Spoiled Qing

Upcoming story: "Jiaoshu". Please add it to your collection!

Linglong is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo. Her mother died young, and her father never remarried, but she does have an adoptive older brother, Ye Louyu, a cold and heartless man who never smiles.

She has feared Ye Louyu ever since childhood. Thanks to him, however, she became the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo whom everyone in the capital praised. She excelled in poetry, music, calligraphy, painting, the zither, and chess, and was truly the capital's foremost noblewoman.

On her sixteenth birthday, her father died in battle on the northern frontier. In his final letter, he betrothed Linglong to her adoptive brother and demanded they marry at once.

Less than half a month after the Duke of Dingguo's death, the Fourth Branch drove Linglong and her adoptive brother out to live elsewhere. The whole capital watched to see what would become of the two young orphans, now husband and wife. Some felt sorry for them, while others watched for a laugh.

Those who had once fawned over them now came to kick them while they were down, as if eager to sever all ties.

Just as everyone was laughing at them, an imperial edict named Ye Louyu Crown Prince and Linglong Crown Princess.

Linglong had never imagined that her cold-faced, fearsome adoptive brother was the Emperor's only son.

From then on, she climbed the ladder to the clouds, enjoying endless wealth and glory.

Sweet romance coming soon: "Jiaoshu". Please add it to your collection!

The Marquis of Yongping was a notorious womanizer with many children. Wen Shu's mother was gone, and she was often bullied.

When she was eight, her father brought home another child born to his mistress, who was also bullied by everyone.

Wen Shu took pity on him and helped him a few times.

Neglected by the principal wife, she wasn't matched with a husband until she was seventeen.

The families her father considered for her were all utterly unsuitable. Wen Shu didn't want to marry into any of them, but she had no choice.

On the eve of her betrothal, a major event shook the capital: the Marquis of Yongping's illegitimate son was actually the Emperor's eldest son, who had been living outside the palace.

Once he was found and brought back, the Emperor immediately planned to name him Crown Prince.

Everyone in the Marquis of Yongping's household was suddenly on edge, terrified that the Crown Prince would take revenge on them.

Wen Shu thought that she and Fourth Brother had at least some rapport. Now that he had risen to the heights, perhaps she could ask him to find her a good husband. If she shamelessly pushed her luck, she might even secure a promising future.

She specially made Fourth Brother's favorite lotus pastries and went to ask for an audience, explaining what she wanted.

Xie Junyi glanced at the lotus pastries on the table and asked with utmost gentleness, "Fifth Sister, what sort of husband would you like?"

Wen Shu blushed and stammered, "I'll leave it to Fourth Brother to decide."

Xie Junyi let out a low laugh, his brows lifting as he idly toyed with his jade thumb ring. "What do you think of me, Fifth Sister?"

Wen Shu: ...?

A few sweet little notes:

1. One-on-one, scum gong, happy ending.

2. Entirely fictional setting, with many liberties taken. If you want historical accuracy, this may not be for you. The author's knowledge is limited. Feel free to point out any plot holes, but please don't make personal attacks.

Added on January 26, 2019

Theme: Love is all the sweeter after weathering hardship together.