A down-on-her-luck noblewoman with a touch of gloom x a highborn playboy who is always full of energy
The Spring Examination results were announced, and the top scorer paraded through the streets. Overnight, the Sun family of the Board of Rites became the talk of the town.
As the top scorer's elder sister, Sun Youying was already widely read and renowned throughout the capital for her talent. Now, young men from noble families who wanted to marry her were practically breaking down her door.
After weighing her options, Sun Youying settled on a good match. Cui Shuben, the capital's infamous playboy heir, couldn't have cared less about it.
But at a banquet celebrating the Sun family's son's success, he fell in love with Sun Youying at first sight.
After that, Cui Shuben took books with him to the tavern, recited poetry while listening to music, and even started writing essays on the sidelines while competing with his friends at cricket fighting. He hoped to make a good impression on Sun Youying the next time they met, even after learning that she was engaged to someone else.
Then a political coup struck. The Minister of Rites was imprisoned, and the bright future of the Sun family was suddenly thrown into turmoil.
In the blink of an eye, Sun Youying's parents pinned their hopes of restoring the family's fortunes on their daughter's marriage. Their family had lost its former glory, and despite their reluctance, they had no choice but to pick a prestigious match from among her remaining suitors and rush her into marriage.
On the wedding day, the veil was lifted. Sun Youying, whose heart had turned to ashes, saw Cui Shuben grinning at her with his white teeth showing.
Maybe things weren't so bad after all.
(The story is set in a completely fictional world. Everything serves the plot.)
The full manuscript is complete...
Theme: Live life with optimism
