After accidentally falling into the water, Sheng Ling discovered that she had been born into this world.
In the original book, the heroine would transmigrate into the body of a supporting female character five years later. Brilliant and resourceful, she would help the male lead rise to power, and the two would live happily ever after. Sheng Ling, meanwhile, was merely the early-deceased first wife, remembered only in passing by the male lead. He and Sheng Ling were never deeply devoted to each other; they married only because he had saved her from drowning and was forced to take responsibility.
That was what Sheng Ling thought, now that she knew the plot.
Until the fourth concubine in the back courtyard came crying to her: "Princess Consort, please, Yao'er begs you to save Xue Lang! The Prince is going to have him tortured to death."
Sheng Ling rubbed her temples in frustration. "Where's the Prince? Where is he now?!"
The concubines in the manor were all gentle and sweet. Apart from disliking the Prince, each had a devoted lover. She'd heard the Prince had promised to let them leave the manor after a few years, once things had settled down.
But ever since she married him, that bastard had been acting crazy, picking fights with her every day. That would be bad enough, but every time, he threatened to have someone tortured to death. Wasn't he tired of it? She was certainly sick of hearing the concubines cry and tell her the same things over and over!
It was the same imperial garden, and the same rack for tying people up.
To Sheng Ling's surprise, Xiao Si's Xue Lang wasn't tied to it. Instead, the two men faced each other. Xue Lang weakly threw a punch, and the Prince dramatically fell to the ground, wailing. Then he pretended he'd only just noticed her, squeezed out a couple of tears, and rushed over to throw his arms around her.
Yan Junze: "Boo-hoo, I'm hurt. I don't want to sleep in the study tonight. I want to sleep with my wife holding me."
Sheng Ling: "..."
*
Yan Junze is Sheng Ling's fan. Unlike the masses of the Tianyuan Dynasty, who are infatuated with the only daughter of the Regent, he's not merely an admirer. He's in love with her.
So in love that when he heard his father planned to betroth her to the eldest prince, he made sure his big brother ate enough laxative beans for three straight days to give up on the idea for good.
He never thought he could marry Sheng Ling. He knew better than anyone that a good-for-nothing playboy prince wasn't worthy of a heavenly beauty like her.
Even when he saw her fall into the water and jumped in after her without hesitation, all he thought was: The road to the underworld is dark. Junze will go with you.
Later...
Yan Junze's thoughts: If something I never even dared to dream of has suddenly come true, then I have to try harder and make all the things I've thought about day and night come true as well!
Reader's guide:
1. A shameless, scheming fake playboy x a laid-back, sharp-witted true-born noble lady who never lets anyone take advantage of her.
2. The male lead is devoted to pursuing and spoiling the heroine. He's ruthless to everyone else, especially his rivals in love.
3. The original heroine never appears. In the original book, the male lead never ended up with the original heroine either. In and out of the book, the male lead only loves the heroine.
4. Both are inexperienced, physically and emotionally.
5. All settings and characters in this story are fictional. Don't look for historical accuracy.
Theme: Have the courage to pursue the one you love.
