My Ex-Husband Must Have His Merits

[Completed]

To repay the kindness of the family that raised her, Li Heng takes the place of the real daughter and marries into the precarious Marquis of Wu'an's household. A proud daughter of Heaven falls into the mud.

The Marquis of Wu'an's family has few men. Her mother-in-law is mean, her sisters-in-law are picky, and her eldest sister-in-law, whose husband is dead, is a bitter widow. They have no family fortune but endless troubles. It's hard to be part of a poor household.

Zhao Yu, the Marquis of Wu'an, spends years fighting far from home. He's abstinent, stiff, and clueless about romance, and terribly dull. But he's exceptionally handsome, devoted, and blessed with a very strong waist.

Li Heng grits her teeth and puts up with this life.

After three years of war, Zhao Yu returns in triumph, bringing back a stunning beauty and a two-year-old boy in his arms.

"Wait, do you really think I'm someone you can bully?"

*

Zhao Yu has always been mature beyond his years and confident of victory in everything he does.

After restoring the glory of the Marquis of Wu'an's ancestors, he has no intention of replacing his wife.

Though Li Heng is a false heiress, she is virtuous, gentle, and knows her place. She is also wholeheartedly devoted to him. They were properly married, and ought to grow old together.

But the very next day, the wife who had been so tender toward him the night before leaves without a word and has someone deliver a divorce agreement.

When Zhao Yu goes to her home to win her back, he finds Li Heng sitting in a pavilion, slightly flushed from wine, listening to a male courtesan lament his tragic past.

At the saddest part, she takes his hand. "Poor thing, don't cry. Big Sister will buy your freedom."

*

[Little Scene 1]

On Li Heng's birthday, her friend arranges for the star performer from the capital's Xianggu House to perform a sword dance.

Zhao Yu walks onto the stage with a sword in hand.

Li Heng, halfway through her wine, looks at him tipsily. "Hey? What are you doing here?"

Zhao Yu grits his teeth. "I'm here to entertain you."

[Little Scene 2]

Late at night, Zhao Yu comes over again. He's lost count of how many times.

Li Heng lounges against the armrest. "A broken mirror can't be made whole again. I'm going to find another husband."

Zhao Yu's eyes redden. His clothes slip down, revealing a little dog bell tied around the neck of this abstinent, stiff man.

Li Heng swallows. Maybe a broken mirror isn't quite so... impossible to put back together...

Reading Guide:

1. An alternate-history setting, very alternate. Don't scrutinize the details.

2. The male and female leads are each other's only partners, there is no replacing the male lead, and they fall in love after marrying. A broken relationship is mended.

3. Domestic family drama with some eccentric supporting characters. The male lead is dense and an absolute straight man early on. The romance is a slow burn, without an intense revenge-and-redemption arc. The political scheming is like playing house. Please note these points before reading.

4. Supporting characters have their own scenes, so it's somewhat of an ensemble cast.

Coming soon: My Uncle Is Exceptionally Talented

Li Hua, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changning, is beautiful, pampered but not spoiled, kind to others, and much admired in the capital.

Zhao Xiao, the legitimate son of the Marquis of Liangdu, has been a hell-raiser since childhood. When he was ten, their tutor struck his palm and praised Li Hua for reporting him. So Zhao Xiao tricked Li Hua into believing the tutor had an incurable disease.

Li Hua believed him and ran to the tutor's home to sob and offer comfort, making a huge fool of herself.

From then on, the refined and proper Li Hua and Zhao Xiao became sworn enemies.

On the day Li Hua got married, Zhao Xiao rode three horses to death getting back from the border, just so he could lean against the doorframe and sneer, "Your taste is terrible. How could you fall for such a pretty-faced, poorly dressed bumpkin?"

Li Hua retorted, "Is that how you speak to your cousin's wife?"

*

Less than two years after Li Hua's marriage, the Marquis of Changning is implicated in a rebellion case, and the whole family is imprisoned. Fortunately, Li Hua has already married and is not implicated.

But her husband, a family of upright civil officials, rushes to distance themselves from the scandal. Using her failure to bear a son as an excuse, they send her away with a divorce letter.

The torrential rain above her suddenly stops. Li Hua looks up to see Zhao Xiao holding an oil-paper umbrella over her, sheltering her from the rain.

Zhao Xiao still looks as carefree and unruly as ever. "I told you your taste was bad."

*

In the radiant springtime, a young couple laugh and whisper among the flowers. A red mark stands out on the woman's slender, fair neck.

"Zhao Xiao, marrying your cousin's wife is an outrage against human decency!"

Zhao Xiao pulls her closer and turns to look at the speaker, a languid smile on his lips. "Cousin, you're mistaken. We're strengthening family ties."

*

Later, rumors spread through the capital that the young lord of the Marquis of Liangdu is a complete lunatic. To marry his cousin's wife, he turned against his own family and sent his cousin's household into exile.

[Little Scene 1]

Li Hua, homeless and leaning against the wall of her sworn enemy's home, looks ashamed and helpless.

Zhao Xiao braces one hand above her head and tilts his head to look at her. "I'm your provider now. How do you plan to repay me?"

Li Hua, small and helpless, looks up at him hesitantly. "F-Father?"

[Little Scene 2]

Later.

Li Hua says, "My sister says we should sleep in separate rooms while I'm pregnant."

Zhao Xiao pulls her close and smiles suggestively. "Don't listen to her nonsense. Pregnant women run hot. I have to stay with you."

Reading Guide:

1. The male and female leads are each other's only partners. Cousins compete for the same woman. The cousin's wife opens the door, and I become my cousin's husband.

2. An alternate setting with a mountain of author's inventions.

3. One-on-one romance. Before her former husband divorces her, there is nothing romantic between the leads.

4. A sweet little story about healing and growing.

Theme: Cherish what you have.