Protecting My Sister-in-Law

In a troubled age, the realm was battered by wind and rain. To keep the family prosperous, the Zheng family arranged a marriage with the Duke of Qi's household, sending their legitimate daughter to bring good fortune to the heir.

The two families lived far apart, and the heir was too frail to endure the journey. So his younger brother, Jiang Mingji, came in his place to escort the bride.

On the day of her wedding, Xi Wan walked with her head bowed, silent and withdrawn. She missed a step and nearly fell, but someone beside her caught her.

She looked up in a daze and saw a handsome, gentle face smiling at her with concern. "Sister-in-law, be careful."

In the dynasty's final years, bandits ran rampant. The wedding procession was ambushed on the road, overturning carriages and throwing people into disarray. Xi Wan was also knocked to the ground.

Amid the chaos, someone shielded her protectively. Blood soaked her wedding gown. Jiang Mingji had taken an arrow meant for her.

Meeting Xi Wan's frightened, tear-filled gaze, he smiled reassuringly. "Miss Zheng, don't be afraid."

With him protecting her all the way, Xi Wan safely reached the heir's home and went through the wedding ceremony with him.

But the heir suffered from a hidden illness and had a solitary disposition. The slightest disagreement was enough to make him curse and beat her, tormenting Xi Wan until she wished she were dead.

One day, Jiang Jiming happened to witness it. Furious, he stopped a servant's whip and demanded, "How can you mistreat your sister-in-law, Big Brother?"

The heir sneered. "She's my wife. Whether she lives or dies is up to me."

Despairing, Xi Wan covered her face and wept as she left. She tried to take her own life, but Jiang Jiming saved her and comforted her, saying there was still a future ahead of her, and that if all else failed, she could seek a divorce.

She shook her head, choking back sobs. "This marriage was arranged both to bring good fortune to your elder brother and to unite our families. I can't change it on my own. Unless I die, I'll never be free..."

Jiang Jiming gently wiped away her tears. "There will be a way. Trust me, Miss Xi Wan."

At that time, the realm was in turmoil, with war breaking out everywhere. The Duke of Qi's second son led troops to suppress a rebellion and rendered meritorious service to the emperor. He asked for no reward, only a decree granting his sister-in-law a divorce.

When the news arrived, Xi Wan was shaken and sat speechless.

The heir was enraged when he heard. He raised his hand to slap Xi Wan, but Jiang Jiming stopped him without hesitation. His voice was cold. "She is no longer your wife, Big Brother. You have no right to humiliate her!"

Looking at the tall figure standing in front of her, Xi Wan felt her heart stir.

After the divorce, Jiang Jiming escorted Xi Wan on the journey back to her parents' home.

They encountered rebel forces on the way. This time, Xi Wan took an arrow for Jiang Jiming. Her face pale, she looked at him, his face drained of color, and managed a faint smile. "At least... now I've repaid you for one kindness..."

After returning to her parents' home, Xi Wan lived a quiet, frugal life for a while.

Although she was the legitimate daughter, she came from a collateral branch and had never been favored. The story of Jiang Jiming obtaining a divorce decree for her had also caused quite a stir, so she kept to herself and rarely went out.

Then one day, lively drums and gongs sounded outside. Her maid hurried in, overjoyed, to tell her that the Marquis of Dingjun had come to ask for her hand in marriage.

Xi Wan was bewildered. Who was the Marquis of Dingjun?

A bright, elegant young lord stepped through the door.

His face was as handsome as jade. Just as when they first met, he smiled and called her, "Wanwan."

*Both leads are each other's first and only love. A gentle gentleman x a delicate young woman, protecting you from harm amid the chaos of war.

Theme: You will always find someone who loves you.