After Becoming the County Magistrate's Wife

This story is also known as "The Breath of Life".

[Romance Version]

It took demoted top scholar Cui Xi two months to travel from the capital region to the border city. It took him only one glance to decide on a marriage. Lu Sheng didn't meet this magistrate, Cui, until their wedding night. He was cold toward her, choosing to handle official business rather than stay and spend the night with her. Later, Cui Xi and Lu Sheng climbed over a high wall and fled into the night together. In the cold darkness, she held tightly to her own hands. The warmth they shared, and the sensation of running beneath the stars, left Cui Xi dizzy.

[Plot Version]

Years later, Yongping County built a shrine to honor the two of them, commemorating their many achievements: encouraging agriculture and sericulture, rebuilding trade routes, improving the waterways, and defending the city and its people. Merchants who came by reputation would always ask about them at the teahouse by the water.

Question: Where have the two gone now?

Answer: After the battle to defend the city that year, an imperial decree summoned the magistrate back to the capital, and his wife raced after him to the rescue.

Question: And then? What happened after that?

Answer: Have another bowl of tea!

Note:

1. Romance and plot are equally important. The plot is set in an alternate world inspired by the Tang dynasty.

2. Not a power fantasy, and there is no golden finger. Progress comes one step at a time, with a small ensemble cast.

3. Includes food and everyday life, but those aren't the main focus.

My next story will be "Raising a General with Bewitching Charm". Please add it to your collection. I'm working hard to build up a backlog >. "! [240,000 words]

[Blurb]

Lin Suo married her benefactor, Li Huaizhou, who had just left the army, in her stepsister's place. She had already decided to leave, but along the way she got entangled with another "womanizer" from a high-ranking family, Wu Huai.

Back then, Lin Suo was at best an uncut gem, and by a stroke of luck, she met two men with discerning eyes.

Li Wulang: I used to be a spirited young general. Now, for love, I'm happy to be a kept husband. (Dog of a man)

Wu Huai: I'm an aristocrat and a future powerbroker. Now, for love, I want to be the other man. (Sly man)

Lin Suo: What are these two babbling about? I got the answer wrong on the test paper. (Straight woman)

[Bonus Scene 1]

Question: So, did you discover today that the other person was a substitute bride?

Lin Suo: He saved my life...

Li Wulang: I'm blind...

[Bonus Scene 2]

Question: Can you two be friends in the end?

Lin Suo: No!

Wu Huai: She always gets so worked up when she mentions me.

"Bewitching charm" is how a fortune-teller describes the heroine. In reality, she's got plenty of skill and strength, relatively speaking. If you can ship them, consider yourself lucky. Amitabha.

Theme: Be hardworking and brave, and fear no storms!