The Courtesan’s Secret Darling Husband (GB)

A sharp-minded, looks-obsessed, drama-loving careerist brothel owner X a beautiful but tragic, unloved tool of a man whose fate is not his own

Yuan Tanxin thinks she's basically the god of misfortune.

Every play she acted in had its lead actor disgraced, and when she became an agent, she was killed by a gift tossed down from above by a fan.

One moment she's transported to ancient times and made the owner of a brothel, the next she's caught up in an anti-prostitution raid.

I'm tired. Just destroy the world.

She was planning to slack off, but the ladies at her brothel were simply too beautiful.

She resolved to be a good boss.

"Chief... I mean, Your Honor, my brothel has already been converted into a theater!"

"Boss Yuan, are you still trying to pull a fast one?"

Xie Jiugao, the official in charge of the Imperial Music Bureau who came to inspect, was an absolute beauty, but also a wastrel who kept flirting with her star courtesan.

Yuan Tanxin thought of the meager accounts left in her books and glanced at the star courtesan, unable to bear it.

"Your Honor, our play has the star courtesan as the leading lady, and the male lead was tailor-made for you!"

"Is that so? But I'd rather perform alongside Boss Yuan."

"...Yes, Your Honor."

Worried that this wastrel would cause trouble, Yuan Tanxin rewrote the play as a matriarchal drama.

Ha! If she played the empress, surely she could handle an uneducated wastrel.

But as the top student in her acting class back in the day, she took Xie Jiugao's face in her hand with all the majesty of an empress, only to be thrown out of character by his breathtaking beauty and tearful expression.

Damn it, beauty is a distraction.

How could this wastrel be such a good actor?

He'd awakened her competitive spirit, and reignited her dream of becoming an actor.

She once again gave a thoroughly satisfying performance onstage, acting to her heart's content.

The audience erupted in applause. Deeply moved, she took Xie Jiugao's hand and bowed with him.

"Your Honor, you acted wonderfully."

Yuan Tanxin smiled sincerely, then asked Xie Jiugao, full of anticipation,

"What did you think of my acting, Your Honor?"

"Naturally, it was... awful."

Huh?????

Yuan Tanxin was so busy bristling that she didn't notice the man in front of her avoiding her gaze.

Awful!?

Yuan Tanxin was so angry she laughed, but still had to keep flattering him.

Fine, fine, Xie Jiugao. You'd better not give me the chance to get the upper hand.

Or I'll tie you up and keep you as my kept man for the rest of your life!

Xie Jiugao never believed in love. He had long since become a tool of his family.

He never felt pain or failed, and he never showed a hint of weakness.

Until the day he broke down crying in that woman's arms.

Was it all just acting...?

Then why did he hope it was real?

He put on a mask and stopped forcing himself to endure, stopped holding back, stopped worrying about the consequences.

He gave himself free rein for once, and somehow won her love.

Recently, Yuan Tanxin noticed something strange about her poor little darling.

His ears turned red whenever she touched him. Why was that just like that annoying official Xie?

Never mind. Her little boyfriend was so adorable and gentle. How could he possibly have gotten involved with that wastrel?

"Wifey."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Do you like me?"

"Of course I do."

"Then do you like Xie Jiugao?"

"Why bring him up? Are you jealous?"

"No."

"Don't worry. He and I were only acting. I really can't stand him. The only person I'll ever love is my sweet hubby."

"Mm."

"Why are you still unhappy?"

"I'm not. I'm happy."

"Oh? I spent ages cheering you up, and now you're finally happy, but you're just saying it?"

"...Just say what you want."

"Hehe, I've thought of a new play. One we can't act out during the day. Hubby, will you help me rehearse?"

"...Mm."

SC, HE

Entirely fictional setting, with a mind that goes wherever it pleases.

Theme: Even the strong have the right to be spoiled in their lover's arms.