Humiliating the Cold and Aloof Top Scholar

Chasing the wife to the crematorium | Substitute trope | Rekindled love

[Elegant, proper, obsessive top scholar x sweet, sunny princess]

Dai Xiang saw Pei Jing for the first time at court and fell in love at first sight.

Backed by the emperor's favor, she threw her weight around until she forced her father to change who she was to marry.

On their wedding night,

Pei Jing stood fully dressed, his expression distant. "I have no romantic feelings for Your Highness whatsoever."

He was like a wooden post, dull and stiff.

Dai Xiang lifted her chin slightly. "You. Go get a bedroll."

Pei Jing: ...???

A substitute thought he could share the bed? Dream on.

If not for that face, why would she have given him the time of day?

The day Pei Jing took an arrow for her, his fringe was smeared with blood. He looked utterly disheveled, his breath ragged.

Dai Xiang's tears streamed down her face. Her voice choked with emotion. "Your face is ruined." (Now you don't look like him.)

Pei Jing let out a long sigh and gathered her into his arms.

Later, she smiled brightly as she nestled beside another man.

From a distance, he looked about half like Pei Jing.

Pei Jing's fingertips went white as he dug them into his palm, drawing blood. His heart sank like a stone.

So one man was merely a stand-in for another. Which one was the stand-in, and which one was the real thing?

Theme: Those who love me will prosper