Crossing the Calamity

This story needs major revisions, so don't read it for now~ [Content Warning] This story features a chasing-your-wife-to-the-crematorium plot, but the author has realized they aren't yet skilled enough to handle this genre, so it's on hiatus for now.

Xu Wei, a young woman from Nan Yi, made three wishes before going to the capital at fifteen:

First, that her older sister would be safe and healthy, and never be bullied;

Second, that she would find the Duer Youlan, a rare orchid whose blossoms could be used in medicine;

Third, that she would marry the person she loved in a grand, passionate romance.

The capital was lavish and dazzling. There she met Xie Shuyan, the top third-place graduate riding through the streets in celebration. He was her betrothed, a talented man from a distinguished family, and naturally he could protect her and her older sister.

She took their marriage contract to the Xie residence and forced Xie Shuyan to marry her.

A melon forcibly twisted from the vine isn't sweet. The capital's nobles treated her like a barbarian, and her husband treated her with icy politeness. But Xu Wei said that whether it was sweet didn't matter, as long as it quenched her thirst.

For three years of marriage, she kept her head down and learned the rules, hoping only to win her husband's affection. Xie Shuyan's career soared, and the people of the Xie household seemed to have changed their opinion of her. She thought she'd succeeded, and that her wish was finally within reach.

Until she met his childhood sweetheart.

*

Xie Shuyan, a young gentleman of the capital, had just placed third in the imperial examinations. Full of ambition, he was the dream of many young women in the city. Who could have imagined that a betrothal contract would force him to marry a barbarian woman?

When he met fifteen-year-old Xu Wei, he thought she was scheming to marry into a powerful family and had ulterior motives.

At sixteen, Xu Wei was gentle and obedient, and always followed the rules.

At seventeen, Xu Wei was mysterious and wicked, and acted boldly.

He'd thought, never mind. Perhaps he would never find a perfect match in this lifetime, and would have to spend it with someone who couldn't stand him, and whom he couldn't stand either.

Who knew Xu Wei would turn around and leave?

She's already given her heart to someone else. Let's divorce. I want to go back to Nan Yi and get married.

And I'll need the Xie family to provide me with a dowry.

Four years later, Xie Shuyan became a director in the Ministry of Justice in Nanjing. Amid the sound of oars and the glow of lanterns on the Qinhuai River, he heard a familiar voice speaking with a Jianghuai accent: "Stop asking, I'm not going to work as a clerk in your office!"

The Ministry of Justice's assistant director tried to persuade her patiently. "It's a ninth-rank official post! His Majesty only established this ninth-rank position this year. It's open to men and women, and you'll be in charge of forensic examinations. Haven't you ever wanted to make a name for yourself? To be remembered in history? With your surgical skills, haven't you ever wanted to help people clear their names and seek justice?"

"I'm not going. What can I do with that little money? I'd be better off selling spices."

The assistant director was at a loss. "You're just a young woman. What do you need to earn so much money for?"

She smiled brightly. "Because I don't have long to live. I need to save up for my coffin."

One-on-one, both virgins, happy ending. Marriage before love + chasing-your-wife-to-the-crematorium + amnesia, a melodramatic story.

Theme: Live life with enthusiasm and positivity.