The Noble Consort Just Wants to Lie Flat

"A lazy, lie-flat, clueless little sister x a scheming, twisted, sharp-eyed older brother. Sweet romance, both leads have no prior experience." Wen Ci had reached the age to marry, and her parents were beside themselves with worry about her future. Her two older sisters were famous young ladies in the capital, but Wen Ci was good for nothing: lazy, greedy, and clueless about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her reputation was in tatters, and there was no suitable match to be found for her. She and the new emperor, Wei Ling, had sort of grown up together. Wei Ling had just ascended the throne, and his harem was empty. Wen Ci suggested, "How about this: take me into the palace as a concubine, so my parents can stop sighing over my marriage every day. Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble once I'm in the palace. Just make sure I'm fed and have a roof over my head." For the sake of their childhood friendship, Wei Ling agreed and even granted her the title of Noble Consort. Once Wen Ci entered the palace, she lived in total comfort, with plenty to eat and drink and servants to wait on her. To make sure she wouldn't lose favor and get bullied, Wei Ling visited her palace every so often. They'd play chess by lamplight, and he couldn't have been more considerate. Wen Ci thought she ought to repay Wei Ling. Not long after his empress was deposed for plotting against a royal heir, his other consort, Lady Zhu, was found to be pregnant. Wen Ci waved her hand and took responsibility for looking after Lady Zhu through the birth. "Don't worry, Liuyun. I'll protect your baby." Wei Ling glanced at her. "No need. That child isn't mine." Wen Ci sucked in a breath. What a huge green hat! She was about to comfort him when Wei Ling added, "That child the empress plotted to harm wasn't mine either." Wen Ci: Two enormous green hats! Wei Ling said, "Xiao Ci, if you really want to repay me, become my empress. Have children with me, and grow old together." Wen Ci: Wait, what? I only came here for free food and a roof over my head! When Wei Ling was young, he was bullied until Wen Ci saved his life. Everyone said Wen Ci was lazy and useless. Wei Ling was the only one who thought otherwise. To him, Wen Ci was a ray of light in his life, warm and bright. But he never dared tell Wen Ci how he felt. He never expected that she'd ask to join his harem and become his consort. He was ecstatic, but had to pretend to be nonchalant. "There's always so much infighting in the harem. You're too laid-back for that life." Wen Ci said, "But you'll be there to protect me, won't you? Besides, I'm not going to fight for your favor. I'll just eat and drink and watch the show." Wei Ling thought he'd already warned her, and she was the one who insisted on walking into the trap. Since she'd chosen to come closer to him, he would never let her go for the rest of his life. --- End of preview --- The Power Minister's Long-Lost Beloved Wife Is Actually Me Zhu Qingmei was once deeply in love with Cui Heng, but he had always been cool and distant toward her. Later, when the Zhu family ran into trouble, Zhu Qingmei had no choice but to fake her death and go into hiding. A few years later, Zhu Qingmei eventually made her way to the capital and discovered that Cui Heng had become a celebrated power minister. Remembering her past with Cui Heng, Zhu Qingmei felt wistful. She'd heard that Cui Heng had married, but his wife had died young. She'd also heard that he had loved his first wife so much that he'd nearly died with her, and that he'd stayed faithful to her for years, even turning down an imperial betrothal. Zhu Qingmei couldn't help feeling a little jealous. She still wanted to see what kind of woman Cui Heng had married. As she looked at the portrait of Cui Heng's deceased wife, her brows furrowed more and more. The portrait... why did the woman look more and more like her? Zhu Qingmei: … Wait, why had nobody told her she'd married Cui Heng? To get to the bottom of it, Zhu Qingmei decided to meet Cui Heng. She suspected he was just using her to ward off all those annoying admirers! She was already "dead," for goodness' sake! Zhu Qingmei pulled some strings and managed to meet Cui Heng at a banquet. She was about to demand to know why he was using her, but he pulled her into his arms. Reeking of alcohol, he called her tenderly, "Meimei, you're back. I've missed you so much..." Zhu Qingmei froze. Wait, did Cui Heng really love her so much that he'd gone mad? - When Cui Heng was young, he hadn't understood love or hate. The chattering little girl was always running after him, and back then he found her annoying. Then, later, she died... He woke from his midnight dreams with his heart aching, and finally understood: he had loved her. Years later, someone offered him a fake to curry favor. When Cui Heng sobered up, he nearly went mad. How could he have betrayed Meimei... Zhu Qingmei slapped the back of his head. "Cui Heng, are you out of your mind? You're the fake! Your whole family is fake!" Cui Heng looked at Zhu Qingmei, tears in his eyes, and cautiously embraced her, as if afraid she'd disappear again. "Meimei, don't ever leave me again." Theme: Work hard and build a better future together.