though Lou Zhibai, looking back on his teenage years, feels that his life has been almost perfectly content, apart from his mother and elder sister, who aren't very gentle-tempered, and his father and elder brother, who are both extremely henpecked and occasionally loud.
Every so often, he gets to enjoy a meal of trendy little dishes prepared by Wan Ke Lou, sneak some of the fine tea his father hides, or buy sweet drinks, candied fruit, and roasted meat from the street... And most important of all, fashionable clothes.
It's just that... he's poor!
What young man gets to wear fine clothes every day, yet has only two qian of silver in his monthly allowance, not even enough to cover the wear and tear on his clothes and accessories?
Then one day, perhaps Heaven heard his plea and sent a young woman to turn his life upside down, crisp on the outside and tender within.
(Heaven: So, did we solve that whole being poor thing or not?)
The young woman was surnamed Jian and named Huaisu. She had a few requirements for herself:
1. Keep money and power in her own hands, leaving no hidden risks.
2. Eat properly and stay fit and strong. She needs to be able to fight.
3. Never compete with another woman for a man. Why take a man who can't make up his mind?
4. Her husband must be chaste and pure. A man's chastity is the best dowry.
5. She won't marry into her husband's family. She'll marry a husband into hers.
6. More to be added at any time...
Theme: I love you, but I love myself more
