Thanks for adding this to your collection. The author takes every work seriously and promises not to abandon any of them.
[Male suitors competing for the heroine + gloomy, resentful abandoned puppy of a husband + heroine's perspective, first disdain then love]
Princess Zhaohuai, Song Zhiwei, once made an agreement to fake a marriage with Xie Duhan, the son of a once-prominent family now fallen on hard times.
She promised to do everything in her power to help him climb the ranks.
Her only condition was that he marry her.
Xie Duhan agreed.
He did not disappoint her. At twenty-three, he became the youngest powerful official in the history of the founding of the Great Sheng.
They treated each other with respect and never pried into each other's private affairs.
He was exceptionally gentle with her, even in bed, where he obeyed her every instruction and put her first.
Whenever passion took hold, Song Zhiwei would clutch his shoulder and hurriedly call him "Lord Xie," to bring them both back to their senses.
One Lantern Festival night, a year later.
Xie Duhan had just accepted the ginger tea Song Zhiwei handed him. Before he could take a sip, she spoke gently. "Duhan, let's divorce."
He never expected the first time she called him anything other than Lord Xie would be to ask for a divorce.
Xie Duhan slowly lowered the bowl of ginger tea and said with his eyes downcast, "All right."
Princess Zhaohuai returned to her carefree days of admiring flowers, drinking wine, listening to music, and watching dancers.
Her close friend asked, "Three years, and you really have no feelings for Lord Xie?"
Song Zhiwei lowered her lashes. "It was only a fake marriage, after all."
Her friend's eyes lit up. She immediately ordered someone to bring out portraits of the eligible sons of noble families in the capital, filling the entire room with them. "Your Highness, take your pick."
**
After news of Princess Zhaohuai's divorce spread, handsome men who eagerly asked to serve her sprang up like mushrooms after rain.
Today it was the young general of the Sui family, tomorrow it was Lord Su of the Censorate, and the day after, the heir of the Duke of Rongguo.
They approached Song Zhiwei of their own accord, and she played along to relieve her boredom.
But strangely...
The young Sui general, who had been riding and shooting with her just days ago; Lord Su, who had gone boating on the lake with her; and the heir of the Duke of Rongguo, who had strolled through the gardens and shops with her, all suddenly shut themselves away, one after another.
Song Zhiwei found it suspicious. When she investigated, she traced it back to her gentle and refined ex-husband.
At the same time, Xie Duhan emerged from behind the screen and wrapped his arms around her covetously, burying his head against her neck and breathing in her scent with desperate intensity. Even his breath trembled.
"Your Highness, how am I inferior to them?"
#Wait, you really fell for me?
#How many people do you have to meet before you decide I'm the best?
1v1, both sexually inexperienced and faithful
● Both are sexually and emotionally faithful. The male supporting characters have one-sided feelings for the heroine.
● Romance-focused, not political intrigue!
● An alternate dynasty. Please don't scrutinize it for historical accuracy.
Theme: Have the courage to pursue love
