[Powerful minister x princess]
She was the least favored princess.
She was the child the emperor had with a maid while drunk. By the age of seven or eight, she still didn't even have a name.
She had a poor temperament, too. When summoned before the emperor, all she could say was "Mm-hm" and "Ah." She would stammer and blush after getting only a few words out.
In the end, she got nothing but her father's mockery and her siblings' humiliation. Even her birth mother became the laughingstock of the inner court.
She was clearly unhappy, but being as dull-witted as she was, all she did was feel hurt and angry for a while before quietly closing her mouth.
.
One winter, her older sister bound her hands and feet with iron chains and buried her in the freezing snow for fun.
Just as she began to despair and awaited death, someone suddenly pulled her out.
The man wore bright purple robes and a black cloak. His features were exquisitely elegant and gentle, so handsome that no one could look away.
He was the emperor's favored minister, Lord Haisu. He was also the only person in the palace who called her "Your Highness."
She lowered her head and gave an awkward, uneasy bow.
A faint smile touched Haisu's lips. He looked as calm as idle clouds in the sky. "Your Highness, have you given up on yourself?"
She stammered for a long time before saying, "I'm just a useless princess."
Useless people born into this palace were meant to die.
"Someone once told me that Heaven gives you your life, but you choose your own path." Lord Su, who held power in his hands, patted her shoulder. "You're better than all your brothers and sisters. It's just that no one has ever been willing to pay attention to you, so naturally they never discovered how good you are."
She froze, then lowered her head even further, unsure what he meant.
Lord Su bent down and leaned close to her. Smiling, he took in her startled expression.
"I noticed. That's why I'm here to help you. Your Highness can go on living in confusion and humiliation like this, until even the servants who wait on you look down on you."
"Of course," he said slowly, one word at a time, "you can also choose to let me help you make everyone who ever trampled on you pay the price."
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead has had sex before, but the male lead hasn't | The female lead was married before | Seven-year age gap | The male lead's identity is revealed
2. A growing female lead. She's introverted and timid at first, but later takes everyone down.
3. Sweet and angsty | The male lead is gentle and refined, while the female lead is an ambitious beauty. Neither lead is perfect.
---- Next book: She Became His Aunt After Being Dumped. Please add it to your collection. ----
Shuhuai waited three years for Yin Cong, but he returned with a pregnant young beauty and wanted to break off their engagement.
On a chilly, drizzly night, the Yin family drove her out of their home. Looking at the desolate, windswept streets, Shuhuai suddenly saw things clearly.
She spent every last bit of her money getting drunk at a brothel. After one drunken night, the three years she'd spent waiting turned to ashes.
The next morning, she woke up to find a disheveled man lying beside her.
Afraid she'd be held responsible, she quickly took the bracelet off her wrist and handed it to him.
"Last night was a mistake. If you see me again, pretend you don't know me."
Then she gathered up her skirts and ran, without even getting a good look at his face.
*
She heard that the young beauty's uncle was the Marquis of Black Robes, a high-ranking official and peerlessly handsome.
Perhaps blinded by hatred, Shuhuai set her sights on the marquis.
When the marquis's residence hired maids, she entered his service and kept making advances.
She would bat her eyelashes or throw herself into his arms when he passed by, but the man remained unmoved.
Until one day, he produced an exquisite bracelet and declared that whoever could wear it would become the future Marchioness.
Countless lovely women flocked to the marquis's residence, only to leave disappointed.
They could all wear it, but he always found an excuse. He wasn't satisfied with a single one.
Shuhuai wanted to try, too, so she came over and cautiously held out her wrist.
The man watched her with his arms folded, looking languid and nonchalant. He smiled and said:
"Didn't you say that if we saw each other again, we should pretend we didn't know each other?"
*
A few months later, Yin Cong got married, and Shuhuai was invited to attend the ceremony.
The Yin family had always looked down on her for coming from a humble family. Now that she had managed to win over a noblewoman, they mocked and humiliated her all the more.
The young beauty showed off her pregnant belly and came to provoke her, making Shuhuai the biggest joke at the wedding.
But just after the newlyweds had bowed to Heaven and Earth, as they were about to kneel before their elders, the man in the seat of honor slowly turned the jade ring on his finger and said:
"No rush. Come over and serve tea and kowtow to your aunt first."
His beautiful phoenix eyes lifted slightly as he gazed at the newlyweds with a faint smile.
"Apologize."
Theme: Persevere and grow stronger
I want to see the if line!!!