The Fifth Lady's Everyday Life of Lying Flat

The fifth daughter of a minister is a low-ranking concubine's child with a mild temperament. She has no interest in needlework or books, and is as lazy as she can get.

Her father pointed at her and said, "When I was young, I never imagined I'd have a daughter like you. Take these dowry goods, so you won't bring shame to the family if you can't find a husband."

That night, the fifth daughter counted banknotes until dawn, leaving herself with huge dark circles under her eyes.

Her stepmother worried and confided in her trusted old nanny: "For a girl like Xiao Wu, we need to find a husband with a respectable family background and good character. If she marries one of those shameless men, he'll divorce her in two days, and then our Yuniang's marriage prospects will suffer too."

Xu Yanwen, the future top scorer in the imperial examinations, the man countless noblewomen would regret losing, thus fell into the fifth daughter's hands.

After they married, Xu Yanwen angrily clutched the fifth daughter's hand and scolded her: "You sleep all day! Didn't you just wake up? Why are you sleepy again? Do you know what people outside are saying about me?"

The fifth daughter, Shen Chunxian, innocently yawned, covering her mouth with her reddened fingers. "Eating, dressing, and sleeping are human nature."

Everyone said the newly distinguished Xu Yanwen had it rough. He seemed reserved and strict, yet had spoiled his wife into a good-for-nothing who couldn't even be bothered to pick up her chopsticks.

The Princess's Ashes of Regret

The Governor of Jinzhou, Yao, owed the Ji family money and grain he couldn't repay, so he sent them a princess with drums and fanfare to settle the debt. They said the princess was an incarnation of an immortal who governed the fortune of all under heaven.

He also brought a message: "Honor her and receive her blessings. Disrespect her and suffer misfortune."

The dashing young master of the Yao family scoffed. "Looks to me like another White Lotus Sect scam."

The Yao family's youngest uncle pondered for a long while. "Her words and actions really don't seem princess-like."

The elegant and refined eldest young master, Ji Su, said, "Since she's already been sent here, why not let her live in the upper-story pavilion?"

Half a month later, the Yao family's youngest uncle solemnly told Ji Su, "You have to marry her."

Ji Su stubbornly refused. "Let my second brother do it."

*

Yao Mei was in agony. Her face got her into trouble everywhere. Just when she had finally reunited with her father, he sent her to the powerful Yao family disguised as a princess because he couldn't repay his debts.

Yao Mei clutched her father's sleeve and cried, "Father, I hear the eldest young master Ji is ruthless. What if he realizes I'm not a princess and kills me?"

Governor Yao reassured her. "Don't worry. I'll give you all three of our hired assassins. They'll poison the food, saw through the carriage, whatever it takes. They'll believe you, for sure."

Helpless, Yao Mei was pushed into the carriage by her two younger sisters, who secretly mocked her, and sent to the Ji household.

When she arrived, the eldest young master Ji proved as ruthless as rumored. He said all the right things, then confined her in a small pavilion.

She stood on the pavilion in despair and shouted down to the man who looked like a jade tree in the breeze. "Eldest Young Master Ji, I absolutely have no designs on you. I came to marry the young master of your household!"

Only then did Ji Su reluctantly let her move around freely.

After that, he kept her under constant surveillance. When her hired assassins were caught trying to poison him, Yao Mei nearly got strangled to death.

He said, "Behave yourself. I know you're a fake princess."

*

Something suddenly went wrong after the night she and the eldest young master Ji got drunk together.

The eldest young master Ji suddenly became gentle and even let her move into the courtyard beside his.

Yao Mei was horrified. She grabbed her money and ran.

But Ji Su chased her through two cities, saying his wife had gone missing.

Yao Mei ran faster and faster, day and night without stopping. Father, save me! The eldest young master Ji must be trying to kill me!

Theme: True affection is priceless