The Talented Lady Marries a Playboy

Gentle and tender, a true talent x a pure-hearted fake playboy [Marriage Before Love]

Lin Jingxuan, daughter of the Assistant Minister of Rites, was born with breathtaking beauty and unmatched grace. Her family had been steeped in scholarship for generations, and she excelled at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She had been adored since childhood.

After she came of age, the suitors came in an endless stream.

Lin Jingxuan had hoped to carefully choose a good husband, live in harmony with him, and spend her life in peace.

Unexpectedly, an imperial edict fell upon her like a bolt from the blue,

tying her to Lu Ming, heir to the Marquis of Ling'an.

Lu Ming was the only legitimate son of the Marquis of Ling'an, known as Young Lord Lu. He had a handsome, refined face, but was notorious throughout the capital as a playboy, spending his days chasing women and indulging in wine and revelry.

On their wedding night, the red candles glowed brightly. After lifting her veil, Lu Ming said, "I know you were forced to marry me, and this wasn't what you wanted. Don't worry, I won't force you into anything. From now on, we'll each live our own lives and stay out of each other's way."

Faced with such an outrageous proposal, Lin Jingxuan meekly agreed.

With the mindset that she might as well make the best of things, she planned to settle down and live peacefully at the marquis's residence.

*

At a palace banquet, Lin Jingxuan impressed the emperor with her poetry, and for a time, she was the center of attention.

From a distance, Lu Ming watched her chatting and laughing with the heir to the Marquis of Guangping. For some inexplicable reason, he grew furious and gritted his teeth.

"Lin Jingxuan, have you forgotten that I'm your husband?"

Beneath the soft lamplight, the woman smiled sweetly and tilted her head in confusion.

"But weren't you the one who said we'd stay out of each other's way, my lord?"

*

Later, Lu Ming clutched the woman's sleeve, his face full of pleading.

"My dear, could you look at me a little more?"

Lin Jingxuan thought for a long while. When she raised her eyes, her long lashes fluttered, and her eyes shone like stars.

"For every step you take toward self-improvement each day, I'll look at you one more time."

[In his forties, Lu Ming had risen to the highest ranks of court. Looking back on the first half of his life, he could never forget that moment.]

Content warnings:

1. The male lead gradually falls for the female lead in their daily life. He doesn't like her from the start.

2. The female lead has a few tricks up her sleeve. Her goal is to put her husband on the right track and turn a playboy into an ideal man.

Theme: A pampered wife always inspires her husband to improve