The Fostered Little Bride

Zhao Xiping, the son of the Vice Minister of Rites, is about to marry a noblewoman he doesn't care for. There's another woman he loves, but she's lowborn, just a courtesan from a pleasure house.

His wife's family wields great influence, and afraid the truth might get out, he has no choice but to leave A Ying in the care of his friend Wei Xun. To hide her identity, he calls her Wei Xun's concubine.

Before leaving, he grips his friend's hand and gives him endless instructions. "I'll come back for A Ying. You must take good care of her."

Wei Xun's face remains cold, his heart full of scorn.

He knows exactly what his friend is thinking: Zhao is simply afraid he'll be tempted by the young lady's beauty and take her for himself.

How laughable. Does Zhao even know who he's talking to? As if he'd be interested in a woman from a brothel.

On the day they meet, sixteen-year-old A Ying peeks out from behind the carriage curtain. Her face is as lovely as a hibiscus, her waist slender and graceful, and her captivating almond eyes slowly turn to him, shimmering with emotion.

For a moment, Wei Xun can't find the words.

He suddenly understands why Zhao Xiping was so afraid he'd be tempted by her beauty.

The young lady really is quite lovely.

-

Wei Xun, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is stern and upright. He's over twenty-five, still unmarried, and has no intention of marrying. To fend off all the people trying to arrange a match for him, he has no choice but to pretend to share a bed with A Ying.

On the first day, he tells her sternly, "It's only an act. We'll sleep on separate sides, and keep out of each other's way."

A Ying nods meekly and sneaks a glance at him.

Lord Wei is a gentleman, and would never take advantage of her. She feels completely at ease.

But later, she can't remember when it started. Every morning, she wakes up in his arms.

☆ Age gap, aloof beauty falls hard, fake relationship becomes real

☆ A lovely young woman left in his care, no borrowing without keeping!

Theme: Believe that life has good things in store.