Married Off as a Substitute, I Became the Prince's Money-Making Machine

[Domestic Intrigue] [Sweet and Satisfying] [Mutual Devotion] [Power Couple] [SC] [One-on-One]

Originally titled "In an Age of Prosperity, Who Needs a Hooked Spear?" Launching January 2027

Of the four classes, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants rank last. They are treated like the lowborn, barred from the imperial examinations and public office. No matter how vast their fortunes, they are still trampled underfoot.

"Which family in the capital?"

"The Prince of Yan's household."

"Does he have a title?"

"He has an elder brother, and a younger half-brother born to the principal wife." He is neither the eldest nor the most favored, so of course he cannot inherit the title.

"And what about him?"

"He placed third in last year's palace examination and currently serves as a Hanlin Academy editor."

A concubine-born son, brilliant and learned, with a minor official post and a frail, sickly constitution... Perfect! I'll marry him! He can be the stepping-stone I use to change my fate in this powerful household.

The road from Jiangnan to the capital is long, and the prince's residence is vast and imposing. I may never be able to return... That suits me perfectly!

No principal mother-in-law to impose rules on me. My husband isn't in line to inherit, so I won't have to fight anyone for a title. And with an official's family at the emperor's feet, my mother can hold her head high at home and never fear being bullied again!

He was very pleased with this marriage. Even if his husband wasn't pleased with him, they had a marriage contract, so surely he couldn't simply throw him out. What if he only visited once every ten or fifteen days? Even better! He could focus on keeping accounts and opening shops. Just don't get in the way of his money-making!

"Young Master, I don't think the Third Master looks at you quite normally. Could it be that he misses you after all this time apart?"

Xi Jia: "Hmph! Miss me? He misses my money!"

Yan Fuchen's mother died young. He was born into a lowly family, had a wayward temperament, and spent three days ill for every two days on his feet. From the moment he was born, he couldn't stand to see anyone doing well.

His principal mother had many schemes, so she found him a merchant family to marry into.

A cracked drum has nothing to fear from a beating. The man had better be clever and stay out of his way.

But later on, he thought: If only he would get in his way a little more. That would be ideal.

"Jiajia, those tricks of yours... could you teach me some?"

A prosperous, wealthy beauty who brings good fortune x a scheming powerhouse who knows how to live off his husband

P.S.

1. Marriage first, love later; substitute marriage; a conventional male-male romance where men can marry men; no children.

2. The gong is a wolf in sheep's clothing, falls in love first, and loves intensely.

3. The shou is clever and rich, rich, rich.

4. He isn't actually living off his husband!

[Synopsis screenshotted on 2026.1.25]

A writing exercise, just for fun. Readers with extreme preferences, please stay away.

There are also completed novels in my profile, ready to read. Weibo: [@Jinjiang_SleepyAndNotUpdating]. Come visit!

Theme: Only love can break the schemes and plots of this world.