A Spring of Good Fortune

Xun Li is the new emperor's favored official, like a blade in the emperor's hand, striking wherever he is pointed.

Though exceptionally handsome, he makes everyone tremble wherever he goes.

Behind his back, people have given him the nickname "Jade-Faced Yama."

The powerful clans treat him with utmost respect to his face, but privately look down on his humble origins.

One day, the blade fell on the Marquis of Shengling's household.

After court, the Marquis of Shengling finally lost his temper and cursed him out. "You're nothing but a mad dog. What do you have to be so proud of? You dare cross me? I'll make you regret it!"

Xun Li snorted coldly, his gaze at the Marquis of Shengling unusually icy.

The next day, the Marquis of Shengling received an imperial edict. The new emperor had betrothed his legitimate eldest daughter to Xun Li.

The marquis was so furious he skipped court for three days. A month later, however, his eldest daughter, Sheng Luyan, still entered the Xun household.

At first, everyone pitied the eldest young lady of the Marquis of Shengling's household. Such a delicate flower had been planted in a pile of cow dung.

Later, as they watched her become more and more doted on, more and more people came to the estate to ask her for favors.

Bonus scene

The new emperor hosted a banquet for his senior officials. Seeing his wife pick up a bowl of cold congee, Xun Li frowned, took it from her, and finished it in a few mouthfuls.

Noticing everyone's gaze, Sheng Luyan had a bright idea and began to wipe away tears. "My lord, I only said one little thing to you yesterday. Am I not even allowed to drink congee today?"

A vein twitched on Xun Li's forehead as he tried to say something.

Sheng Luyan quietly tugged at his sleeve and shook her head at him.

Xun Li let out a deep breath and said coldly, "If you don't behave, I won't even let you drink water!"

Sheng Luyan's eyes filled with tears.

Everyone's sympathy flared up again.

No one came to ask her for favors anymore.

Reading guide

1. Romance after marriage.

2. Theatrical heroine vs. aloof hero

Coming soon: The Peasant Girl's Road to Prosperity

Ye Qingsui woke up in a novel. She was the vain, wicked supporting female character who abandoned her poor and ugly fiancé and did whatever it took to enter the palace. Little did she know that her fiancé had a powerful background: he was the Fifth Prince, missing for years. In the end, she would grow old and die alone in the Cold Palace.

At the thought of the endless years ahead, Ye Qingsui couldn't help shuddering.

Then she thought: Her uncle would become a powerful minister, and she had a spiritual spring at her disposal. With a powerful backer and a golden finger, wouldn't making money be much better?

Ye Qingsui picked up her hoe and spatula, farming the land while winning people over with her cooking.

At first, she only wanted to earn enough to support her family and enjoy a simple, comfortable life. She never expected such immense wealth to fall into her lap.

Coming soon: The Marquis's Wife Lost Her Memory the Night Before Their Divorce

At a flower-viewing banquet, Yun Yiwan, a concubine-born daughter of the Grand Tutor's residence, didn't even have a seat. She could only stand beside her legal mother and serve her, while the older woman discussed marrying her off to the playboy fourth son of the Minister of Revenue.

Expressionless, she looked toward the front of the banquet and happened to see a stern-faced man. She couldn't help thinking how completely different the two of them were. She could never marry someone of his status in this lifetime. She wasn't even qualified to be his concubine.

Then her legal mother told her to fetch something from the lakeside pavilion. The muddy bank was slippery, and someone pushed her into the lake. When she woke up, she found herself lying in a bed, with the lofty man from the banquet beside her: the heir to the Marquis of Pingxi.

Theme: Face difficulties by striving to live well.