I'm filling in the gaps; updates return in April. How did the aloof governor end up bringing a pretty widow home?
An aloof governor who is actually stubborn, blushing and flustered whenever she's the one flirting with him VS a gorgeous, charming widow who captivates everyone but is ruthless at heart
A strange murder recently took place in Wangzhou City. Zhao Qijing, Wangzhou's richest merchant, was found dead in his home in a gruesome state. There were no suspicious clues at the scene, the case was baffling, and the killer had yet to be found.
By coincidence, Xie Shu, an imperial governor, arrived in Wangzhou and joined the local authorities in investigating the case.
It was said that Xie Shu was a shrewd and decisive investigator with an eye for detail, who had handled countless cases. Yet he found himself at a loss when faced with this one:
The old madam of the Zhao family, who devoted herself to prayer and kept out of worldly affairs; the servants, whose behavior was strange; and Shen Yinghuan, the beautiful and alluring wife of Zhao Qijing...
Xie Shu's attention settled on Shen Yinghuan, the widow, and lingered there...
"My lord, why do you keep staring at me?"
-
Everyone said Xie Shu was aloof and distinguished, exceptionally handsome and imposing, with a pair of dark eyes like an icy abyss that seemed able to see right through people.
Xie Shu was a capable investigator who always handled cases impartially and served the court faithfully, never showing favoritism. As a result, he was highly valued by the emperor, who sent him to inspect the various regions.
Yet ever since he arrived in Wangzhou, everything had changed.
The death of Zhao Qijing remained unsolved, so he began focusing on Shen Yinghuan.
She was stunning, with long, flowing black hair. Her eyes curved into crescents when she smiled, and every gesture captivated the heart. Her every laugh and word was bewitching, impossible to forget.
Her husband had died, yet she was beaming every day!
At first, he despised her. Later, his gaze settled on her and would not move.
He was an impartial man by nature. He personally put her in chains, then opened her cell in the middle of the night and removed her shackles with his own hands, carried her into his carriage, and changed her clothes for her.
The carriage rocked and jolted as it rolled out of Wangzhou City.
"She didn't deliberately seduce me. I was the one who fell first."
Little scene:
One night, a drunk man knocked on Shen Yinghuan's door, thinking that because she was a widow, he could harass her.
But Xie Shu was the one who opened the door. Dressed in white, he looked cool and dignified, his expression deeply displeased.
His gaze was dark as he said in a low voice, "She's gone to bed. If you have any business, come to me."
From then on, no one dared to show Shen Yinghuan disrespect.
Reader's guide:
Happy ending. The heroine has no prior sexual experience; the hero does.
The heroine killed the victim, but he deserved to die, and the hero lets her go.
A short, sweet story that opens with a case, but it is not a mystery!!! It is not a mystery!!!
Fictional setting. No need to overthink the details.
Blurb screenshot dated March 17, 2025
Theme: Be true to love
