Marked by the Chief Minister

As an outstanding Kun Lord with both beauty and martial skill, Song Ningchu had always wanted a healthy, adorable baby with stunning looks and extraordinary intelligence.

But most of the Qian Lords in Yusang were terrible. As a Kun Lord treasured by the whole nation, he didn't want to waste his precious qualities or settle for someone just to have a child.

One night, on a whim, Song Ningchu visited the Guanyin temple for childbearing and bowed three times before the statue.

When he awoke, he had become the legal wife of Shen Yan, the chief minister of Yusang.

Shen Yan was a powerful minister who held all of Yusang in his grasp, second only to the emperor and above countless others. He was noble and self-possessed, peerlessly handsome, beloved by the officials and relied upon by the emperor.

For over twenty years, the chief minister had worked tirelessly for Yusang. He was cold and indifferent when it came to love, and had never taken a liking to anyone. His aloof, low-key manner left everyone else hopelessly out of reach.

He was the moon in the sky, revered by countless young men and women throughout Yusang: something to gaze at, but never to pluck.

Even Shen Yan himself believed that, apart from devoting himself to his work, nothing in this life could ever move him.

Until the emperor arranged a marriage for him: to the Seventh Prince of Yusang.

The marriage came suddenly and without warning. All he could do was welcome his new spouse into the manor with ten miles of red wedding decorations.

Song Ningchu was lively and beautiful, but as the crown prince's younger brother, his identity made Shen Yan wary.

Yet Song Ningchu refused to behave as expected, and one unexpected incident after another unfolded after their wedding...

As a hidden top-tier Qian Lord, Shen Yan found that, with every encounter with Song Ningchu, the possessive desire to conquer that lay dormant in his blood began to break loose.

After several unexpected incidents, he pinned Song Ningchu down, his gaze deep and dark. He lowered his head and bit the scent-marking gland at his collarbone, leaving a mark.

Original blurb. Screenshots have been saved as proof.

2023/7/14

Reader's guide:

Lighthearted, sweet romance in an ancient ABO world.

Lots of personal worldbuilding. Pregnancy story.

Expanded from a short story. Complete and now available in the monthly subscription library!

Theme: Face every day with a smile, and miracles will come