My Husband Acts Strange After I Ask for a Divorce

[Starting May 6, the story will be completed in Volume 2, Chapter 1. Thank you for all your support along the way.]

After a great fire leaves Liu Zhaozhao an orphan, her betrothed changes from the young heir of the Pei family to Pei Jing, the notorious eldest illegitimate son of the Pei family.

After they marry, Liu Zhaozhao discovers that Pei Jing is nothing like the rumors say. He is distant and taciturn, neither affectionate nor cold toward her.

She assumes that's just his nature, until she sees him speaking gently to the young Miss Xu. Then it finally dawns on her.

The old servants in the household say that if not for her, Pei Jing would have married Miss Xu.

*

Liu Zhaozhao is heartbroken, but willing to make them happy, so she asks for a divorce.

That is the first time she discovers that Pei Jing really is as cruel and violent as the rumors claim. He crushes a teacup in his hand, paying no heed to his bleeding fingers, and stares at her with dark eyes, as though he might crush her next.

Liu Zhaozhao loses her nerve. "Forget I said anything..."

But Pei Jing acts as if she's betrayed him. "You're tired of me."

"It's all right. There's plenty more I can do, I just haven't shown you yet. Those young men out there may not be as good as I am."

*

Pei Jing falls in love at first sight with a young girl at his younger brother's birthday banquet. For the first time in his life, he wants someone all to himself, but she is to become his younger brother's wife.

So he goes to war and earns countless military honors, thinking that even if she marries, he can use his power to make her marry him instead, as long as he rises high enough.

But who could have guessed that one great fire would make things a little simpler?

With a little scheming, he wins his beauty, then carefully cherishes her, afraid of frightening her. Just as he thinks they have become a devoted couple, the young woman tells him she wants a divorce.

Not a chance!

If she dies, she'll die as his ghost.

Reader notes:

1. The male lead has never loved anyone before.

2. Marriage first, love later. This isn't pure sweetness; there will be some angst.

Coming soon: Winning Her Heart

Blurb:

The Yu family falls into ruin, leaving only one daughter.

To save herself, Yu Zhu has no choice but to pick up the marriage arrangement that was never finalized and head to the capital, where she knocks on the gates of the marquis's residence.

The Xie and Yu families used to be neighbors and were on good terms. They had planned to arrange a marriage between their children.

But before they could settle it, the Xie family joined the emperor's successful uprising, earning titles and a marquisate, and moved far away to the capital.

Now that their statuses are so different, she doesn't dare presume. She only hopes to find a place where she can live in peace.

But the Xie elders take the proposed marriage seriously, and Yu Zhu doesn't know what to do.

Until the legitimate son of the Xie family, Xie Yu, finds her and says in a cool voice, "You're timid and cry easily. You can't be my wife. I'll find you another good match."

Yu Zhu's nose stings. She lowers her head and meekly nods.

*

Xie Yu is used to practicing with weapons and dislikes a delicate, demure temperament like Yu Zhu's.

He thinks that as long as she behaves herself, he can still be her protector after she marries, making sure she lives without worry for the rest of her life.

Until she sprains her ankle at a polo match. Though she is usually quick to cry, she turns pale and trembles, yet doesn't utter a single word of pain to him.

When the new top scholar, who is discussing marriage with her, comes to show his concern, each tear rolling down her face feels like a grain of sand falling into Xie Yu's eye.

Reader notes:

1. Face-slapping and chasing his wife, then going mad when he can't have her.

2. Sweet and delicate heroine.

3. The heroine will suffer a little angst for a few chapters at the beginning.

Theme: Healing each other and learning mutual understanding and respect.