Synopsis
On hiatus for a few days for a full revision.
The female lead, Wen Lian, seems willful and spoiled, but is actually clever and strategic, always planning several moves ahead.
The male lead, Wei Yanzhou, seems delicate and easy to push around, but is actually scheming, proud, and eager to rise in status.
In front of foreign envoys, Wen Lian declares that she will bring the Crown Prince of Xiliang into her princess's residence as her consort.
To avoid an arranged marriage, she visits a male brothel and buys ten male courtesans to serve her in her residence, only to accidentally attract unwanted romantic entanglements.
"Would you be willing to enter my princess's residence and let me admire you alone?" Wen Lian lifts his chin with her fan, her eyes full of admiration for his beauty.
"Your servant would be delighted." Wei Yanzhou can't hide his smile, but it hasn't even spread across his lips when he sees the other nine "brothers" and can't smile anymore.
"Your servant will not share a wife with anyone else." Just as he's about to take back his words, the princess reaches out her hand, asking him to return the money she paid to buy his freedom.
Wei Yanzhou decides that the wise adapt to circumstances and immediately changes his tune. "Your servant is willing to serve Your Highness alongside his brothers."
After she drives away her nine rivals, a prince from a neighboring kingdom takes the chance to propose to her at a banquet, completely overturning Wei Yanzhou's vinegar jar.
He drops his act, lashes out at the prince, then takes the princess back to her residence and ties her up, head to toe, on the bed.
His eyes brim with possessiveness. "Your Highness is too beautiful, and people are always coveting you. Why not stay here, where only I can admire you?"
His words are strikingly similar to what she had said the first time they met, making Wen Lian laugh.
As if coaxing a puppy, she strokes his fur and says, "I never thought my frail, helpless consort would turn out to be so jealous. How about I wear a veil whenever I go out from now on? Only you can see me in pretty clothes. I don't have to wear any, either..."
Wei Yanzhou curls his lips into a smile, apparently thinking of something. His old face turns red, and he rests his head against her shoulder and neck, nodding happily. His nuzzling tickles Wen Lian.
At the moment of life and death, she says coldly, "My enemies and my foes are mine to deal with. If you want to live, you can leave now."
Instead, he gives her a wicked smile and says, "It's a shame we couldn't share a bed in life, but sharing a grave after death has always been my dream. As long as you're with me, what is there to fear about dying?"
P.S.:
1. Both leads pretend to be harmless while hiding their claws.
2. The male lead has secret identities waiting for the female lead to uncover one by one...
Theme: Support each other and help each other grow along the way.