The Crown Prince is my own brother. The court's most powerful general is my henpecked brother-in-law. My father is still alive, and my mother is the empress. How dare anyone look down on me?!
So you're Wang Shu, huh? The Taiyuan Wang clan thinks it's so powerful? Go ask around in Jiankang and find out who's really in charge! I swear on the honor of Princess Jin'an: you're finished!
Ma Wencai is the son my sister's best friend had with the Governor of Hangzhou. He's handsome, rich, and powerful, a second-generation heir. If I'd met him a few years earlier, I really would have wanted him as my consort.
But he says his father sold him to a wealthy family next door, and now he's running away from his arranged marriage, planning to hide at Chongqi Academy for three years!
Running away from an arranged marriage again!? Ptooey! Scumbag!
Chongqi Academy? Isn't that where my sister and brother-in-law met, got to know each other, and fell in love?
I haven't met anyone more arrogant than me in years. Wang Lantian of the Taiyuan Wang clan? Fine. I'll remember you!
The Taiyuan Wang clan really is full of no-good scoundrels!
My name is Wang Shu. My father is the Marquis of Lantian, and I'll inherit his title one day. Then people will call me Wang Lantian!
With my distinguished family, wealth, handsome looks, and irresistible charm, of course the royal family would take a liking to me and choose me as a consort.
But why Princess Jin'an!?
Come on. Jin'an set fire to the imperial study at three, drew her sword and tried to chop up her tutor at five, and was galloping through the streets causing trouble by ten. Every noble young man in Jiankang goes out of his way to avoid her!
A consort is just a princess's kept man!
General Huan is so powerful, but after marrying Princess Nanling, he got such a reputation for being henpecked that even the northern barbarians heard about it. He's been married for over a decade and hasn't dared take a concubine!
Ugh, what a disgrace to all men!
I have no idea what got into my father. When the emperor issued the order for my marriage, why didn't he cry and refuse to obey? I'm his only son!
My ultimate goal is wealth, glory, a beautiful wife, and concubines! Is marrying a she-devil supposed to kill me!?
Chongqi Academy is a great place. I can use my studies to get out of the marriage, and it's far from Taiyuan.
Wow, there's a beautiful girl in men's clothes among my classmates! And there's more than one!?
Hey, beautiful, want to go out?
Red gates belong with red gates, bamboo gates with bamboo gates.
The elderly Liang Shanbo strokes the stone lion at the entrance to his home and smiles at his great-grandson, who is about to marry a princess in a royal alliance. "Back in our day, how could we ever have dreamed of marrying noblewomen from the great houses?"
Lord Liang of Kuaiji, enfeoffed as a marquis for his service in reclaiming the northern territories, is a veteran statesman of three Jin dynasties. His students and old friends are spread throughout the land, and even a random one of his former classmates would be famous in the history books.
His great-grandson gazes at his venerable ancestor with respect and admiration. "Great-grandfather, the emperor said he'll come visit you next month." A centenarian like his ancestor is a living auspicious omen.
"But next month is the birthday of Grand Princess Jin'an." Though old, Liang Shanbo's mind is still sharp. Each year, there are only a few special occasions when he can see the person he wants to see. "If I don't go wish her a happy birthday, who knows how she'll torment these old bones of mine?"
"That's right. You, General Ma, Madam Ma, the old Lord Lantian, and Grand Princess Jin'an have all been friends for decades." His great-grandson lowers his eyes to hide his grief. "The Grand Princess's residence sent an invitation saying there won't be a birthday celebration this year."
"Which old friend has passed away this time?" Liang Shanbo laughs with the abandon of old age.
Ma Wencai or Wang Lantian, both were heavenly talents, both were dragons among men. He lost to them for most of his life, yet he lived longer than either of them!
"Madam Ma has passed away. The Grand Princess is overcome with grief... Great-grandfather! Great-grandfather!"
At the Guanyin Temple fair that year, he said, "From now on, I wouldn't dare look at Guanyin!"
Maybe they never had a future from the very beginning.
Content warnings and clarifications:
A fusion of the 1994 and 2007 versions of The Butterfly Lovers. The main pairing is Wang Lantian.
The Butterfly Lovers pairing is changed. The secondary pairing is Ma Wencai x Zhu Yingtai.
The tragedy of The Butterfly Lovers isn't Ma Wencai's fault. As the 1994 version says, the blame lies with the era they were born into. Yingtai dies for freedom.
The heroine is a noblewoman born and raised in this world. Her older sister is a transmigrator. Any historical inaccuracies are explained as the butterfly effect. If you argue with me, you're right.
The story of The Butterfly Lovers is itself pieced together from all kinds of sources, and this story also draws on various historical figures. Don't treat it as historical fact. (In short, don't think too hard; just enjoy the wish fulfillment.)
Theme: Wang Lantian pairing, changes The Butterfly Lovers pairing, secondary couple Ma Wencai x Zhu Yingtai
Therefore, Nanling, Madam Shanchang, Madam Zhu, and Xie Daoyun are the sisters of the previous generation who disguised themselves as men and had grievances and grievances.