Better to Steal a Husband Than Have One (Matriarchal Society)

(The ending is rushed. Read with caution.)

Blurb: [Young Wife, Older Husband] [Passionate, Brilliant, Sweet on the Outside and Cunning Within Noblewoman x Lonely, Needy, Dramatic Man]

Cui Xiuying, the youngest daughter of the renowned Qinghe Cui clan, had studied cultivation on a sacred mountain since childhood. When she entered the secular world, she was forced to marry Xie De, the Grand Tutor of the dynasty.

On the eve of the imperial marriage decree, Xie De was fond of lecturing, while Cui Xiuying hated being constrained.

Taking the opportunity, the beautiful and charming young princess teased and mocked this well-known lonely man of the Feng Dynasty.

Xie De looked at the mischievous girl who had no idea what was coming. His expression turned complicated and unreadable, and he left with a meaningful look.

That night, the imperial decree arrived.

Cui Xiuying: !???

The princess fainted on the spot from shock, leaving the elderly Grand Tutor to be mocked by everyone for an old bull eating tender grass.

The Grand Tutor was old, but truly beautiful.

When Cui Xiuying came to, she found herself falling for him and accepted the match without a fuss.

It wasn't until her husband and the Feng Emperor conspired against her, bringing the great Cui clan to ruin and leaving her to die beneath a rain of arrows, that Cui Xiuying realized their marriage had been a plot all along.

Five years later, old acquaintances meet again, but one no longer recognizes the other.

Male lead's perspective:

Xie De, Grand Tutor of the dynasty, secretly in love with his dear friend, the Feng Emperor. Little did he know that his friend was using him as a pawn.

The young girl was as radiant as the morning sun, and in his confusion, he fell for her.

Love doesn't always grow over time. Sometimes it strikes at first sight.

During the five years after Cui Xiuying's death, Xie De lived a fate worse than death.

When Prince Zong rebelled, the Feng Emperor fled with him to the famous White Horse Manor.

The manor's owner was a strange woman.

From the very first meeting, she showed a keen interest in him.

Later, when White Horse Manor joined Prince Zong's rebellion, Xie De stared in disbelief at the familiar face of its owner, trembling all over as he called her, "Wife."

The White Horse Manor owner toyed with them all, her eyes smiling, yet her manner was cold, sharp, and heartless.

"Your Highness, please show some restraint."

Xie De's heart broke. Pitifully, he chased after the departing woman, only to fall awkwardly to the ground.

She didn't look back.

[Bonus Scene] The story of how the dramatic Grand Tutor finally stopped making a fuss.

In the rebel camp, the White Horse Manor owner lounged bonelessly in her chair, listening to Prince Zong's grand ambitions.

The military camp suddenly fell silent.

A barefoot man walked toward her, his snow-white toes covered in wounds. The White Horse Manor owner's eyes were deep as a pool, and she said nothing.

"Are you planning a rebellion?"

The White Horse Manor owner rolled her eyes.

The man obediently knelt at her feet and carefully took her hand. When he realized she wasn't rejecting him, tears of joy filled his eyes.

"I'll help you. Please don't be angry with me anymore, all right?"

(The leads are both virgins. The male lead chases his wife after losing her. It's melodramatic throughout, with the male lead suffering. One-on-one romance, no change of male lead. Don't read if this bothers you.)

Note: 1. Fictional female-dominant setting, with some fantastical elements. There's no need to scrutinize the details; the author makes the rules, hehe.

2. Sweet romance? The female lead really does fall into the fire of death, but is rescued and brought back to life. She is not reborn.

Theme: You reap what you sow