The Madam Takes Advantage of Her Tiger

A Shi was beautiful, and she and her mother made a living in the capital.

An orphaned girl and her widowed mother were often bullied by the local rich young men. With nowhere to turn, A Shi made a bold decision: when you're out in the world, you get to choose your own identity!

And so she became the beloved of the terrifying leader of the Jinyiwei at the Northern Garrison Office!

It was an impressive identity, and one that could scare people into submission.

Even A Shi never expected that this identity would be useful enough to earn her money!

*

A refined young gentleman moved into the neighboring courtyard. They said he was a scholar who'd come to the capital to take the imperial examinations, though somehow he'd ended up with a lame leg.

A Shi often saw fierce-looking men dressed in black going to his courtyard to "bully" him.

One day, A Shi said to the gentleman next door in a righteous whisper, "If those people come to bother you again, tell them you're my sworn brother. I've got connections!"

The gentleman next door: "...Thank you for your kind offer."

A Shi asked, "Have you heard of that great demon in the Northern Garrison Office? They say he drinks blood and is murderous and brutal..."

The gentleman next door: "...I've heard a thing or two."

A Shi: "I'm his beloved!"

*

One morning, a group of richly dressed people stormed into her home, looking vicious. Sensing trouble, A Shi hurriedly climbed over the wall into the neighboring courtyard and told the gentleman, "I've gotten into trouble. The Gu family came looking for me. I won't be able to use the great demon's name anymore."

Just then, the servants came looking for her in a rage. But the moment they saw the gentleman next door, their faces filled with fear, and they all dropped to their knees. "Please forgive us, Young Master!"

A Shi, perched on the wall: "...!?"

Gu Yuchen set up a wooden ladder against the wall and spoke to A Shi with a gentle gaze. "If you wish, you can use that identity for the rest of your life."

Reader's Guide:

A little story about borrowing a tiger's might to bluff;

Sweet romance; happy ending;

A dark, cunning big shot with a leg disability x a sweet beauty who's slow on the uptake;

The male lead's leg will heal;

Theme: Love inspires people to become better