The Top Scholar Is Sweet on the Outside, Dark on the Inside

[The Sickly Villain's White Moonlight is now available] Chi Nian was transmigrated into the body of an unlucky girl. Her family was penniless, her fields had been stolen, and now she was going to be married off in an exchange marriage. If she had to marry, Chi Nian figured she might as well settle for the black-hearted scholar who'd tried to con her. A beauty and a penniless scholar with a wicked heart: she clapped her hands in delight. They were like two peas in a pod, growing more pleasing to each other the longer they looked. So Chi Nian brought the refined, handsome scholar home. Her aunts took turns advising her that this pretty-faced, poor scholar was no match for a man with a grand tiled house and gold and silver jewelry. Chi Nian made an excuse: "He's handsome! A handsome face can be a meal in itself!" The poor scholar smiled gently and considerately beside her. // Song Yu came first in the imperial examinations. Though born into a humble family, he was handsome and talented, with a bright future ahead. His only regret in life was that, in his days of poverty, he had once married a country girl. But later, that marriage became proof that he had been a hidden dragon in the depths, and had recognized a piece of uncut jade. The country girl found her birth father and became a beloved princess of the realm. On the day they parted, the imperial carriage led the way, and she was sent off with all the honors due her. Behind the beaded curtain, the woman turned to look back. Her black hair and snowy skin gleamed, her smile bright and bold, a man's fur cloak draped over her shoulders. Chi Nian's lips parted. Her voice carried to his ears on the wind. "Lord Song, take care of yourself." Song Yu watched her leave calmly, without a word. But that night, he broke into the princess's residence, biting her inner garment in a sulk as he whispered in her ear, "Princess, long time no see." Reader's guide: 1. One couple, both virgins, happy ending. 2. A romance-focused writing exercise, not a strong female lead. Reason for entering the competition: The heroine endures many hardships and upheavals in ancient times, but relies on her own abilities to stay true to her convictions and eventually welcomes a brighter future. - Coming soon: The Sickly Villain's White Moonlight Shang Yu transmigrated into the long-awaited baby girl of the Changning Earl's household, a daughter they had hoped for across three generations. Her parents were loving, her older brothers doted on her, and the family lived in harmony. She also had a husband others envied. Her husband, Xie Qingxuan, heir to the Prince of Duan, was gentle, upright, and as pure as a breeze over snow-covered orchids. They were well-matched and happily married. But on their wedding night, Xie Qingxuan was drugged and lost his senses, passionately tormenting Shang Yu. The next day, however, Xie Qingxuan was once again the very picture of self-restraint and propriety. After this happened for several days in a row, Shang Yu questioned him again and again, and finally learned that her husband knew nothing about love. So Shang Yu brought him the illustrated books she had kept hidden at the bottom of her trunk. At first, Shang Yu complained to her friends about her husband. "He looks all proper and respectable, but he's a beast at night. It's terrifying." Later, Shang Yu praised him to her friends. "He's so gentle at night, as tender as water." Her friend asked curiously, "Do you have some secret tips for training him?" Shang Yu's cheeks turned red. "Just get him to read more books." A colleague, exhausted after being tormented by his wife all night, was told, "Learn from Xie Qingxuan. He spends all day reading." The next morning, he went to intercept Xie Qingxuan. "Brother, what do you spend all day reading?" Xie Qingxuan closed his book and answered solemnly, "Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government." Tsk. Those illustrated books couldn't compare to all the fun he had with his wife... Theme: Believe in the light, and become the light.