Lanlan

From a noble young lady in the Marquis's household to a consort deep in the palace, Xu Shilan finally understood how bitter it could be to take just one ladle from the vast waters of three thousand rivers.

She has a sweet tooth and hates bitter flavors.

Then she'll toss away the ladleful that makes her suffer!

Be

A little formulaic

Completed historical romance: It Turns Out She's My Cousin

Xu Shijing wasn't at all bothered by suddenly acquiring a conveniently well-rounded cousin. After all, she was elegant enough to grace a formal gathering and capable enough to cook in the kitchen. She could read account books and knew medicine, too. When he found out she was in love with him, he was even more pleased. He could exploit her without a second thought and keep her firmly in hand. What a wonderful arrangement!

But could someone tell him why she had turned around and accepted her childhood sweetheart's proposal?

Xin Yue: "You know Chen Yan has always been cautious. How else could I investigate him thoroughly if I didn't pretend to accept? Isn't that what we agreed on?"

Xu Shijing sneered. "Yes, you're so clever."

The day before the formal engagement, he destroyed Chen Yan's birth-date card. The next day, their marriage arrangements fell through because their horoscopes were incompatible.

Before setting out on a campaign, he discovered that his mother was arranging a match for her, and she was seriously meeting the prospective suitor from behind a screen.

Xu Shijing: "What, is there not enough work to do at the estate? Not enough account books to read? Are you in such a hurry to marry someone else and manage his household?"

"You're about to discuss marriage, too. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to remain a young lady in your household. If I find a good husband, I'll be a great help to you as well." Xin Yue earnestly asked whether he wanted help with the military or the imperial court.

Xu Shijing said harshly, "Fine! You're so considerate."

The next day, he packed up her belongings and took her with him to the frontier.

When he returned victorious to court, Xu Shijing, the battle-hardened heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan and the frontier's God of War, made a request in the Golden Throne Hall. He wasn't asking for rank or riches. "Your Majesty, I beg you to grant me a marriage decree!"

New novel: He Thought He Was the Substitute

Blurb:

Yun Wanhe, the Qingyi Commandery Princess, grew up in the palace. The emperor doted on her, the empress dowager indulged her, and she and her childhood sweetheart were in love with each other. But after her coming-of-age ceremony, she heard that her sweetheart had chosen to marry another girl!

She "voluntarily" went to Yongzhou to clear her head, where she unexpectedly ran into Xu Cuo, a man who looked about half like her childhood sweetheart.

Dislike the house and everything in it: when you hate someone, looking like them is your fault.

Watching the taciturn man grow so helplessly exasperated with her filled Yun Wanhe with delight.

But one shouldn't celebrate too soon. After an accident, the two of them fell into the water. Not only did he breathe air into her mouth, but they also had to depend on each other as they fled and wandered.

The male lead's perspective:

Xu Cuo had lived like a walking corpse in the Xu household since childhood, as insignificant as air.

Then one day, a girl appeared from who knew where. She seemed unable to see anyone else and kept hanging around him every day.

Just as he realized how he felt, a man who looked a little like him suddenly appeared. He told Yun Wanhe, "A-Wan, I was wrong. Come back with me. You don't have to pin your affections on someone who looks like me anymore. I'll stay by your side from now on."

So he really was nothing but a substitute.

Fine. If he was a substitute, then so be it. He accepted it.

Xu Cuo: "If you're going to live with him, I won't come over. I don't want to get in his way. But find me somewhere close to you. I can support myself. Just remember to come see me every month."

Yun Wanhe rolled her eyes. "He lives at his place. You live at mine!"

Theme: Take control of your own fate.