After I Provoked the Mad Young Lord

Coming soon: Spring's First Stirring. Please add it to your collection!~

Xiao Danyun is the concubine-born daughter of the Deputy Minister of Revenue. Her birth mother died young, and she has always kept her head down and stayed within the rules.

The day before her coming-of-age ceremony, she overhears her stepmother and father discussing how, afterward, they will marry her off as a second wife to the Duke of Chen, a man over fifty who has already buried four wives, hoping to climb the Duke's family tree.

Xiao Danyun sits quietly through the night and comes to a decision. Rather than be used as a tool, she might as well take a chance and secure a good future for herself.

She investigates the eligible young men of the capital and finally settles on the second son of the Chancellor as her target. He is well-read and kind-hearted, and his family has strict rules. If she shares an intimate moment with him, he will surely come to ask for her hand.

But after the Peony Banquet, the person who arrives in the side room is not the second son.

For some reason, the wine meant for him has ended up in the hands of Chu Muyuan, heir to the Prince of Huai'an.

After their reckless encounter, Chu Muyuan grips her by the throat. "You dared to scheme against me?"

Xiao Danyun shakes her head desperately. "I didn't! I swear! You weren't the one I meant to scheme against!"

But Chu Muyuan suddenly changes tack. "What? You think I'm not good enough for you?"

Xiao Danyun: ...? Help!

Chu Muyuan is notorious in the capital as a madman. Rumor has it that he took charge of the prisons just to indulge his twisted passion for killing. He personally executes prisoners, laughing in a way that sends shivers down your spine. Even dogs passing by are too afraid to bark.

Xiao Danyun thinks she's doomed. She spends two days on pins and needles, only to receive news that Chu Muyuan is coming to propose.

After they marry, apart from their wedding night, Chu Muyuan sleeps in his study and is always out early and back late.

After several days of trembling with fear, Xiao Danyun finally relaxes.

But the prince's grandmother often nags her about producing an heir, and it gives her a headache.

One day, she bravely tugs at Chu Muyuan's sleeve. "Could you come home early today, Heir? There may be a thunderstorm tonight, and I'm a little scared."

Chu Muyuan fixes her with his wolfish eyes for a moment, then answers, "Mm."

That night, a thunderstorm rages.

In their room, beneath the fragrant, warm bed curtains, Xiao Danyun begs for mercy with tears in her eyes.

Chu Muyuan ignores her pleas.

After Chu Muyuan goes to the Xiao family to propose, everyone in the capital waits to see what will become of Xiao Danyun after she marries the madman. Will she waste away, or end up a shadow of herself?

But when they see her again, her cheeks are rosy, she is dressed in fine robes and glittering jewels, and her slightly rounded belly radiates happiness.

And that madman Chu Muyuan, hearing her call him "Husband," obediently reaches out to help her.

- One-on-one romance, both leads' first relationship

- Neither lead is perfect

- A sweet romance focused on feelings, with the plot serving the romance

- Short, only a little over a hundred thousand words

Coming soon: Spring's First Stirring

Yan Xizhao, the eldest daughter of the Yan family, is beautiful and talented in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The Empress Dowager personally arranges her marriage, and she becomes the wife of Pei Zhuyi, young lord of the Marquis of Zhenbei's household.

On their wedding night, urgent news arrives from the northern frontier. Pei Zhuyi leaves the capital with his father to fight the enemy. He is gone for three years.

During those three years, Yan Xizhao diligently cares for her mother-in-law, maintains the marquis household's connections with dignity, and manages the estate so well that everyone praises her as a virtuous and capable wife. Only she knows how hard it has been. Her heart is full of grievances, but she has no one to tell.

The day after Pei Zhuyi returns to the capital, Yan Xizhao places a divorce agreement before him.

Pei Zhuyi tosses it into the incense burner and watches it burn to ashes. "Anything but this."

Yan Xizhao deliberately provokes him. "In that case, I want to find myself two handsome young men."

Pei Zhuyi, his expression icy, replies, "Granted."

Yan Xizhao: ?

She refuses to believe him and actually finds two handsome young men.

Pei Zhuyi comes as soon as he hears. The two young men see him, drop to their knees, and beg him to spare their lives.

Yan Xizhao fumes. "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you intend to watch?"

Pei Zhuyi: "I could."

Yan Xizhao: ??

-

At a spring appreciation banquet in the third month, a sudden drizzle begins. A woman in green passes by with an umbrella, silver bells jingling softly at her waist.

Pei Zhuyi watches her for a long time. He sees her laughing and chatting with others, her smile lingering in his mind. When he asks around, he learns she is Yan Xizhao, the eldest daughter of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' Minister.

He asks the Empress Dowager to arrange their marriage. But when war breaks out in the northern frontier, he has no choice but to leave his new bride and go to the front.

He knows how hard things have been for her and feels guilty. He will give her anything she wants, except a divorce.

But when she really wants to seek pleasure with someone else, he finds himself growing jealous. If those useless, pale-faced scholars can make her happy, why can't he?

He is her lawful husband, after all!

Theme: Seize the moment and work hard