The Abandoned Wife Becomes Empress

[Female lead's perspective] Her older sister was unconscious, so Yuan Xi married Fu Fengbai as his second wife, standing by him and the Marquis of Changning's household through their five most difficult, humiliating years. Five years later, her sister unexpectedly woke up. Since a marquis's household could not have two principal wives, Fu Fengbai ultimately chose her sister. Yuan Xi's five years of standing by him through thick and thin became a cruel joke. In the end, she was cast aside, driven out of the Fu family by Fu Fengbai and her sister working together. After Yuan Xi left, Fu Fengbai kept thinking of her: of all those quiet afternoons when the garden was full of flowers, and Yuan Xi sat beneath the gardenias, her freshly washed hair tumbling over her shoulders as she read with a book in hand, gentle and serene. At the sound of his footsteps, she would look up and smile warmly at him. Fu Fengbai realized that he loved Yuan Xi and wanted to win her back. He thought there was no way she could ever meet a man more distinguished and accomplished than him, except for the exalted ruler, the new emperor. He smugly waited for Yuan Xi to change her mind, but in the end, all he received was an imperial decree appointing her empress. - [Male lead's perspective] Pei Yuzhou had been in love with Yuan Xi for more than ten years. Over that time, he went from an unknown prince to a vassal king decorated for his military achievements, and finally to the emperor himself. He watched over her from places where she couldn't see him, watching her go from a young lady to a marquise, from a girl to a woman. Pei Yuzhou knew Yuan Xi loved someone else, so he never expected to have her in this lifetime. He could endure and conceal the love and longing in his heart, making sure she would never find out. Until news of Yuan Xi's divorce lit the smoldering flame in his heart. He began sneaking out of the palace in disguise, boldly buying a house next to hers, and creating countless "coincidental" encounters, luring her into falling for him step by step, until the little bird landed in his tender web and could never escape. "Yuan Xi, when we meet again, I won't let you leave my side." That was what he said. - [Short scene] After her divorce, Yuan Xi bought a house in the capital. Just a few days later, new neighbors moved in next door. The new neighbor was a tall, handsome young man, refined and composed, gentle in manner, widely learned, and an excellent cook to boot. He was always bringing over pastries he had made himself, his eyes crinkling as he smiled at her. Before she knew it, Yuan Xi had gradually fallen for him. She thought she was marrying an ordinary scholar. Then, just before the wedding, an imperial decree appointing her empress arrived. Only then did she learn that the young man who spoke so gently and always brought her delicious pastries was the emperor. 1. The current man: Gentle with a touch of madness, scheming at every turn and fiercely possessive. He knows how to make you happy, and how to make you feel good. The heroine: Gentle and resolute. Once she makes up her mind, she never looks back. When she loves you, you're her whole world; when she doesn't, you're shit. The ex: He didn't know how to cherish her, and regrets losing her. He does everything in his power to win her back, and in the end suffers terribly, body and soul. 2. To be added [Coming soon: To be added] Theme: There's always someone who loves and protects you from behind