Beauty's Allure

[A vicious, obsessive, devoted-dog male lead and a beautiful, kindhearted, gentle female lead]

Chu Yao was the renowned beauty of Yongji County, with skin as smooth as ice and jade, and a smile that could captivate anyone.

Before she had even reached her coming-of-age ceremony, countless families had come to ask for her hand in marriage.

But one day, the matchmakers stopped coming to the Chu family home altogether.

Before long, rumors spread that Chu Yao was a fox spirit reborn, able to bewitch men's souls and drain their life force.

Chu Yao paid the rumors no mind. She carried on caring for the younger brother she had found by the river, and even gave him the name Chu Ling.

Chu Ling looked at Chu Yao as she held his hand and taught him to write, stroke by stroke. Obedient and sensible, he said, "Sister, don't be sad. Once I learn to read and write, I'll earn lots of money for you."

Chu Yao smiled faintly and couldn't resist teasing him. "When Ling'er grows up, why not find your sister a husband who's accomplished in both letters and arms?"

Chu Ling looked confused. "What's a husband?"

Chu Yao stroked his head and explained, "A man who can help me take care of you, Ling'er."

Two years later, Yuwen Xiao, heir to the Prince of Yan, suddenly left the capital and headed straight for Yingzhou with eight hundred guards.

The guards surrounded the tiny Yongji County until not even a drop of water could get through.

A dashing young man on horseback stormed into the county magistrate's residence and arrested the groom, who was about to take part in the wedding ceremony, on charges of treason.

Chu Yao stared at the man before her, dressed in a dark robe embroidered with python patterns, and blurted out, "Ling'er?"

Yuwen Xiao glanced at the groom, who knelt on the ground trembling, and smiled as if he wouldn't hurt a fly. "Sister, have you forgotten? You said you wanted a husband accomplished in both letters and arms."

A few days later, the magistrate's entire family was arrested, and the wedding hall became a funeral hall.

News spread through the capital of a matchmaking event. They said the heir to the Prince of Yan would choose a husband for someone.

After careful consideration, the heir chose the newly appointed top scholar for Chu Yao. She waited contentedly for the wedding day, never imagining that someone else would lift her veil.

"A Yao, we're already married. You should call me your husband..."

Chu Yao stared in terror at Yuwen Xiao, dressed in robes red as fire, and felt as if the sky were about to fall.

Yuwen Xiao pulled the woman he had long yearned for into his arms. He had no intention of letting her leave his side again, not even for a single step.

Reading guide:

1. The story is entirely fictional, with many invented details. Please don't overanalyze it.

2. An older woman-younger man romance. The female lead thinks they're four years apart, but it's actually two. They are not related by blood.

3. One true pairing, happy ending. The male lead only has eyes for the female lead and is extremely cruel to everyone else.

4. Old-school, melodramatic tropes.

2022/3/11

Theme: Honesty and trustworthiness