The Duke of Yan's Beloved Concubine

A scheming, hypocritical woman who pretends to be sweet and helpless x an upright, imposing, guileless, easily fooled duke

(I)

Because Duke Yan is skilled enough to protect her life, Jasmine schemes to make him take her as a concubine, so she can survive and live a little better.

She has it all planned out: keep her head down in the inner courtyard, with a safe place to stay and enough food to eat. That's all she needs.

But later, she changes.

She never knew anyone in this world could treat her so well,

so well that Jasmine wants him all to herself.

"You won't have to work like an ox anymore."

"Since Concubine has entered the household first, this set of jewelry should rightfully go to her."

"I had no idea you were so stubborn, Concubine. How about I call you Stubborn from now on?"

"Don't be afraid, Stubborn. I'm here."

The Luo family girl wants to marry into the household? Sorry, not now.

The emperor grants a marriage? Don't even think about it.

Everyone's taking advantage of her lord because he's guileless and easily fooled? Then don't blame her for playing dirty.

(II)

Everyone in Great Qi knows that Duke Yan, Yan Ke, lives up to his name: he has been stern and strict since childhood, holding himself to the highest standards.

That is, until Duke Yan returned victorious, bringing back a concubine!

At the time, his family was preparing to arrange a marriage for him, and the young lady was at the duke's residence to welcome him home.

In front of his relatives and the young lady, Duke Yan calmly said, "She's only a concubine."

Everyone believed him, until that wicked concubine was exposed, and the duke still defended her.

Only then did they realize:

Was she really just a concubine? She was clearly a favored concubine!

At first, Yan Ke really did think of Jasmine as no more than a dispensable concubine.

The concubine asked him, "Why are you so good to me, my lord?"

Duke Yan was puzzled. "Am I good to you?"

Duke Yan didn't think he treated his concubine particularly well. She had come along with him, so he simply had to take responsibility for her.

But could someone explain why, even though his concubine wasn't upright or sincere and was more than willing to cause trouble,

he still wanted to protect her?

Before meeting Jasmine, Duke Yan thought:

"Hmph. I would never turn out as useless as that man on the throne!"

Later, Duke Yan finally worked up the courage to humbly ask the emperor for advice.

Everyone at the duke's residence: "That concubine is craftier than a wasp's nest!"

The duke, looking guileless: "Where? I haven't seen anything."

Note: Slice-of-life and domestic intrigue, with women competing for a man's favor (read with caution).

The heroine is a native of this world, not a strong female lead, and her ideas haven't evolved.

She's a ruthless character. She saves her kindness for the people she likes, and uses other means to deal with those she doesn't.

The leads have no deep-seated hatred for each other. They are attracted to each other from the start.

The male lead has plenty of page time, but is mostly there to dote on her. He does nothing but spoil her.

A super-sweet romance.

The Great Qi series includes Duke Yan's Beloved Concubine, My Husband Was Stolen, The Princess Only Wants to Be a Coroner, and the completed novel What Should I Do? The Imperial Consort Loves Me Too Much. The characters from each story will cross paths, especially the emperor and consort, who appear in several of the novels.

Theme: There are no ranks in love