After Picking Up a Little Scholar (Raising Him)

The story is complete! Coming soon: The Road to the Eastern Palace Wen Hanhui has followed the marriage contract arranged by her family since childhood, diligently behaving as a refined young lady for twenty years, all so she can marry a good husband. But the Wen family has fallen on hard times in recent years. After her intended passes the imperial examination, the Chancellor's household snatches him up as a son-in-law, and Wen Hanhui becomes a laughingstock in the capital. - When her now-prosperous intended remembers their old attachment and sends a letter offering her the position of concubine, some people envy her for climbing to a higher branch, while others sigh that with her background, becoming someone's concubine is all she could hope for. Even Wen Hanhui's family sees it as a favor and urges her to accept. Her father says: "Daughter, accept it. Otherwise, if you end up with a daughter whose engagement was broken, where will that leave my reputation?" Her mother says: "Daughter, accept it. Then your younger brother can attend a good school. Once he's successful, you'll have a reliable family to fall back on, and the Chancellor's household won't dare mistreat you." Her younger brother says: "Sister, accept it. I want to live in a big house in the capital and enjoy being waited on!" - Wen Hanhui's heart turns to ashes. After crying through the night, she comes to her senses. If she marries an unfaithful man who has climbed to a higher branch, and stays in a family that wants to sell her for status and money, her life will be ruined. So Wen Hanhui packs her things and leaves home alone. Her father grits his teeth and says: "If you walk out of this house, don't ever come back." Wen Hanhui never returns. - Just as Wen Hanhui thinks she is destined to spend her life alone, a filthy little boy collapses outside her shabby home and audaciously grabs her foot. That one grab ties him to Wen Hanhui for the rest of her life. Wen Hanhui looks down into his clear eyes. She swears she isn't taking him in because he's cute. She only wants to protect one of the few remaining innocent souls in this world. Really. Since you collapsed outside my house, you're mine now. So Wen Hanhui bends down and tells the boy: "Son, call me Mother. Call me Mother and I'll save you." The twelve-year-old, down-and-out Lu An: "...Mother." - Little scene: Matchmakers are always interested in Wen Hanhui's marriage prospects. When she has nothing, they introduce her to the butcher who lives across the street. When she has made a little progress, they introduce her to a tutor in the capital. When she is at the height of her glory, they introduce her to the Chancellor. Wen Hanhui: "Isn't the Chancellor Lu An, my son?" Lu An: "Hah, who are you calling your son!" Warnings: 1. The female lead is eight years older than the male lead. 2. Both leads are virgins. 3. The Chancellor she raised returns the favor! - Coming soon: The Road to the Eastern Palace When they were young, Li Xiyan, the Grand Tutor's daughter, was sweet, obedient, and well-behaved, never doing anything improper. Who could have guessed that she would rebel by falling in love with the Crown Prince, Jiang Chen? He was the moon, surrounded by stars. She was the dimmest star, gathered around him. Every day, Li Xiyan looked forward most to going to the palace for lessons, where she could catch a glimpse of his face. She silently accompanied him as he went from an abandoned, reckless young man with nothing to rely on to a ruler sitting securely on the throne, adopting the era name Tianqi. Li Xiyan was always watching Jiang Chen, but he never saw her. Only when Jiang Chen brought Lady Su into the palace did Li Xiyan realize that his heart had long belonged to someone else. Six years later, News of Emperor Tianqi's sudden death spreads throughout the capital. Yet among those gathered to mourn the late emperor, Li Xiyan sees Jiang Chen once again. He had faked his death and left the Forbidden City. She turns and runs, determined never to get involved with him again. But Jiang Chen refuses to let her go. He corners her against a wall, his eyes red and his voice hoarse as he asks: "Can we still be together?" Li Xiyan lowers her eyes and stands meekly, just as she did back then, but softly replies: "No." Grief surges into Jiang Chen's throat in an instant. Character dynamics: Crown Prince from the Cold Palace * youngest daughter of the Grand Tutor Reckless playboy * sweet, innocent girl Proud * sensitive Warnings: 1. Devoted love + mutual pining fulfilled + rekindled love + groveling to win back his wife, all in one hot pot Theme: Hard work, thrift, and diligence are the only path to wealth