Growing Old Together with You

Restrained, self-controlled treacherous minister x Cunning, flirtatious little ray of sunshine

Xu Linxiao held high office and wielded ruthless methods. The emperor above him viewed him with suspicion, while everyone else gave him a wide berth. Even he had already imagined his ending: vanishing alone amid the affairs of state.

Then one day, he ran into a young woman at his own residence.

She smiled and chatted merrily, her eyes practically glued to him. For the first time in his twenty-odd years, Lord Xu blushed.

On his way south to Jiangnan to investigate a case, Xu Linxiao sensed an ambush at the inn from a distance. Before he could investigate, a soft, fragrant woman threw herself into his arms. The stunned Lord Xu froze in place like a block of wood.

Xu Linxiao panicked. For the first time in his life, the man who had braved countless dangers alone allowed himself to entertain an impossible desire.

-

Pei Huaizhi had grown wild and done as she pleased. Whatever she wanted, she always got.

But the gentleman she had set her sights on would rather risk his life for her than be with her.

Pei Huaizhi couldn't understand it, and she didn't want to try anymore. Taking advantage of the dark of night, she drugged him and tied him up.

With the shadows of the curtains swaying, she gazed at the handsome young gentleman beneath her, his expression restrained, and coaxed him softly. "Be good. I'll give Second Young Master a proper title."

As she leaned down to kiss him, a broken "No" escaped his lips.

A forcibly picked melon isn't sweet, so Pei Huaizhi gave up on him.

But she never expected someone to suddenly vault over the wall and stop her in her own courtyard.

Pei Huaizhi's heart leapt, but her face remained calm and composed. "Lord Xu, what are you doing?"

The dignified, proper Lord Xu pinned her against the wall and pleaded in a low voice, "A-Zhi, you said you'd give me a title."

At first, Pei Huaizhi had only wanted to meet the person who once wielded a blade and later picked up a brush. Later, she learned that the lord was both firm and gentle, a noble character embedded deep in his very being. He couldn't even bring himself to say a harsh word to her.

He revered her as a deity, gazing up at her. Pei Huaizhi took his hand and thought: Then she'll stand with him as one, and never leave him until they grow old!

A married-life bonus scene:

One day, Lord Xu pushed open the door and found a handsome young gentleman standing in the couple's bedroom. Before him, his wife raised a hand and touched the man's chest...

Xu Linxiao felt his blood rush to his head and shouted through gritted teeth, "Get out!"

The room fell silent. The two stood facing each other, speechless, with only the scent of aloeswood lingering in the air.

Stung by her attitude, Xu Linxiao felt his heart break and demanded, "A-Zhi, after behaving like that just now, do you even consider me your husband?"

Before he could finish, Pei Huaizhi suddenly grabbed him by the front of his robe and ground out through her teeth, "Husband? You were about to divorce me on my behalf. How could I possibly have a husband?"

P.S.: The plot and romance are roughly split fifty-fifty.

A sweet little story, with a married couple who know exactly how to handle each other.

The court ranks and offices are all fictional, so please don't nitpick the historical details.

Slow burn. A gentle male lead, the kind who's gentle only to the female lead.

Both are virgins, 1v1, happy ending.

Theme: Live well.