My Cousin Is Hard to Pacify

The cousin of the Duke of Xie of the capital is about to be matched for marriage.

It is said that the young lady is so beautiful she seems like a figure in a painting, a true beauty. It's just a shame that there's quite a story behind her background.

And then there's her cousin, who is enough to make anyone shudder.

*

Qiao Xuwan moved into the Xie residence at the age of six and kept her head down for ten years. Now, with marriage arrangements being forced upon her, she has no choice but to plan for her future ahead of time.

She had thought she would simply choose a good family and marry into it, but her cousin, Xie Huajian, insisted on getting in her way.

She admits she once abused his influence to do as she pleased, and once kept him hanging, neither letting him get closer nor letting him give up.

But he had already agreed to marry someone. He couldn't very well stop her from having a good life.

So she packed her things and left without a second thought.

Unexpectedly, Xie Huajian caught up with her even faster.

She hadn't even put on her bridal crown and robes before he was already at her doorstep.

*

Xie Huajian couldn't understand when he had started having improper thoughts about his sweet, spoiled little sister.

At first, he had simply thought his cousin from Jiangnan was clever, good at winning people over, and very adorable. So he treated her like his own little sister and spoiled her until she became completely willful.

But the day his little sister grew up was bound to come.

He tried to find her the best, most suitable husband. The man had to be good-natured and handsome, ambitious and devoted, from a wealthy family, and have uncomplicated family relationships...

But he searched all over the capital and couldn't find anyone worthy of his sister.

And in the process, he nearly ended up taking care of her in bed himself.

After experiencing the pleasure of it, he turned to look in the mirror and settled on a candidate for her husband.

Reader's guide:

One-on-one romance, both leads' first time, alternate history

Coming soon in my author collection: But I Only Want to Sell Sweet Soup

After working nonstop for months in a 996 job, Xiangtang died of overwork and transmigrated to ancient times.

Unlike the novels she used to read, she didn't become a vicious concubine-born daughter or a talented legitimate daughter. She became a...

country girl.

A young country girl, just sixteen, whose parents had both died.

Her parents left her a small amount of savings and a sweet soup shop.

Xiangtang thought... this was just too great!!

As the only sweet soup shop in the village, business was naturally booming. A few employees kept the shop running, and all she had to do every day was feed the chickens, play with the dogs, lie flat, do the books, and bask in the sun.

But after just a few peaceful days, a man covered in blood suddenly turned up outside her door.

He was quite handsome, and his figure... ahem, was quite something too.

Xiangtang took him in and cared for him until he woke up.

After Sheng Yan woke, he stared at her for a long time, then asked coldly, "Why did you save me?"

Xiangtang: ?

Wait, dude, what?

She replied sincerely, "Buddy, even if you want to die, don't do it at someone else's doorstep. I'd be held responsible, okay?"

Sheng Yan's expression changed.

After a long silence, he suddenly asked, "Palace jade wine?"

Xiangtang reflexively answered, "One hundred eighty a cup."

Sheng Yan: "..."

Xiangtang: "..."

After his wounds healed, Sheng Yan left.

Xiangtang thought that was the end of their connection, but who could have guessed that a few days later, he would show up at the entrance to her shop in a vermilion official robe, leading a team of guards.

Xiangtang watched as he walked toward her, his expression gentle as he said:

"Come with me. I'll take you to the capital, where you can have a better life."

"Huh? But my shop..."

"Open it in the capital. I'll set you up with branches on all fourteen streets. If you think that's too much work, I'll hire people to do it for you. All you have to do is count the money."

"..."

After all sorts of unexpected events, Xiangtang eventually went to the capital with Sheng Yan.

She discovered that people's lives really could be worlds apart.

She fed chickens, played with dogs, and sold sweet soup in the countryside, while Sheng Yan rose through the ranks, made a fortune, and handled major affairs in the city. It did cost him a bit of his life, though, since people kept trying to assassinate him.

One day, Xiangtang said worriedly, "Sheng Yan, why don't you come back to the countryside with me and sell sweet soup? I'll support you."

Sheng Yan smiled. "No. Life is actually pretty good now, and before long, we won't have to live so anxiously."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to rebel."

"...?"

"Then you'll be my empress, the most honored woman in the world."

"...?!!"

She didn't have such lofty ambitions!!

Note:

A laid-back sweet girl x a scheming workaholic, both leads' first time

Theme: Take the first step