The Men She Climbed the Social Ladder with Are Fighting

Paper Tiger, Fake Flirtatious Beauty X Smiling Tiger, Truly Scheming Heir

The Duke of State's household had a young concubine-born daughter with breathtaking beauty. Born to the duke's beloved concubine, she lived more lavishly than even the legitimate eldest daughter.

But if she had a choice, Qin Shiran would never have wanted such a high-profile life. As a mere concubine-born daughter, she would have been lucky just to live a cautious, peaceful life. Unfortunately, her ambitious mother insisted on pushing her to climb the social ladder and stand out.

Qin Shiran had once resigned herself to her fate, ready to spend her life obeying her mother's every whim. Then a young boy suddenly entered her world, as refreshing and gentle as a clear breeze beneath a bright sky. He told her softly, "Rather than longing for fish by the water, go home and weave a net."

His words instantly opened Qin Shiran's eyes. From then on, she embarked on a path of using her beauty to reel in men left and right, casting her net far and wide.

Years later, Miss Qin ran into that same boy again. He had grown into an elegant, graceful young gentleman, and she failed to recognize him. She almost added him to her own pond of fish, too.

Fortunately, once Qin Shiran learned the truth, she came to her senses. Miss Qin, who cared most about looks, not only dared not entertain the slightest "improper thought" about him, but also treated him with extraordinary respect. She excitedly showed her esteemed mentor the pond she had spent all these years building.

Heir Xie was stunned. Heir Xie reflected. Heir Xie began to doubt himself.

The usually cool and composed Heir Xie nearly lost his composure. He had never imagined that the woman he had personally chosen as his future wife would take his one little remark so far off course.

But it was all right. He had plenty of time to teach her, little by little.

So instead of praising her for her impressive achievements, Qin Shiran's esteemed mentor forced her to release all the fish she had raised and blew up her pond. With tears in her eyes, Qin Shiran accused him of his misdeeds. "That's not what you said back then! Liar! I even thought of you as my mentor, and now I'm never calling you that again."

Heir Xie smiled tenderly and drew her back into his arms. "That's right. From now on, you should call me your husband."

This novel is also known as A Heart Set on You

Coming soon: Stained Through and Through

A selfish, grasping, unscrupulous beauty X A prideful prince who must grovel to win his wife back

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Blurb

Xue Yi admits that she is selfish, vain, and grasping, willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants.

She is determined to climb higher, step by step, and make everyone who once looked down on her or bullied her pay the price.

She pushed the Wang family's daughter into the water, framed the Li family's daughter for adultery, and stole her elder sister's credit for saving someone's life. She has done every kind of bad deed, but she has no regrets. As long as it's for survival, she is willing to use any means necessary.

The only thing she regrets is failing to see Qin Luochuan's true nature back then. She thought he was just a foolish, lowborn man who would be easy to manipulate. After using him, she casually discarded him and turned around to marry into a powerful family far above her station.

She thought she had finally made it, finally escaped the darkness of her past.

On her wedding night, Xue Yi stifled her excitement and sat demurely on the grand red wedding bed.

The silk beneath her hands was smooth and fine. The imperial plaque hanging overhead during the wedding ceremony was extravagantly luxurious. Both had once been the stuff of other people's mockery, but now they proclaimed how much her status had changed.

She had finally succeeded!

Even if it was all an act, she would play the virtuous wife and loving mother from now on, secure her position as mistress of the household, and never let anyone drag her back into the mud.

But just as Xue Yi was savoring the prospect of her glorious future, the door creaked open. The newcomer strode in without courtesy and, before Xue Yi could put on a demure, bashful expression, yanked off her red bridal veil. His movements were anything but gentle.

When she looked up and saw his face, Xue Yi's gentle smile froze at once.

How could it be... Qin Luochuan?

"You look surprised that I'm Prince Huai'an?"

Qin Luochuan sneered inwardly and spoke mockingly. He had expected her stunned expression.

He had been clever all his life, yet somehow a woman had played him for a fool.

Too bad for her. Now that he had seen Xue Yi for who she truly was, he would never let her get her way. The dignified, refined mistress of a powerful household she wanted to become was utterly ill-suited to her.

On their wedding night, Xue Yi raised a hand to wipe away the tears about to fall from the corners of her eyes.

Qin Luochuan showed her no mercy at all. His treatment of her was downright cruel.

It seemed he had married her solely to take revenge.

At last, Xue Yi's low, hoarse laughter rang through the hall, tinged with a bitterness no one could know.

Whatever happened, she was now a princess consort.

Even if things had not gone as she imagined, she had still managed to get what she wanted.

Theme: Rather than longing for fish by the water, go home and weave a net.