Marry Up

The emperor's most beloved Third Princess took a liking to Tan Yizhi, the Second Young Master of the Prime Minister's residence, whose beauty was said to rival a jade mountain.

The Third Princess was the apple of her imperial parents' eyes, spoiled and pampered into a haughty, overbearing temperament. Her older brother was the Fourth Prince, while the Prime Minister's household supported the Crown Prince.

Before the emperor could issue an edict arranging the marriage, the Prime Minister's residence remembered Jiang Baoli, who had been betrothed to Tan Yizhi as a child.

Jiang Baoli and Tan Yizhi were worlds apart. She was a commoner, and could marry him only because her father had once saved the Prime Minister.

Before Jiang Baoli could make sense of what was happening, she was carried into the Prime Minister's residence in a grand bridal sedan, becoming the young madam envied by all the noble young ladies of the capital.

Tan Yizhi was aloof and proud. He looked down on Jiang Baoli, and he looked down on the Third Princess too.

Jiang Baoli knew nothing of poetry or strategy games, and was no good at music, calligraphy, or painting. She could not compose poems or paint with him, nor could they make music together in perfect harmony. All she could do was sit quietly beside Tan Yizhi at night while he handled official business, and sew clothes for him.

Her attentive care made people outside the household mock her, saying Jiang Baoli was no wife, but a servant.

*

Everyone in the capital thought Tan Yizhi and the gentle, well-mannered legitimate daughter of the Marquis' residence were made for each other. Then Tan Yizhi married a woman who could not read or write.

At first, Tan Yizhi looked down on Jiang Baoli. At least she was obedient enough not to cause him trouble, and her bright, sparkling eyes were always fixed on him.

Tan Yizhi began to regret the disdainful things he had said to her. He carried the little sachet she had embroidered with him, and occasionally mentioned “my wife” in front of his friends.

Then, one day, they were ambushed.

Tan Yizhi and Jiang Baoli fell off a cliff together. He was badly injured, but Jiang Baoli ran off and left him behind.

Tan Yizhi watched her run away with his own eyes, only realizing too late that Jiang Baoli seemed to have been spending a lot of time with the Third Princess...

*

Before entering the Prime Minister's residence, Jiang Baoli's mother had fallen seriously ill. The Third Princess saved her mother's life.

In return, the Third Princess wanted Jiang Baoli to take revenge on Tan Yizhi for making her the laughingstock of the capital.

After the deed was done, Jiang Baoli took her mother and fled far away. She found herself a good husband, but on her wedding day, a large force of soldiers blocked her way.

Jiang Baoli stepped down from the bridal sedan and saw a young man in black robes and a golden crown. She pleaded with him in fear, “Please, let's divorce.”

Tan Yizhi gave a cold laugh and gripped Jiang Baoli's slender neck with his long fingers. “I won't divorce you. The only way out is for me to become a widower.”

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Theme: Equality