Wrongly Married, Then Claimed by a Twisted Powerbroker

Yu Qingchan was born into a distinguished family, with skin like ice and jade and exquisite beauty. At eighteen, she married into the Prince of Hexi's household in a grand wedding, becoming the envy of everyone.

In the third year of her marriage, her stepsister began a secret affair with the heir to the prince's title.

Her father, unable to tell right from wrong, said to her, "Your sister is kindhearted. Seeing that you've had no children all these years, she was afraid you'd be lonely, so she's willing to endure the indignity of becoming a secondary wife to support you. You should be grateful."

Her stepmother gloated triumphantly. "Your sister and the heir love each other. It's already merciful of them to let you stay. Don't be ungrateful."

Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law ignored all the hard work she put into managing the household and only blamed her for delaying the heir's chance to have children. Even her husband, who had once spent a fortune to marry her, showed his true colors and warned her impatiently, "I was born into nobility. It's perfectly normal for me to have several wives and concubines. Don't be jealous."

Yu Qingchan had never been jealous. She had simply finally seen through these people's hypocrisy and depravity.

Yu Qingchan was tired. "Then, Your Highness, divorce me."

*

At the lowest point in her life, Yu Qingchan met Lu Zhan. He was a trusted court official of the emperor and a gentleman from a distinguished family, as gentle as jade, handsome, and kind.

When Yu Qingchan was caught in a sudden downpour while traveling, Lu Zhan generously lent her his umbrella, even though it left him soaked.

When Yu Qingchan gathered evidence of her husband's misconduct, Lu Zhan gallantly sent someone to show her the way.

Even when she confronted her stepsister and was shoved to the ground, Lu Zhan stepped in to help, courteous and composed.

Although rumors said Lu Zhan was a hypocrite and a ruthless man, Yu Qingchan firmly believed he was a good person.

*

Long afterward, Yu Qingchan married Lu Zhan and accidentally learned the truth:

Her stepmother and stepsister had become more ambitious with Lu Zhan's encouragement. Lu Zhan had also played a part in persuading the princess consort to let her divorce. None of the times Lu Zhan had helped her had been motivated by benevolence.

On countless nights, Lu Zhan secretly breathed in the fragrance of her hair, restraining himself until he trembled.

It turned out that long ago, Lu Zhan had begun weaving an impenetrable web, all to make her his.

Note: A gentle, celibate, and secretly twisted powerful official x a graceful, gentle, and scholarly beauty

The female lead is not a virgin, while the male lead is. Long-held secret love, calculated possession, the ex-husband's desperate pursuit of his wife, the male lead has a hidden identity, and he is a genuine hypocrite.

Theme: Overcome adversity and weather the storms together. There is love and light in this world.