I Have No Choice but to Marry

[Show-Off-My-Wife, Clingy Puppy Top x Steady Paragon of Virtue Bottom]

An imperial decree of marriage binds together a rigid minister who strictly follows the rules of propriety and a mischievous prince who is always causing trouble and impossible to teach.

When Wen Qingxian first heard the news, he was astonished. He accepted the decree and had just returned to his residence when he was told that the unruly prince had lost a horse race, refused to admit defeat, and beaten someone up. He hurried off to the palace.

Teng Jinghuai was having fun with his rowdy friends when he learned that the emperor had arranged a marriage for him. Anger surged through him. After losing the race, he beat someone up and ignored his friends' teasing, saying only, "He would never marry that person."

He had been about to ask the emperor to revoke the marriage when he happened to learn that his intended was Wen Qingxian, a minister at court. His steps quickened.

"Has the imperial edict been drafted? When will it be issued?" Teng Jinghuai asked, pretending to be casual.

The emperor: "?" He wasn't angry?

Once the decree was issued, Teng Jinghuai eagerly moved outside the palace and waited for his future husband to visit. But apart from going to court on time every day, Wen Qingxian stayed in his residence and never went out.

Knowing that Wen Qingxian was a stiff traditionalist who followed the rules, Teng Jinghuai went back to drinking, admiring flowers, racing horses, and watching plays. He caused trouble every time, always making sure Wen Qingxian's name got dragged into it.

His rowdy friends: "That's clearly revenge!"

On top of handling his daily official duties, Wen Qingxian now had another task: cleaning up the messes left by his betrothed.

Later, when Wen Qingxian went out alone on official business, Teng Jinghuai secretly followed him. Whenever he saw someone trying to approach Wen Qingxian, he would rush over. If he could hit them, he would, and if he couldn't, he'd use his words.

Teng Jinghuai: "Qingxian and I are a match made by His Majesty. Don't try to come between us."

Wen Qingxian: "You don't have to announce it everywhere..."

The people who came to deliver official documents to Wen Qingxian looked at the unruly prince in confusion.

Wen Qingxian went out on business with his colleagues, who took him to a lively pleasure quarter. Before the bevy of admirers could swarm him, and before Teng Jinghuai could rush out, Wen Qingxian said, "Please behave with dignity. I am already betrothed."

Teng Jinghuai, hiding nearby, was thoroughly satisfied!

My future husband really does love me best!

Blurb archived

Theme: The power of setting a good example