[Gentle and virtuous x aloof and cold] (This might be the one.)
[Blurb]
Fu Lanjin is the youngest son of the Grand Preceptor, of noble status and broad learning. At a young age, he became an Assistant Director of the Imperial College. His aloof nature and coldness toward others have kept him from becoming engaged.
One day, at the birthday banquet of Old Madam Sheng, Fu Lanjin followed his father's instructions and went to pay his respects. But someone schemed against him, and he ended up sleeping with a daughter of the Chu family. With no other choice, he sent a betrothal gift and married her.
In his eyes, the woman was nothing but an opportunist trying to climb the social ladder. She seemed mild-mannered, but was really a scheming snake with a gentle face. She looked guileless, yet had all the tricks and schemes one could ask for.
Now that he had married her, it was only to fulfill his obligation. As long as she behaved herself, he wouldn't mistreat her, much less show her any affection.
After the wedding, they treated each other with courtesy. Amei was gentle, quiet, and well-behaved, never doing anything out of line. She was also meticulous in looking after him. But Amei was so mild-tempered that she showed no emotion at all around him, like a lifeless doll.
One night, he came home late and saw Amei weeping over her desk. Her slender body trembled uncontrollably, yet her quiet sobs hadn't woken anyone else.
He slowly clenched his fists, and suddenly felt moved.
Later, when Amei became pregnant, he finally realized he had never married her out of a sense of duty. He had done it for his own selfish desire.
"Yucheng has many beauties, more than enough to fill the ranks of the most renowned. That daughter of the Chu family is only somewhat famous."
Fu Lanjin had paid no attention to those words before his marriage. Afterward, he decided Amei was the most beautiful of all.
In his eyes, everyone else was merely a foil. No one could compare to his wife, not even by half.
Note: Both leads are virgins; face-slapping story; marriage first, love later.
(First draft: January 15, 2025. Revised: January 27, 2025. Finalized: March 3, 2025.)
Theme: No ill intent
