After Swapping Marriages with My Stepsister

[Main story complete. Collect my upcoming historical romance, The Third Year of the Substitute Marriage. Visit the author's page to find it.]

Blurb:

Qi Shuwan had a cousin who was engaged to her since they were infants, but whose family had fallen on hard times. In her previous life, she married him, worked tirelessly to manage their household, and supported him until he passed the imperial examinations and became a top scholar. His prospects soared, but her health was ruined, and she died young.

Reborn on the night before her wedding, Qi Shuwan thought she had no choice but to marry her cousin again, and the thought weighed heavily on her.

On her wedding day, however, her stepsister schemed to steal her marriage match, and by a twist of fate Qi Shuwan became entangled with Prince Ning instead.

She knew that the Prince Ning her stepsister was marrying was short-lived: he had died of illness less than six months after their wedding. He was also said to be eccentric and unpredictable. But the marriage had now fallen to her. After thinking it over, she decided that enduring half a year until Prince Ning died, then living as an idle princess in comfort, sounded like a pretty good deal.

After marrying into Prince Ning's household, Qi Shuwan discovered that he was much easier to get along with than the rumors claimed. Her life there was carefree and comfortable.

But as the days passed, one thing increasingly baffled her.

How was Prince Ning still so lively after more than half a year?

*

Qi Shujing was reborn.

In her previous life, she married Prince Ning, expecting a lifetime of wealth and luxury. But he died less than six months after their wedding, leaving her a widow. Meanwhile, Qi Shuwan's husband, Cui Jingyan, passed the imperial examinations and rose quickly through the ranks. Fortunately, Qi Shuwan was short-lived too, and died before she'd enjoyed even two years as a top scholar's wife.

Prince Ning was hopelessly unromantic and had a habit of humiliating his wife. He'd even abandoned her on their wedding night. Given a second chance, Qi Shujing didn't want to marry him again. She thought she and Cui Jingyan were a perfect match, so she simply stole Qi Shuwan's marriage.

But one day, she saw Prince Ning kick away the man who had grabbed Qi Shuwan and shield her behind him, looking incredibly tall and valiant. And the man harassing Qi Shuwan was none other than Cui Jingyan.

Qi Shujing's eyes reddened with rage.

Please collect my upcoming historical romance, The Third Year of the Substitute Marriage >▽<

Blurb:

Her elder sister ran away from her wedding, forcing Shen Yuan to take her place and marry Xiao Heng.

In the eyes of outsiders, she was a gracious and accomplished heir's wife. In Xiao Heng's eyes, she was a fraud who deceived the world.

Three years later, her sister returned. Shen Yuan had fulfilled her duty and was free to leave.

Xiao Heng also ascended the throne and intended to appoint a new empress.

Shen Yuan didn't care.

Her cousin had been waiting for her all along, and they would be married soon.

*

On their wedding night, Shen Yuan sat on the edge of the bed in her phoenix crown and bridal robes, when the door opened amid the silence.

Familiar footsteps drew closer, one step at a time.

Her red veil was suddenly lifted. In the flickering candlelight, she saw the face she'd spent three years loathing.

Outside the open door, her cousin was being forced to kneel in the corridor.

Her wedding night was ruined. Furious, Shen Yuan slapped Xiao Heng across the face. "You're crazy!"

Xiao Heng only smiled, pressing her palm against his reddened cheek. His eyes were dark and intent. "Shen Yuan, I'm the only one you can marry."

*

Xiao Heng: When A-Yuan slapped me, the first thing I noticed was her scent.

Visit the author's page to find it =3=

Theme: Grow through adversity.