[Native-born noblewoman vs. transmigrated Mary Sue, male lead pursues his wife after losing her, second male lead rises to the top, romantic rivals compete for her; also known as Springtime in the Boudoir]
Xu Lingchun was born into a distinguished family and betrothed to Zhao Xu as a child. The two had once been childhood sweethearts, but in the end, she couldn't compete with the "true love" who came out of nowhere.
Zhao Xu's "true love" could compose poetry, make soap, and freeze ice with saltpeter. Her newly opened department store was rumored to rake in gold every day.
At a spring banquet, the young woman took up her brush and wrote, "Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters descending from Heaven..." Her words won the admiration of the literati, and even Xu Lingchun couldn't help but marvel. Who could resist such a vivid, dazzling young woman?
But Zhao Xu said, "She and I are kindred spirits, with no romantic feelings for each other. A Ling, you're overthinking it."
"You are the only woman I'll ever marry."
Xu Lingchun believed him. But on the night of the lantern festival, a burning pavilion collapsed, putting both her and the young woman in danger. Zhao Xu threw himself toward the so-called "kindred spirit" without a second thought.
If a passerby hadn't happened to save Xu Lingchun, she might have died right there.
*
Xu Lingchun wanted to break off the engagement. When Zhao Xu first heard the news, he assumed she was just throwing a tantrum.
It wasn't until their betrothal documents were exchanged back that he realized she was serious!
Panicking, Zhao Xu rushed straight to the Xu residence, only to be blocked at the gate and then given the runaround.
At last, he was told he was too late. Xu Lingchun had left the capital days ago to visit her maternal grandfather in Jiangnan and celebrate his birthday.
He hurried south through the night, only to witness a scene that set his jealousy ablaze.
Xu Lingchun walked slowly across a stone bridge in the slanting drizzle, sharing an umbrella with a handsome young man. Their gentle expressions made them look like a perfect couple.
Later, when he learned that she had agreed to marry someone else, he no longer even had the right to be jealous!
So much for childhood sweethearts being better than someone who comes along later.
*
While in Jiangnan to clear her head, Xu Lingchun met the one who came along for her.
He was a student of her maternal grandfather's old friend.
He was courteous and as pure as a jade tree. Only when she spent time with him did she understand what it meant to be truly in sync.
After they married, she happened to discover that he was the very "passerby" who had saved her at the lantern festival all those years ago!
*
Zhou He, courtesy name Jingming, top candidate in the Jiangnan provincial exam, and the next leader of the powerful Zhou family of Jiangnan.
He had always been aloof and self-possessed, with no interest in romance. That was until he met the refined young lady of the Xu family, and learned what it meant to toss and turn, pining for someone day and night.
After asking for her hand again and again, he finally won her consent.
After their wedding, they were perfectly in tune, like a harmonious pair of zithers.
Of course, anyone and anything that didn't suit them was dealt with in secret, so his wife never had to worry. Take that young General Zhao, for example.
Even after three years of marriage, Zhao Xu still hadn't given up. He kept hoping that one day A Ling would look back and rekindle their old feelings!
Zhou He snorted. That would never happen!
Unless he died first...
==Reader's Guide:
1. Noblewoman vs. proud childhood sweetheart vs. gentle newcomer. A childhood sweethearts-cannot-compete-with-the-newcomer story, told in two volumes: Volume One, Once the Sea; Volume Two, No Water but the Clouds.
2. This story has plenty of elements: old-school angsty melodrama, a transmigrated Mary Sue supporting character, a male lead who pursues his wife after losing her, a battle of male rivals, a second male lead who wins, and a rekindled romance.
3. More to come if I think of anything...
Theme: Don't lose your head over love. If you meet a jerk, cut your losses in time.
