After the Black-Bellied Minister Married into My Family

Gorgeous, career-driven family heiress × a gentle, sickly scholar who is far too good at acting #He began weaving his web on the night he married into her family# #A scheming male Omega flirts back with a female Alpha# An upcoming novel is mentioned at the end: an icy couple falls for their nemesis, a marriage that turns to love. Please add this to your reading list! Shen Yuluan, future head of the richest family in the Zhou Dynasty, chose an obedient man to marry into her family. His family background was spotless, his education decent, and his frail health made him easy to control. But no matter how long you raise a wolf, it will never become a dog. In the pouring rain, he stood amid a pool of blood, sword in hand. His pale face revealed nothing. The words "disaster relief funds" on the secret letter in his hand were glaringly clear. At last, she saw the deadly blade concealed beneath the scholar's skin. He drew his blood-soaked sword, intent on purging the court and bringing peace to the people. But the Shen family was among his targets. So be it. They could divorce. The scholar, who had always been docile, suddenly turned cold and seized her wrist. "We are one as husband and wife. Where do you think you're going, my lady?" In the next instant, the corners of his eyes reddened. He rubbed against her fingertips, his voice hoarse. "Qingqing... don't go..." Lu Huaijun, Vice Minister of Revenue, disguised himself as a poor scholar and married into the Shen family to investigate the disappearance of the Yellow River disaster relief funds. He had come to find the fatal ledger containing evidence of corruption. But as time passed, he willingly fell for her fiery, beguiling eyes, like crabapple blossoms in full bloom. He had thought she cared only about running the Shen family's business and took no interest in anything else. Until he saw her gradually begin to do what she could for the people. Only then did Lu Huaijun realize what a piece of tempered gold he had found. Later, when she saw through his lies, he tried everything he could think of. With a cold expression, he pinned her against the desk. "You are not allowed to leave." Shen Yuluan sneered and pushed him away before walking out. His hands trembled slightly as he held out a hairpin and coaxed her softly. "I carved the crabapple blossom at its center after slicing my fingertips seven times." He tried to place it in her hair. "A crabapple hairpin suits you best, my lady." Before he could finish, she flung it hard to the ground. Lu Huaijun's heart sank further and further. He tried to please her, act cute, and get her to stay with him when he was hurt... Shen Yuluan remained unmoved. Until that day... Thunder cracked overhead. He could no longer care about appearances. Like a wounded beast trapped in a cage, he bent over her knees, his voice choked with tears. "Qingqing, please be a little kinder to me..." As he spoke, he took her hand and pressed it to his feverish cheek, the tips of his ears bright red. As candlelight flickered, she suddenly curled her fingers around the hand he had been rubbing against. Lu Huaijun lowered his eyes to hide his triumphant smile. All right, plan successful √ From then on, he was doomed to a life of acting cute (not really). By day, the Vice Minister of Revenue denounced corrupt officials. By night, he nestled on his wife's lap, reviewing official documents beneath the vivid color of her painted nails. He even wrapped his arms around her neck and nuzzled into it. "I raided three corrupt officials' estates today..." He took her fingertips and guided them along the embroidered patterns on his official robes to his Adam's apple, his breath burning against her skin. "What will Qingqing reward me with?" Note: His clingy side is gradually revealed, and only in front of the heroine. He is capable of solving problems, not a kept husband. * They test each other in the beginning, then join forces to build their careers. * The disaster relief funds case runs throughout the story, with multiple subplots involving salt and iron smuggling, collusion between officials and merchants, and corruption in the grain transport system. [Reading Guide] The author can't please everyone. If you really can't keep reading, please don't force yourself. Feel-good novel, two strong leads. Happy ending, both leads sexually inexperienced. Neither lead is perfect. The dynasty is fictional, modeled on the Tang. Traditional Chinese medicine information comes from the internet, and the story takes many liberties, so please don't expect historical accuracy. Men and women are relatively equal under the system, but the belief that men are superior to women still exists. Theme: A woman's right to choose should not be restricted by her gender.