"I would be the bride of the Wang clan, forever honored and never cast aside.
At dawn, I would serve the Minister of Works; by dusk, ascend the Phoenix Tower.
Dynasties may rise and fall, but the court will rise again.
I would be the bride of the Wang clan, forever honored and never cast aside."
The seventh young master of the Wang clan came from a six-hundred-year-old family of eminent officials and lavish wealth. His bearing was peerless, almost otherworldly. As a child, he was once surrounded by enemy soldiers, but scattered gold to gather allies and led the people in protecting the city, earning a fine reputation.
His uncle, the Minister of the Secretariat, praised him: "He is exceptionally learned and steadfast in character. Given time, he will surely be my equal."
People of the day praised his grace and poise, his ability to be neither elated by gain nor resentful of loss.
Only Xie Jiao, who had schemed at every turn to marry him, knew how she swallowed the endless days and nights of her husband's cool detachment after their wedding.
After using one ploy after another to drive away the young women who approached her husband, Xie Jiao looked at the seventh young master's same indifferent expression and suddenly felt weary.
How was she any different from these girls who admired him?
She was merely the one who had won his body. Aside from physical pleasure, none of them had won in the realm of the spirit.
The seventh young master of the Wang clan helped his wife's younger half-brother, but never expected the boy to build up military merit, become the Marquis of Zhenbei, lead an expedition beyond the northern desert, and pacify the royal court, then openly oppose him at court.
The young man had distinguished military achievements and was cautious. For a time, the seventh young master could find no fault to use against him.
Until a secret letter arrived: the Marquis of Zhenbei had been carrying on an affair with a woman for years.
He led a crowd to surround that little courtyard, determined to ruin his political enemy once and for all!
Standing tall above them, he swept aside the willow branches like a silken curtain with his long fingers.
The woman having an affair with the Marquis of Zhenbei was none other than his own wife.
Among the peonies, the young man bent down to kiss Xie Jiao urgently. Panting, he asked in broken phrases, "Sister, are you only after my youthful vigor... Why not hurry up and divorce that old thing?"
Xie Jiao lifted her head and kissed the sweat from the young man's cheek. The old thing heard his wife tenderly and affectionately soothe the boy: "Let's use him until we're done, then I'll leave him sooner or later..."
1. The heroine is irresistible to everyone, with melodramatic romantic rivalries. The heroine has experience, while the men are virgins; wife-stealing, 1V N. There are more male leads and supporting characters than the two in the blurb.
2. The Marquis of Zhenbei and the heroine are not blood-related.
3. Content warning: The heroine tells people what they want to hear. The seventh young master of the Wang clan is a career-focused dog who gradually learns how to handle intimate relationships. Unlike our Marquis of Zhenbei, he wasn't born knowing how to love.
Blurb screenshot saved for inspiration on March 22, 2026. Planning to start posting chapters. Please add to your reading list.
Theme: Sunk costs should not factor into decisions.
