The Imperial Tutor's Second Marriage

[One Woman, Two Brothers] [Ancient-Era Teacher and Student] [Taking by Force] [Bittersweet, Soap-Opera Drama]

🍔 Bright, Noble Lady x Cool, Paternal Type vs. Clingy, Loyal Puppy

Blurb:

Nan Lingxue was the daughter of the Grand Commandant of the court, raised in luxury from childhood.

When she and Qi Yanlin, the second son of the Prince of Dingbei, were just born, their families arranged their betrothal. They had been inseparable since childhood, childhood sweethearts, and were expected to marry once they came of age.

She often told herself that their marriage was only natural.

One night, Nan Lingxue and Qi Yanlin met in the prince's garden to admire the moon.

The evening's romantic atmosphere grew more intense. Curious about love, the young couple kissed, unable to part.

Suddenly, a noise came from behind the rockery. They hid in the lotus pond, and a pair of strong arms seized the chance to pull her out of the water.

In a daze, she was carried to an unfamiliar room.

"Sir..." Nan Lingxue covered her chest, terrified...

The tall, broad-shouldered man before her, with his cool and aloof air,

was Qi Yanshan, her fiance's elder brother and the Imperial Tutor.

Qi Yanshan draped a cloak over her shoulders and placed a change of clothes on the table.

"There are assassins in the prince's residence tonight. It's dangerous outside. I've prepared bathwater for you. Make do here for the night."

Nan Lingxue was more afraid of her tutor than of the assassins.

After bathing, she stepped outside. But when she saw what her tutor was doing, she froze in shock...

Qi Yanshan was coldly washing her underclothes. He didn't even look up when he heard her.

"Go copy out the essay we discussed yesterday. I'll check it after I'm done washing."

Nan Lingxue stamped her foot and stormed away.

What an awful man.

Was someone so unreasonable really going to become her brother-in-law?

She didn't realize that the faintest traces of affection were quietly taking root.

As her wedding day drew near, Nan Lingxue grew increasingly uneasy. Her gaze would always pass over her future husband and settle on someone else...

And every time, he returned her look.

The night before the wedding, she ran away from home and tried to drown her sorrows in drink.

As she was overcome with drunken grief, a cloak settled lightly on her shoulders, followed by the cool, fresh scent of pine from the man beside her.

"Sir... have a drink with me." Nan Lingxue turned and offered him a cup.

Seeing that he had passed out after drinking, she leaned over him, and his belt fell to the floor...

At dawn, she fled in panic. She went through the formalities, married Qi Yanlin, and entered the bridal chamber with her husband, as if the mistake of the previous night had never happened.

After they married, the couple were blissfully in love every day. Nan Lingxue was surrounded by happiness, yet unease lingered in her heart.

But their happy days did not last. War broke out between the Great Liang and the Turks, and Qi Yanlin had to lead troops into battle. The newlyweds had barely had time to enjoy being together before they were forced to part.

Nan Lingxue watched her husband leave, guilt-stricken, and resolved to live a good life with him when he returned.

As for that one mistaken night with her brother-in-law, she would pretend it never happened.

But later, news came from the frontier that Qi Yanlin had died.

By chance, Nan Lingxue was on a mountain praying for blessings with her mother-in-law that day, and had not yet heard the news.

Qi Yanshan stood by the window, watching as his younger brother's farewell letter was consumed by the candle flame.

Snow covered the man's cloak. He glanced down indifferently and brushed the frost from it.

The next moment, an attendant informed him:

"As you ordered, Nan Lingxue has 'perished' in the fire. There is no longer anyone by that name in this world."

Reader's Guide:

1. Both male leads are devoted to the female lead in both body and heart. The first male lead is ten years older; the second is her age, eighteen. The female lead ends up with both brothers.

2. Please don't blame the heroine. Since their marriage was arranged before they were born, she was never given any option besides the second male lead. She has no choice but to follow tradition, yet she falls for the first male lead outside the rules, so it's only natural that she feels torn.

3. This is a follow-up to "The Princess's Rough-Heewn Lover" (one woman, two men competing for her), but can be read on its own.

Theme: You needn't be buried in your homeland; the world is full of places where you can make a life.