Grant Him His Just Rewards

A fussy, arrogant young nobleman × a clever, seemingly foolish beauty

"Married first, love later × fake romance turned real"

"Have you heard? The young lord of the Pei State Duke's household married Chang'an's unluckiest 'skin and bones' girl to bring him good fortune!"

--

Shen Zhiying is a strange girl who can never seem to gain weight. Born in the Great Tang, where a full figure is considered beautiful, this is undoubtedly a burden.

With her spindly arms and legs, she is known as "skin and bones." Nearly three years after coming of age, not a single matchmaker has come to propose for her. Instead, rumors about her have only grown, spreading through nearly all of Chang'an.

"That girl from Minister Shen's household? Don't get me started. You can tell at a glance she's unlucky. There's not a bit of flesh on her."

Shen Zhiying knows the matchmakers do not really mind that she is thin. They mind that the places where a girl ought to have curves are sadly empty.

Looking down at her unimpressive chest, she swears for the first time.

Just two words.

Unfortunately, someone hears her.

--

Xie Wangqing was born into a distinguished family. From childhood, he studied the sages and learned the principles of governing the realm. He was a household name as a child prodigy even before he began his education.

But during the spring imperial examinations, he got into a fight with another candidate and was disqualified.

After leaving the examination hall, he fell gravely ill and grew so thin he was little more than skin and bones. A supposed mystic came to the house and said that something unclean had latched onto Young Lord Xie. The only remedy was to bring a bride into the family to bring him good fortune.

The Duchess slapped her thigh in excitement and summoned more than a dozen matchmakers. They selected portraits of dozens of young women with the looks of great wealth and fortune, but the mystic took one look and shook his head.

"Madam, you must overcome hardness with softness. Ideally, find a girl who is as unlike an ordinary woman as possible."

The Duchess only half understood, but in the end she sent eighty-eight sedan loads of betrothal gifts to the Shen family.

She specifically requested the hand of the Shen family's young lady, "whose face is peerless, but whose figure is exceptionally unlucky."

Shen Zhiying: "..." Thank you for complimenting my looks.

A few things to know:

1. One-on-one romance, both leads inexperienced in love, with a focus on everyday life.

2. The male lead is completely won over from beginning to end, utterly smitten with the female lead.

3. The story focuses on the romance. The behind-the-scenes plot does not affect its direction.

Theme: Be brave enough to be yourself, because that is when you are most beautiful.