Marrying Into the Eastern Palace for a Second Time

Everyone knows that Cui Wenxi, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo’s household, is both beautiful and talented. Gentle, dignified, and virtuous, she is the model for all the noblewomen in the capital. When Cui came of age, Prince Qing, Zhao Chengyan, sought her hand, swearing that he would love only her for the rest of his life. He won her heart. Yet after seven years of marriage, though the couple loved each other, Cui still had no children. Prince Qing arranged to have a child by another woman. He brought her back from outside and tried to keep the child while sending the mother away, so Cui could retain her dignity. Who would have guessed that Cui would voluntarily step aside, preserve both their dignity, and ask for a divorce? Prince Qing went mad. For seven years, Cui Wenxi diligently managed the household, always conducting herself with such propriety and composure that no one could find fault with her. Her greatest sin was having no children after seven years. She was a proud daughter of heaven, born to the highest branches. She would rather break than bend, and had never known how to compromise for the sake of others. As her divorce from Prince Qing caused an uproar throughout the capital, Cui Wenxi unexpectedly discovered the young Crown Prince secretly coveting her from a corner. This life is so damn melodramatic and thrilling! The Male Lead: Crown Prince Zhao Yue studied under Chen Ping, a renowned scholar of the age. He was famous for his self-restraint and adherence to propriety, a refined gentleman through and through. Everyone said the Crown Prince was a flawless piece of white jade, and that Cui Wenxi was the one and only stain on his life. He remembered every expression and smile, every like and dislike of hers. He regarded her as a bright, beautiful moon and had yearned for her for years. When Prince Qing finally broke Cui’s spirit and her marriage fell apart, he knew his chance to steal her away had come. If he couldn’t take her by force, he would win her over by guile. A Little Scene: At a family banquet hosted by the Grand Princess, Cui Wenxi accidentally drinks an aphrodisiac wine and is lured to the Fengyi Pavilion. Crown Prince Zhao Yue notices something is wrong and goes to investigate, only to run into Prince Qing, who has come to catch them in the act. Cui Wenxi is alarmed. She absolutely cannot fall into Prince Qing’s hands. Zhao Yue is on edge. He absolutely cannot let Prince Qing find out! They each hide in the rock garden, then unexpectedly come face to face. Cui Wenxi (looking awkward): "Oh, what a coincidence." Zhao Yue (expressionless): "Indeed." Hearing footsteps draw near, they hurriedly squeeze into a gap between the rocks. They both look away, not daring to meet each other’s eyes. Cui Wenxi (holding back a dramatic scream): This is it, I’ll never be able to clear my name! Zhao Yue (ears turning red): Then don’t. Important Content Warnings: Ridiculous amounts of melodrama + challenges to feudal propriety + a scheming, jealous, spoiled little prince of a male lead + female lead is not the male lead’s first + the woman is six years older than the man!! This novel tells the story of Cui Wenxi’s bold second marriage. The entire court is up in arms, harshly criticizing her for being inhumane and banning officials from taking concubines. Inspired by Dugu Jialuo, history’s most badass empress, the woman who made the emperor so angry he stormed out of the palace. [An 18-year-old sanctimonious, calculating, scheming Crown Prince x a 24-year-old clear-eyed noblewoman of the imperial family] Theme: Women should be strong and self-reliant.