May You Be Well, Cousin

Qin Baoshu lost her father at a young age and was already living under someone else's roof at her maternal grandparents' home by the time she was eight.

Her maternal family's Pingxi Earl's household had long been known for its kindness. Besides her, a cousin who needed their protection, there were many down-on-their-luck relatives, related by marriage so distantly that no one could say how many generations apart, staying there as well. Fang Yuheng was one of them.

Though Baoshu lived under another family's roof, her mother was the Old Madam's most beloved younger daughter, and her father had been a wealthy man in his own right while he was alive. She never lacked spending money, and the Feng family treated her even more lavishly than their own daughters.

By the time Qin Baoshu was seventeen, Fang Yuheng was twenty and of age. The two made a striking contrast.

Whenever outsiders spoke of Fang Yuheng, they gave him a thumbs-up and praised him: a successful provincial graduate at twenty, with a brilliant future ahead.

As for Qin Baoshu, guests at the Feng residence affectionately called her the Dowager Princess's darling, but behind her back they mocked her for being steeped in money and told their younger relatives to keep their distance.

Suitors who wanted to arrange a marriage with Fang Yuheng nearly wore down the Feng residence's threshold, but Fang Yuheng politely turned them all down, saying he would marry only after establishing his career.

Later, Fang Yuheng became the Crown Prince of the new dynasty, and everyone was even more desperate to curry favor with him.

At a palace banquet, some people accidentally came upon the Crown Prince of the new dynasty alone with Qin Baoshu.

Qin Baoshu stood with her hands on her hips, huffing angrily as she shouted, "This is all your fault!"

Everyone thought: This pampered Feng cousin has no idea of her place. She's got some nerve. The Crown Prince will soon berate her until she loses all face!

They were waiting for a spectacle when they saw Fang Yuheng say nothing, climb a tall ladder, and help her bring down a little kitten.

Everyone: ??!!

**

Sure enough, Qin Baoshu was chosen as the Crown Princess.

No one could understand what Fang Yuheng saw in Qin Baoshu, a merchant's daughter.

Rumors spread all over the capital that Qin Baoshu had used underhanded means to force Fang Yuheng to marry her.

At the palace banquet the next day, Fang Yuheng said with a dark expression, "I am the one living off her money. Does anyone have a problem with that?"

Qin Baoshu: We had no fate together to begin with. It took my money to make it happen.

A fake down-on-his-luck, scheming young gentleman x a wealthy cousin who spends money freely

One-on-one romance, no blood relation

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Princess Zhao Mei was raised in luxury from childhood and was renowned as a delicate beauty.

When her husband conspired with others to rebel, it was the seemingly frail Princess who wielded a long sword and killed him with her own hands, securing the throne for her young brother.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, salacious rumors about Zhao Mei spread through the streets and alleys.

The officials repeatedly submitted memorials accusing Zhao Mei of being debauched, domineering, and unworthy of being the emperor's eldest daughter. They joined forces with Wei Rongchuan, her former fiance, whom Zhao Mei had abandoned after initiating their relationship, and swore to depose her for usurping power.

The emperor turned a blind eye, further stoking the officials' resentment. They offered Wei Rongchuan one scheme after another, and he and Zhao Mei traded blows in the struggle for power.

Then one day, at a banquet in front of all the officials, the Princess vomited from morning sickness. A censor immediately slammed the table and bluntly declared that the child in Zhao Mei's womb was illegitimate, irrefutable proof that she had brought shame upon the royal family!

But just as his words fell, someone else slammed the table and stood up. The censor turned around and was horrified.

Everyone rumored to have had an affair with Zhao Mei had stood up.

The legitimate son of the Duke of Wei, who had been rumored to enter the Princess's residence and not return all night.

The newly powerful minister who had fought with a rival in the street over her.

And the greatest strategist in the world, who was said to have been won over by Zhao Mei using her beauty to secure her younger brother's throne!

-- But why was Wei Rongchuan standing among them too?!

P.S. Rekindled love after a breakup, one-on-one romance

Theme: Never give up in adversity; help each other grow.