Powerful, coercive pursuit | A sinister, insecure commoner vs. a noblewoman of high birth
Xie Jingshu was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Xie family of Jinling, beautiful as an immortal and of distinguished status. After her coming-of-age ceremony, eligible young men's families came knocking one after another to ask for her hand. In the end, she chose Cui You, the third son of the Cui family.
At a gathering in the western residence, the young ladies sat together chatting and discussing the major and minor events taking place in the capital. Someone suddenly asked her, "What does Wanyan think of the fifth young master of the Huan family?"
Huan Jie, the fifth young master of the Huan family, came from an undistinguished background. His ancestors were unknown, and he had only begun making a name for himself in the capital over the past two years.
Xie Jingshu had never liked him. She thought he chased fame and fortune, ingratiating himself with all the great families. So she replied, "Fifth Young Master Huan is good at reading the wind and changing course. He's all honeyed words and flattery."
Everyone burst out laughing, unaware that Huan Jie, standing behind them, had heard every word.
Several years later, Huan Jie held power over the entire court and became the Governor, second only to The Outcast. The first thing he did was ask the Xie family for Xie Jingshu's hand in marriage.
He wanted to see what expression the lofty young lady of the Xie family would wear when she married a smooth-talking flatterer like him.
A grand bridal procession stretched for ten miles, with phoenix crown and embroidered robes.
The wedding day was just around the corner, but the carriage carrying the bride plunged into the river as it passed Qujiang. The bride drowned, and her body was never found.
Huan Jie went to Qujiang himself. On the riverbank, he found the wedding gown that had been discarded, and slowly smiled.
1.25
A few things to know before reading:
1. The setting is modeled after the Wei and Jin dynasties, but includes many creative liberties.
2. This is a powerful, coercive pursuit story, so the male lead is definitely not a good person~
Theme: I am a gentleman of the clear capital and its mountains and rivers
