My Husband Doesn't Seem to Love Me (Matriarchal Society)

[Daily updates begin when the novel goes premium. I’ll post a notice if anything comes up. Updates are scheduled for 7 p.m., though they may occasionally be late. 70% piracy protection. Thank you, dear readers!] [If you like it, please add it to your collection!] The eldest prince of the Jin’an Dynasty, Chu Chiyu, was born to privilege. His beauty was breathtaking, and he was famous throughout the capital for being impossible to please. He detested women, especially the way they looked at him. Once, his betrothed tried to force herself on him, using their engagement as an excuse. That very night, he crippled her. From then on, no one dared to provoke the eldest prince lightly. Chu Chiyu thought he would never love a woman in his life. Then factional strife led to an ambush. His face was disfigured, he lost his voice, and he was badly wounded and left stranded in Jiangnan. The authorities mistook him for a refugee and forcibly handed him over to a poor farming family’s scholar. Her name was Shen Yunqiao. Lecherous, greedy, and talkative. The first time she saw him, she looked disgusted. “My family can barely afford to eat. Can’t you give me someone who’s easier to support?” Chu Chiyu was so furious that he burst into tears on the spot. The village head was delighted. “Look at that, he’s so moved he’s crying!” Chu Chiyu: “…” I’ll kill her sooner or later. Later, Shen Yunqiao spent money to treat his wounds. Once he was healed, she would lean over the bed and drool as she stared at his face, coveting his slender waist and full chest. But whenever he turned cold, she would draw back her hand obediently. She even gave him the money she had worked so hard to earn. At night, afraid his injuries hurt, she would drowsily reach out and massage him all night. Chu Chiyu went from disliking her to gradually getting used to always having her by his side. He never realized what was happening. The day his subordinates came to find him, he even thought he had finally been set free. To sever this absurd marriage, he personally staged a show of falling for someone else. His cruel words crushed the last of Shen Yunqiao’s hopes of keeping him. He got his wish and returned to the capital. It wasn’t long before Chu Chiyu realized he was sick. He couldn’t sleep, he was irritable, and he hated anyone touching him. Yet his body desperately yearned for one person’s warmth. The imperial physicians were at a loss. He slowly figured it out for himself. He wanted Shen Yunqiao to hold and touch him. He wanted her to lean over and kiss him like she used to, looking at him with hungry eyes. Later, the new top scholar rode through the main street. From across the pavilions, Chu Chiyu saw the woman who was driving him to madness. Shen Yunqiao wore red and looked triumphant. Excellent. She finally came. The next moment, a fair, beautiful young man ran out of the crowd straight toward Shen Yunqiao. She dismounted and smiled as she welcomed him into her arms. He was said to be her husband. Bystanders sighed. Such a fine husband, and he was already married. The smile vanished from Chu Chiyu’s face. Jealous, vicious venom spread through his heart, and his body began to itch. Only Shen Yunqiao’s kisses and caresses could soothe him. Her embrace was supposed to be his. How could a worthless husband deserve to stand by her side? That night, the eldest prince cornered the new top scholar beneath the palace walls. Red-eyed, he pressed her hand against his waist. His voice was commanding, but tinged with a trace of grievance. “Hold me.” Shen Yunqiao: “?” Chu Chiyu held back, but couldn’t hold it in. “Didn’t you used to like it?” PS: 1. [Cheerful, dependable poor scholar × cold, ruthless, jealous eldest prince who hates women]. The male lead genuinely hates women at first. He falls in love without realizing it, then drives his wife away through his own foolishness and starts losing his mind. 2. After they part, the male lead develops severe skin hunger and craves only the female lead’s touch. He’s completely in love with her. He maintains the dignity of an eldest prince in public, but in private, he wishes he could cling to her every second. (If this kink isn’t for you, please don’t read.) 3. The beginning features cozy village life as he recovers. Later: imperial examinations, a reversal of identities, a jealous husband, and a long road to winning his wife back. 4. One-on-one romance, happy ending, matriarchal society, men can bear children. 5. To explain why this is a one-on-one romance in a matriarchal setting with both leads remaining exclusive: Yunqiao’s heart is small. It can hold only her family and the person she loves. She is sparing with her affection, giving it only to those she cares about. People she doesn’t care about leave no mark on her heart. That’s who Shen Yunqiao is. Shen Yunqiao loves only Chu Chiyu, and Chu Chiyu loves only Shen Yunqiao. You’ll understand why as you read. My next two novels in this setting will also be exclusive one-on-one romances. That won’t change. Maybe I’ll write a one-on-N matriarchal romance later. That’s all. I won’t answer questions about this again. If you have other questions, I’ll address them all once the novel is complete! Theme: Sincerity deserves to be cherished. Relationships should be built on respect and honesty.