My Husband and I Cheat on Each Other

By imperial decree, Mu Yao was married to Fu Xiaobai, the capital's number-one wastrel.

As the second son of the late Marquis of Zhenbei, Fu Xiaobai enjoyed the emperor's deep favor and trust, yet he was unruly, lecherous, sharp-tongued, and vicious with his words.

Mu Yao was spoiled, arrogant, ignorant, and looked down on everyone.

Both were notorious for being disliked by people and dogs alike, and they couldn't stand each other.

Mu Yao was in love with Fu Xiaobai's older brother, while Fu Xiaobai liked Mu Yao's older sister. Neither could win the heart of the one they loved, and seeing each other was like looking into a mirror. They couldn't have loathed each other more.

Forced together, the two sat facing each other in their bridal chamber on their wedding night, red candles flickering. Fu Xiaobai twirled a folding fan in his hand. "All the wealth and splendor are yours. Do whatever you like in this household, but as for my freedom, you'd better keep your hands off, Madam."

Mu Yao said, "Let's drink this nuptial cup, and after that, we each do our own thing."

They hit it off at once and drained their cups on the spot. They agreed to act affectionate in public, while keeping up the appearance of a marriage without real attachment. In private, neither would interfere with the other.

*

But when two people live under the same roof, friction is inevitable as time goes by.

During one argument, Fu Xiaobai, as usual, accused Mu Yao of sneaking glances at his older brother and being an unfaithful wife. Mu Yao accused him of shamelessly coveting her older sister and failing to behave like a proper husband.

As they argued heatedly, both their faces turned red, but neither would admit to caring about the other.

To prove that they really didn't care, one threatened to go carousing, while the other threatened to hire male entertainers and listen to music.

Amid the lavish gardens, where lantern-lit waters flowed, husband and wife ran into each other by chance.

Mu Yao had dressed up especially for the occasion, looking far more alluring and captivating than usual. Fu Xiaobai, too, was every inch the dashing, carefree gentleman, drawing countless women's admiring glances the moment he appeared.

They brushed past each other like strangers, neither paying the other any attention.

Yet late at night, when the dew was heavy, someone spotted the two of them kissing passionately in a corner of a pleasure boat on the river.

Afterward, Mu Yao blushed. "I drank too much. Who told you to look like your older brother?"

Fu Xiaobai said, "I was only pretending to kiss you because you look like your older sister."

But from that day on, the couple gradually became impossible to stop. Their arguments grew fiercer, but making up moved to the bedroom.

[Reading Guide]

1. Marriage before love, plus face-slapping and a change of heart.

2. An alternate-world romance, with both leads devoted only to each other. The male lead is emotionally and physically faithful to the female lead alone.

3. I wanted to write something light and let loose. The leads are not perfect people. Readers who have high moral standards for protagonists may want to steer clear.

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