(The original pampering-wife-becomes-empress setup was too angsty, and I just couldn't think of anything, so I changed it QAQ)
In the third year of Wude, the land was divided among warring factions. A miserable mother and son sought refuge at the Pingyang Marquis's residence in the capital.
The Marquis of Pingyang was a man who valued loyalty and friendship. Remembering his old sworn-brotherhood with the woman's family, he immediately welcomed the mother and son into his estate.
That year, the marquis's daughter, Rong Xi, was eight years old. The little darling, dressed in white silk, burst into the hall as usual, only to find Wei Zhao and his mother kneeling on the ground in ragged, bloodstained clothes. The little darling jumped in fright, her face full of fear.
The marquise doted on her daughter and hurried to pull her close, asking softly, "Did they scare you?" When her daughter didn't answer, she shot the marquis a displeased look...
The scene was awkward beyond words.
Rong Xi was a sensible girl. She bit her lip and calmed herself before preparing to say she was fine. But as soon as she timidly raised her head, she met Wei Zhao's dark eyes. He was like a little wolf cub, his black pupils gleaming as he glared at her with cold, ferocious defiance...
"..."
The little darling: "Waaah, Father... I don't want to live with them... I'm scared..."
Just as Rong Xi had wished, the little wolf cub left the marquis's estate a few years later.
Later still, the Marquis of Pingyang was accused of treason and collusion with the enemy. The emperor flew into a rage and ordered a thorough investigation of the marquis's household.
The day the marquis was thrown into prison was also the day Wei Zhao returned in triumph after putting down a rebellion by the vassal kings. For his merits in quelling the unrest, the emperor personally appointed him General Weiyuan and put him in command of the imperial guards in the capital.
That night, the former marquis's little darling knelt in the main hall of the general's residence. Her eyes were as red as a rabbit's, and she trembled, looking pitiful and helpless.
General Weiyuan sat in a sandalwood chair, his brows knitted deeply as he said nothing.
After a long silence, Wei Zhao finally stood up. But when he took just two steps toward her, the woman began trembling even harder.
Seeing Rong Xi shake like a leaf, the helpless big bad wolf furrowed his brows. In the end, he crouched down and rubbed the little white rabbit's head, sighing softly. "What are you so afraid of me for...?"
[Soft, sweet, delicate little white rabbit x scheming, aloof big bad wolf]
[The heroine falls in love after marriage; the hero has been in love with her for a long time] 1v1, both leads are sexually inexperienced, sweet romance, fictional setting
A love story about a big bad wolf who rises to power and carries a little rabbit back to his den :)
Theme: Fortune turns in cycles, so treat those around you well
