Ningguo Marquis Mu Lanting was blessed with celestial beauty, but his nature was cold, rebellious, obsessive, and arrogant.
When His Majesty casually asked whether he had a woman in mind, Mu Lanting's gaze settled, and his thin lips parted. "The daughter of Left Censor-in-Chief Lord Liu, Liu Fuxi."
When the imperial edict arranging the marriage arrived at the Liu residence, the whole country was in an uproar.
Everyone in the capital knew that Lord Liu was upright and impartial, and despised the lawless, cruel nature of the Ningguo Marquis. For half of every year, he impeached Mu Lanting. The two families were mortal enemies!
What kind of revenge and torment would the young lady suffer after marrying into that family?
The officials in court watched the spectacle with glee.
On their wedding night, Liu Fuxi held two cups of nuptial wine, lowering her eyes with demure grace.
Her hands trembled as she held the cups, giving away her fear. "My lord, allow me to serve you..."
But the man gently drew her into his arms and pressed a kiss, fragrant with wine, to her lips.
*
Word had it that Miss Liu was so badly injured on the second day of marriage that she couldn't get out of bed. Just as expected, the officials all shook their heads and sighed, deeply pitying her.
Later, Miss Liu's belly swelled beneath a cloak of gold-threaded peacock feathers, and she ate lychees chilled with ice shipped from Lingnan.
Eventually, everyone in the capital knew one thing:
If you need a favor from the Ningguo Marquis, go to his wife first. As long as she agrees, it's as good as done!
Theme: When life gets hard and exhausting, take a moment to look back. Better scenery may be waiting for you.
