Forced to Get All Lovey-Dovey with My Childhood Friend

Pei Heng, junior preceptor to the crown prince and a gifted scion of an aristocratic clan, was dazzlingly talented, yet aloof and proud, a flower on a high cliff no one could reach.

Lin Tingwan, the beloved young lady of the Duke's household, was sweet and soft, a little scatterbrained, and blessed with a ravishing beauty.

They grew up together, but their personalities were worlds apart. All of the capital agreed they were the least likely couple imaginable.

When the emperor, who loved writing romance stories, heard about it, he waved his brush and decreed their marriage: I insist on making this match!

Forced into marriage, they were strangers to each other. Pei Heng planned to talk about divorce once the emperor got tired of the novelty, but he kept receiving orders from above:

"You must consummate the marriage today, or you'll be charged with defying the imperial decree."

Pei Heng, bracing himself: "...All right."

Lin Tingwan: "Hmm?"

"The junior preceptor and his wife tour Mount Nan together, riding on one horse. The junior preceptor casually kisses his wife's cheek."

Pei Heng: "...I'll give it everything I've got."

Lin Tingwan, blushing to herself: He seems to have kissed me.

At a palace banquet, Lin Tingwan got into an argument with someone.

The emperor's orders reached Pei Heng at once:

"The junior preceptor must heroically save the beauty, hold his beloved wife in his arms, and declare, 'She is the only one I will ever love. How dare you lay a finger on her!'"

Pei Heng forced out the words with difficulty. Then he saw his little wife looking at him with teary, flushed cheeks.

The entire hall was stunned: Is this really the same Junior Preceptor Pei, that cold flower on a high cliff who never cared for anyone?

Later, Lin Tingwan accidentally discovered more than a dozen imperial edicts hidden in the house. Each listed a different task for them to do after marriage. Only then did she realize that every word Pei Heng had said and everything he'd done throughout their marriage had been at the emperor's behest.

He didn't love her at all, and had never intended to be a real married couple.

That night, Lin Tingwan looked at the man beside her and asked with reddened eyes, "Isn't His Majesty away at the summer palace? Why is there still a bedroom quota for us today?"

Pei Heng, kicked out of bed and forced to retreat, really wanted to explain.

There was no quota today. There hadn't been one for a long time.

He wanted her of his own accord.

But his little wife didn't believe him. She brought out the divorce papers she'd prepared: Since His Majesty isn't managing our marriage anymore, let's get divorced.

Pei Heng turned his face away. After a long silence, he finally said stiffly,

"If His Majesty won't manage it, I will."

[Blurb written on 2023/11/06 and screenshot saved]

Theme: Loving each other and finding lasting happiness