Spring Creek Nourishes the Willows

Chunxi pretends to marry Master Zhang in order to find her parents. On her wedding day, some random man calls her his brother-in-law, and she then learns that there is a man in the capital who looks exactly like her.

Could her parents have another child besides her? Did they abandon her to go find their son? No way. She has to find them and get some answers.

After getting nowhere asking around, she has no choice but to secretly follow him.

On his way back to the capital, Zhao Yuanhui comes across a local gentleman forcing a commoner girl into marriage, so he decides to intervene. But when he enters the bridal chamber, he finds his future brother-in-law dressed in a wedding gown: the handsome man who has never once been nice to him.

After returning to the capital, he never expected Du Chunxi to show up at his future in-laws’ home. With nothing better to do, Zhao Yuanhui starts visiting the Wei residence often. But he isn’t there to see his fiancée. He’s there to drink tea and play chess with his “brother-in-law.” In reality, he’s teaching her how to pass as the Wei family’s “eldest son.”

From being furious enough to see stars to going mad with longing if he doesn’t see her for a day.

Zhao Yuanhui indulges her as she turns the Wei household upside down. Rumors spread through the capital that Marquis Dingguo and his future brother-in-law have a secret they can’t let anyone know.

Everyone laments: how could the refined, cultured Lord Zhao possibly…

Chunxi grits her teeth to herself. Refined and cultured, my foot. It’s all an act. Zhao Yuanhui is a bastard.

Zhao Yuanhui lets the rumors run wild, then pressures her to marry in her younger sister’s place. Chunxi refuses, and Zhao Yuanhui gives her a sinister smile. “You think you can use me and then toss me aside? I’m not made of clay.”

*A sweet slice-of-life story

*Set in an imaginary dynasty

Next novel: Three Talented Members of One Family in the Imperial Exams. Everyone is welcome to add it to their collection.

Shen Moxuan transmigrates into the body of the legitimate son of a down-on-his-luck noble family. The moment he opens his eyes, Father Shen says, “Study, study. My son must study.”

Oh, come on! I’ve only just been born! Later, after listening to his father go on and on, he learns the truth: the Shen family is about to lose its title. Unless someone passes the imperial exams and restores the family’s standing, they’ll be reduced to commoners and sent back to farm.

At his first-birthday grab ceremony: he grabs silver, but it hurts his teeth, so they take it away; he grabs a sword, but it’s dangerous, so they move it out of reach; then they force a copy of the Analects into his hands. Little crawling Shen Moxuan lies down. He’s done grabbing things.

His elder half-brother, Shen Moyan, spends all day practicing with weapons and knows nothing about books. His second brother, Shen Mowen, is set on being a wastrel and ranks at the bottom of his academy. Little Xuan sighs, picks up a book, and gets ready to handle things himself.

Later, he discovers that both his brothers have real potential. Shen Moxuan: Hmph. Let’s all work hard together!

His eldest brother wants to join the frontier army. Shen Moxuan: “No, you’re taking the military exams.”

His second brother wants to coast through life. Shen Moxuan: “Not happening. You’re taking the civil service exams.”

His brothers: “What about you?”

Shen Moxuan: “I’ll supervise.”

Shen Moyan is a doting older brother, and Shen Mowen fears neither their father nor his eldest brother, but he’s terrified of his little brother.

Years later, the Shen family produces three brilliant talents, one after another. The emperor personally bestows a plaque on them, and Father Shen walks with a spring in his step.

Yang Yunshu: “I have a good eye, don’t I? I picked you out early.”

Shen Moxuan replies fondly, “Yes, yes. You’re even more impressive than a top scorer like me.”

Theme: Carry hope in your heart and keep moving forward