The Fake Young Master's Stubborn Husband

Ji Linyuan was the legitimate son of the Minister of Revenue, and the biggest libertine in the capital. He picked fights, stirred up trouble, and teased every cat and dog he came across. Because of him, the Minister of Revenue was impeached so often the memorials could be weighed by the pound. Then one day, a conspiracy from the past came to light, and Ji Linyuan was revealed to be the fake son who had been switched at birth with the real heir. That day, the rain poured down. The once-arrogant Ji Linyuan had his legs broken and was dumped by the city gate. From then on, he was just a beggar in the capital, and his former glory had nothing to do with him. Li Gouzi was a young man from Li Village. His father was dead, and his mother was sick. Afraid he wouldn’t be able to care for Li Gouzi properly, she spent the family’s last savings and twenty taels of silver to bring home a live-in son-in-law. But how had her son-in-law suddenly become a dragon, claiming to be the son of the Minister of Revenue? Li Gouzi had been stubborn since childhood, and people said he wasn’t too bright. All he knew was that his family had spent twenty taels of silver. After settling his mother in, he packed some provisions and set off for the capital to bring his husband back from the Minister of Revenue’s residence so they could live together. The young man ate and slept right outside the main gate, and wouldn’t leave no matter how often they chased him away. The real heir had become a laughingstock in the capital and was so exasperated he snapped, “You married into the Gu family. I’m a son of the Ji family. What good does it do you to drag me around...?” Li Gouzi thought about it, let go, and decided the man seemed to have a point. Once he’d thought it through, Li Gouzi went to find his husband at a ruined temple. He pulled back the shoulders of one beggar after another. Someone had told him his husband had a butterfly in the hollow of his shoulder, its wings spread as if ready to fly. A little scene Something new had happened in Wangshan Village recently. Li Gouzi had gone all the way to the capital and hauled home a disabled beggar, claiming he was his husband, the live-in son-in-law his family had taken in. “Goodness, have you seen Gouzi’s husband? He’s disabled, and I hear he can’t even eat or drink by himself. Gouzi has to pry his mouth open and pour rice soup into it.” “Of course I’ve heard. The fellow has no gratitude. Gouzi feeds him, and he still curses him, telling Gouzi to kill him with a single stroke if he has the guts.” “I just came back from Gouzi’s place. He’s tied that son-in-law up with a rope and stuffed a cloth in his mouth. Gouzi said he was afraid the man would kill himself.” Later... “Oh my, Gouzi’s son-in-law washed his face. How is he so handsome? He looks just like one of those pampered city folk.” “Have you heard? Gouzi’s going door to door to tell everyone his husband gave him a new name, Jingyang or something. He says we shouldn’t call him Gouzi anymore, or his husband will be upset.” P.S. His legs will get better later, and the male lead will pursue a career through the imperial examinations. Tap tap tap, here’s another upcoming title: Husband, I Really Want to Lie Flat Xu Ye was a high-level corporate workhorse who had the honor of dying suddenly at his desk. When he opened his eyes again, he had become the legitimate second son of a marquis’s household, adored by his father, mother, and older brother, as well as the newly named top scholar chosen by the emperor. Xu Ye: Oh no. Rich heirs with money and power can lie flat, but being the top scholar seems like the start of another workhorse life. The emperor had high hopes for him. At the Qionglin Banquet, he dropped hints that he planned to send Xu Ye to a remote region. As soon as Xu Ye accomplished something there, he could be transferred back to the capital and promoted. A remote region in ancient times... Xu Ye’s eyes rolled back, and he wanted to pretend he was dead. But before he could figure out what to do, he saw a refined young man struggling in the water in the imperial garden. The young gentlemen with him hesitated, hanging back instead of going to help. “That’s... the emperor’s most beloved Third Prince,” said a young gentleman who was on good terms with Xu Ye. Xu Ye immediately understood. Under the laws of Great Qian, a prince consort could not hold office. If the Third Prince fell into the water, the rescuer would inevitably end up pressed against him, clothes and all. For the sake of their reputations, they would surely have to marry. What ambitious man with grand plans would willingly settle for being a prince consort? With a splash, everyone saw a blur. The new top scholar leaped into the water as if fleeing for his life and pulled the Third Prince ashore. Xu Ye: This cushy position as a prince consort is mine. Anyone who tries to take it from me will have to fight me for it. The current Third Prince had the empress for a mother and the emperor for a father. Spoiled since childhood, he was willful and adored handsome young men. His residence was home to dozens of male companions, every one of them a favorite. The newly appointed top scholar had saved his life, and the emperor’s wedding decree had already arrived. Looking at the male companions sobbing in his courtyard, the Third Prince promised, “Don’t worry. I’m a prince. My consort wouldn’t dare mistreat you.” The Third Prince had prepared himself for the worst. But on the second day after the wedding, Xu Ye greeted the male companions who came to serve him tea with a warm smile. He drank more than a dozen cups in one go, then earnestly advised them, “The Third Prince is of the imperial bloodline, so you must all serve him well. Now that I’ve joined this household, we’re brothers. We can play polo together sometime.” The Third Prince was so moved that his eyes filled with tears. He really had lucked out. His prince consort was the best of the best. After ten years of studying hard, Xu Ye had become a prince consort. Once they were married, he “lost heart” and never looked at a book again. The Third Prince felt so guilty that the next day he went to the palace, threw his arms around his father’s leg, and cried until he got Xu Ye a post. Xu Ye, sipping tea and listening to music: ... Later, the Third Prince stormed into the opera house with a cleaver, grabbed Xu Ye by the ear, and dragged him into the carriage. Wiping his tears as he scolded him, he said, “You’re such a rake. First the star courtesan, now an actor. I’m going to see Father and make him give you a high-ranking post.” Xu Ye rubbed his ear. “They say a husband and wife should follow each other. Isn’t that lovely?” The Third Prince was furious. “But all my male companions are gone!” Xu Ye gave an awkward smile. “Well, should I find you some more?” Suddenly, the carriage filled with wails. Xu Ye: ... Theme: Helping each other climb out of the mire.