He Regretted Our Divorce Too Late

Jiang Huaiyu is the cherished jewel of the Duke’s household, beloved and doted on by all. She is clever and graceful, with exquisite beauty.

She has never asked for much in life, except for one person.

Pei Rui, heir to the Marquis of Wenyang’s household, is aloof and self-possessed, accomplished in both letters and arms, and as bright and clear as the moon after rain. He is the most dazzling young talent in Chang’an.

From the first moment she saw Pei Rui as a girl, she fell for this handsome, refined young nobleman.

Jiang Huaiyu went to great lengths to obtain an imperial decree marrying her to him.

She thought that marrying him would make her life complete. She also thought that, in time, he would come to love her.

On every lonely, bitterly cold night after their wedding, she comforted herself with the thought that her husband was simply cold by nature. As long as she continued to love and respect him, surely one day he would change his mind.

But no matter what she did, she could never warm his heart.

Three years into their marriage, she had yet to receive his love and devotion. Instead, she heard that he intended to take a concubine.

Watching another woman grind ink for him in his study, watching him gaze at her with such deep affection, Jiang Huaiyu finally understood: he did not even want to keep up the charade of being husband and wife anymore.

On the day they divorced, Pei Rui saw clearly that the woman who had once had eyes only for him no longer had that light in her eyes.

She was the one who no longer wanted him.

-

After their divorce, they each went their separate ways.

Pei Rui finally realized his great ambitions and rose to the highest offices in the land.

The Grand Chancellor was alone, handsome, and of noble status. He was the dream husband of every young lady in the capital.

Now free, Jiang Huaiyu found herself surrounded by many admirers.

Young noblemen came up with every excuse to catch a glimpse of her. They practically wore out the doorstep, while princes and nobles lined up to propose at the Duke’s residence.

Then a calling card arrived, bearing the name “Pei Rui” in conspicuously bold letters.

Jiang Huaiyu slapped the card onto the table and said coldly, “I won’t see him.”

Before she had even finished speaking, a long, slender hand picked up the card. The man’s eyes were dark and shadowed as he pinned her in a corner.

“Would my lady accept this official’s calling card?”

“...Who is your lady?”

[Reading Guide]

* A melodramatic romance, not a wish-fulfillment story and not a female-power fantasy.

* The male lead is awful early on: an ascetic, emotionally indifferent man who can’t talk and doesn’t know how to behave.

* There will be scenes featuring the second and third male leads.

* Fictional setting with many original worldbuilding details. Please don’t scrutinize it for historical accuracy.

Please add my upcoming novel, A Substitute Bride’s Delicate Phoenix, to your reading list!

Blurb:

Ling Han has lived in the Ning household since childhood. She has an older sister who is doted on, and a mistress of the house who loves to make things difficult for her. Usually, she can only use what other people have left behind or no longer want. She doesn’t mind any of that. There is just one thing that truly belongs to her.

The young master of the neighboring Minister of Revenue’s household brings her delicious food and fun things every day. She only hopes that once she comes of age, she can marry him.

But fate has other plans. Her sister’s fiancé’s family suffers a sudden disaster. They fall into ruin overnight, and he is left gravely ill. Her sister cries for half a day, then hands the engagement over to Ling Han.

Looking at Qi Weishi’s brows and eyes, which bear a slight resemblance to those of the young master, and counting the generous dowry he brought, Ling Han takes on the responsibility of caring for him. She’ll wait until he recovers, then discuss a divorce with him.

-

Qi Weishi climbs steadily to the highest offices in the land, wielding immense power at court.

Everyone knows Qi Weishi as cold as a solitary moon, dark and unpredictable. Now that he holds such a high position, naturally he would no longer be interested in a frail, helpless orphan like her. He would eventually seek another marriage, and Ling Han hopes for the same.

But Ling Han diligently cares for Qi Weishi for a long time, plucking flower petals as she counts the days. Yet no matter what, he never seems to get better. Whenever she brings up divorce, he coughs up blood nonstop.

But when they share a bed at night, there’s no sign of him being a sickly man.

In the dim room, the man grips her waist tightly, his eyes filled with feverish desire. His hoarse voice falls by her ear. “I’m still not well, my lady, so please bear with me. Just a little longer.”

-

One year, the Minister of Revenue’s household is implicated in a criminal case, and the whole family is imprisoned.

Qi Weishi grips Ling Han by the chin and turns her face toward him, then gives a cold laugh.

“Didn’t you always want to marry into the Minister of Revenue’s household? Now I’m the Minister of Revenue, and you’re the Minister’s wife. Are you satisfied?”

Another year passes. Her sister, now married to someone else, arrives at the Chancellor’s residence with a pile of gifts. She smiles at Ling Han, seated in the place of honor.

“My sister is now the Chancellor’s wife. Since the Ning family took you in back then and found you such a wonderful husband, could you help your brother-in-law secure a promising future?”

(Cover art courtesy of Bishui.)

Theme: Aim high, and keep your feet on the ground.