Marrying a Playboy

Yun Zhi had a large family. Quiet by nature, she was often overlooked.

Her mother felt sorry that she had no father to stand up for her, but would also tug her ear and scold her for not making something of herself.

Yun Zhi never argued. She only pressed her lips together and smiled.

While others competed for their own splendid blossoms, she devoted herself to embroidering bamboo.

On the day the successful candidates were announced, she broke with her usual reserve and hurried to offer her congratulations.

She clutched the bamboo sachet she'd carefully embroidered in her hand, but behind a screen of bamboo leaves, she heard him say, "Miss Yun and I are only like siblings. Don't get the wrong idea."

That same gentle voice had once murmured tenderly on her coming-of-age day, "When Wen Zhu passes the imperial exam, I'll marry you, Zhi-niang."

Now, speaking to someone else, he laughed that she was dull and boring, and that he'd only felt pity for her.

Yun Zhi accidentally fell into the water.

In broad daylight, she was rescued by Cui Jiulang of the Cheng'en Duke's household. Everyone knew they had shared intimate contact.

A decree from the Empress Dowager bound her to this notorious wastrel in marriage.

Before the wedding, her mother held her and cried for half the night.

She said there was nothing to hope for in this life, so Yun Zhi should turn a blind eye and make the best of it.

Yun Zhi was utterly despairing, and gave a halfhearted nod.

Cui Jiulang's temper was indeed as bad as the rumors claimed.

He lifted her veil. The young man, bright as the sun and stars, met her tear-reddened eyes, paused, then put on an impatient expression. "Why are you crying? I don't mind that you tried to die for love."

Later, he even pinched her cheek and threatened her fiercely. "You are not allowed to think about that man while you're with me."

.

Wen Zhu's greatest regret in life was letting down his childhood sweetheart, who had only ever had eyes for him.

Climbing to the top branch of a royal household wasn't easy. Given Yun Zhi's nature, he assumed she was having a hard time without him.

On the occasion of the Cheng'en Duke's birthday, Wen Zhu brought a gift and went to pay a visit.

On the way, he imagined how Yun Zhi would tell him of her grievances when she saw him. Unable to contain his feelings, she would surely... He couldn't help smiling and shaking his head.

But in the duke's study, beyond the carved window, Yun Zhi was no longer timid. She was gentle and lovely, like a begonia in full bloom.

A handsome young man held her and wouldn't let go.

When he spotted Wen Zhu, the young man became even more brazen, holding her close against him. "We agreed I'd feed you once for every hour you practiced with the spear. Bad Zhi, don't even think you can get out of it today."

Yun Zhi's cheeks were flushed. "It's broad daylight. Th-that won't do!"

Theme: The greatest transformation is saying goodbye to who you used to be