Jiang Lingwei was born into a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan, but both her parents died. Her uncles want to seize her inheritance by marrying her off, so she has no choice but to head north and seek refuge with relatives to escape their plot.
Back in the day, Marquis Qi had arranged a marriage between the Qi and Jiang families. So when Jiang Lingwei comes to their door carrying the token of their betrothal, the Qi heir, who is of marriageable age, is reluctantly pushed forward.
Jiang Lingwei doesn't make things difficult for him. She proposes that they marry in name only, then divorce six months later.
Qi Chengxiu stands in the pavilion, elegant in his jade-colored robe as he paints. Without looking up, he asks, "Why should I help you?"
"Two reasons. First, we have a marriage contract. If the Qi family goes back on it, I can take the matter to the authorities. Second, I'm helping you, too."
"Oh? Do tell, Miss Jiang. What can a mere merchant's daughter do for me?"
Jiang Lingwei grips her sleeve, her expression unchanged. "Young Master Qi, your prominence has made others suspicious of you. Don't you need a humble marriage to keep them off your trail?"
Qi Chengxiu stops painting and gives a faint smile.
.
At first, Qi Chengxiu looks down on a woman so calculating. Later, he realizes she isn't entirely like that.
She's clever and bold, using his influence to reclaim her family's fortune. Beneath her gentle exterior, she has a spirited, heroic air rarely found in other women.
As the six-month deadline approaches, Qi Chengxiu finds himself reluctant to let her go. Just as he's about to bring it up, he overhears Jiang Lingwei say to someone one day:
"What's there to be reluctant about? Young Master Qi seems like a perfect gentleman, but living with someone like him would be so dull. Why should I hang myself from one crooked tree?"
Oh...
The "crooked tree" falls silent for a moment, then decides he's not going to divorce her after all.
(A cold, aloof man who later becomes a shameless, no-principles, hopeless romantic VS a cool beauty who thinks men will only slow down her money-making)
#MarriageFirstLoveLater#
#Face-SlappingAndEatingCrow#
#TheUntouchableBeautyPursuesHisWifeAfterMarriage#
#TheEvolutionOfAnAristocraticSimp#
"Reader's Guide"
1. One couple, both inexperienced in love.
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Synopsis registered with a screenshot (2023.08.10)
Theme: Break the outdated hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Business is not degrading, and a merchant's daughter can be a heroine, too.
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