A Painful Pitfall

Ying Yuling was a noble family's cherished daughter, raised in comfort and growing up according to plan. After her coming-of-age ceremony, her family arranged for her to marry Prince Su. Prince Su was twelve or thirteen years older than Ying Yuling and had long since left for his fief. Ying Yuling was married off to the distant region of Shannan, thinking she would spend her life as a carefree princess consort. Who knew that Prince Su already had a beloved wife? But her status was too low, and when he petitioned the emperor, his request was denied. So he chose Ying Yuling as a cover. In the bitterly cold lands of Shannan, Ying Yuling, who had been pampered for half her life, received little kindness from the prince's household and was treated harshly at every turn. Then, when chaos broke out, Prince Su fled with his own family, leaving Ying Yuling behind to die with the city. Ying Yuling died the day the city fell and her household was destroyed. When she opened her eyes again, she was back three months before the emperor issued his decree. Remembering the pain she suffered before dying, she didn't want to be mistreated for another decade and then die a miserable death. After much thought, she decided she still needed to be a nobleman's wife. Better to throw her weight around at home than marry up and spend her life watching someone else's mood. Ge Dongzhi is a rough soldier who fought his way up from the battlefield. He's not well-educated and has coarse manners. Aside from the military honors he earned by risking his life, he has no skills that could help him make a living in the imperial capital. When he returns to the capital to receive his reward, Ge Dongzhi has no idea how to deal with all the scheming and infighting. He just wants to finish the banquet, collect his reward, and head back to guard the border. Instead, for reasons he can't understand, he's granted a marriage and sent home with a delicate, pampered noblewoman who can't lift a thing, can't take a blow, and is fussy and particular. To protect his precious little wife, Ge Dongzhi dares not let up. Whether in times of peace or war, he gives everything he's got to fight for their future. Every time he thinks he can't hold on, his little wife grabs him by the collar and leads him onward, step by step. Together, they eventually welcome an era of peace and prosperity. Theme: No matter what situation you're in, keep living your life well.