The Concubine as Wife

At sixteen, her father died.

Yu Qing knelt before his coffin and refused to rise. After the funeral, she was driven from her home, falling from a young lady of wealth to a beggar on the streets.

On a snowy night in Bianjing, Yu Qing huddled on the street with only dogs for company. Knowing her death was near, she saw someone block the clear moonlight, holding a lantern that lit a corner of the darkness.

They lived together in one room without knowing each other's background or asking each other's age. Only when spring came did Yu Qing learn that the person beside her was the son of the Duke of Jin.

"My lord, you saved my life that day. I am willing to repay you with my own life."

"Then move to another courtyard. It's better there."

"All right."

Later, some said the Duke of Jin's second son was engaged to the chancellor's daughter. Others said a princess had taken a fancy to him and he was about to marry...

Yu Qing stayed in her little courtyard, watching Su Youci appear every other day without asking or bringing anything up, willingly accepting her place as his kept woman.

Yu Qing wanted revenge. Before long, the General Who Conquers the Barbarians' household was on the verge of collapse, accused of insubordination and colluding with enemy forces.

Not long after, Su Youci repaid her great kindness by making his "kept woman" his wife. The Su household gained a new mistress.

Su Youci: "Everyone in the world says you're not worthy of me. Only I know that you're the only person in this world willing to risk your life for me, just so I can live."

Yu Qing: "...My lord has misunderstood. That was a temporary measure."

Su Youci: "I don't care. You favor me. You only love me."

Yu Qing: "Yes. I only love you."

[Reader Advisory]

1. The male lead has a major 'I really do love her' moment. The setting is fictional, and both leads are single at the start.

2. The male lead is not a virgin. He has only been with one other person, six months before getting together with the female lead. Don't read if that bothers you.

3. The leads' personalities complement each other. The male lead has no wife or engagement. This is a one-on-one romance, and they will marry.

4. The story is affectionate throughout. It takes time for the leads to move from testing each other to falling in love. Happy ending.

5. If you're strict about historical accuracy, please move along. Let's all get along.

[Next Up: "No Need to Be This Noble Consort," an openhearted, straightforward beauty × an emperor whose words contradict his feelings]

Shen Shihuan is the youngest child in the Minister of Revenue's household. With an elder brother renowned for his achievements and an elder sister who is the most favored consort in the palace, she has lived freely since childhood and is called a wild child by her elders.

Who would have thought that her elder sister, the empress, would die suddenly, and less than two years later Shen Shihuan would be sent into the palace and made a noble consort?

The emperor is ten years older than her, peerlessly handsome, cold in both face and heart... Better not get close to him. But why does His Majesty keep running to Chenfeng Palace every day?

Shen Shihuan blinks and pretends to be weak. "Your Majesty, I..."

Chu Hansheng points at the moonflower outside the window. "The flower is blooming beautifully tonight."

Shen Shihuan sighs silently and picks up a lamp. "Then I'll accompany Your Majesty to admire it."

The other consorts in the harem: Great! At last, we don't have to attend the emperor!

Shen Shihuan: "Rongrong, tell your auntie, who loves you most?"

Third Princess: "Auntie."

Shen Shihuan: "Then who do you dislike most?"

Third Princess: "...Father."

Nearby, Chu Hansheng thinks for a moment, then turns to his attendant. "Noble Consort Shen has been rather free lately. About the Spring Banquet..."

Attendant Zhang Cheng: "This servant understands. The Palace Service Bureau will do everything it can to help Your Highness prepare the Spring Banquet."

Theme: Believe that justice will always come.