I'm not in a good place, so I've decided to finish writing the whole story before updating. Thank you for your support.
Former titles: "Keeping the Young Madam to Myself," "After Her Husband's Death, She Tempts Her Wicked Stepson"
Characters: Delicate, aloof young stepmother × proud, stern-faced military general
The Su family was destroyed, and Jiao Jiao survived only to clear their name. Her sole chance was her stepson, Mu Ang, who commanded a powerful army and ruled over his own territory.
So after her husband's death, she carefully plotted her every move and took the initiative to curry favor with him.
When she approached him, he sneered, "That's all you've got, Young Madam? And you think you can set your sights on me?"
Later, when he returned to Yongzhou, one impulsive decision led him to bring her along. From then on, she became his nameless source of comfort and pleasure. He gave her fine clothes and sumptuous food, and treated her with tenderness and care. But this was never what she wanted.
Her lifelong wish was like a memorial he had set aside. Only then did she understand how foolish it was to put her hopes in a man.
Just then, the palace began recruiting female officials. She decisively fled the military governor's residence and went to the capital to take the selection exam. Unexpectedly, she rose smoothly through the ranks and became the dynasty's only female chancellor.
**
On the day of his father's funeral, Mu Ang saw his father's newly wedded young wife for the first time. Beneath the moonlight, her cool elegance was like a plum branch blooming quietly in the depths of winter.
She was not at all well-behaved. Before the mourning period had even ended, she was already throwing herself at him, leaving one telltale clue after another.
At first, he treated her like dirt.
Later, he broke off the plum branch with his own hands and became addicted to its taste. Only then did he realize that beneath her meek, gentle exterior was a heart he could never soften.
She fled the residence and disappeared without a trace. From then on, a piece of his heart was missing, and the wound would not heal.
Years later, he attended a palace banquet and saw her in a crimson robe, her presence captivating everyone around her.
After the banquet, he waited at the palace gates. He saw her approaching, laughing with her colleagues. Before he could speak, his eyes had already reddened. "Jiao Jiao..."
Jiao Jiao curved her lips, her expression utterly calm.
"Lord Mu, you've mistaken me for someone else. I am Su Yunran. A pleasure to meet you."
Reader's guide: 1. Both leads are sexually inexperienced. The male lead is no saint, and he is six years older than the female lead.
2. The story focuses on romance, not on a strong female lead. The plot serves the romance.
3. The romance, intimacy, and marriage only begin after their familial relationship has been severed.
Theme: Repay sincerity with sincerity
