A flirtatious, cunning beauty who knows exactly how alluring she is, like a fox x a possessive, lovesick, gloomily obsessed ghost of a man
(I)
Gu Yaoyue, the only granddaughter of the Grand Secretary, was born into an illustrious family and possessed beauty that could topple kingdoms. Yet she was a notorious flirt, frequenting brothels and keeping male lovers on the side.
Still, when word spread that the Gu family was seeking a husband for her, young gentlemen from across the city flocked to apply. Even Shen Shuwang, Vice Censor-in-Chief, sent in his calling card.
Everyone was stunned. Weren't those two sworn enemies?
Sure enough, two days later, Miss Gu was seen dragging Vice Censor Shen back to her home in broad daylight.
Everyone said Gu Yaoyue was taking revenge.
But no one knew that as Lord Shen lowered his eyes, his bound wrists in her grasp, they were full of triumph. Deeper in his gaze lurked a nearly crazed longing.
(II)
After one wild night, Gu Yaoyue felt that Shen Shuwang was like a ghost, haunting her wherever she went.
She went to buy rouge, only to find Shen Shuwang, who never set foot in shops like that, already there. The style he picked was exactly the same as hers.
Gu Yaoyue: "?" What was with him today?
She went to the theater to see a show, and the owner said a fine private room had been reserved for her in advance. But behind the door, Shen Shuwang was waiting, perfectly at ease. "Miss Gu, what a coincidence."
Gu Yaoyue: "..."
She stepped into a brothel, only to find him gripping her waist and pulling her into his arms.
He buried his face against her neck, his voice hoarse and restrained. "Gu Yaoyue, stop looking at everyone else. Just look at me, all right?"
Gu Yaoyue raised an eyebrow and lifted his chin. "In what capacity does Lord Shen think he can tell me what to do?"
The words cut Shen Shuwang to the quick. Eyes red, he bent down and bit her lip. A sick, choked sob escaped between his ragged breaths. "You can only look at me. Don't look at anyone else..."
(III)
Everyone in Ding'an City knew that Vice Censor Shen was as refined as the moon and breeze. He had won the top honors in all three imperial examinations at the tender age of twenty and risen to a high position among the ministers.
But no one knew what kind of delusions he harbored in secret.
He had fallen in love with Gu Yaoyue at first sight back when he studied under Grand Secretary Gu.
She was a moon in the heavens, beyond his reach, and the woman he could never have.
But the moon refused to look his way. That day in the courtyard, she had smiled brightly and said, "Me and Vice Censor Shen? We're sworn enemies, of course."
He hated her, resented her, loved her to the bone. Why did the moon hang so high, casting her light on everyone, yet never shine on him?
[After Marriage]
One day after their wedding, Shen Shuwang was unusually quiet. At last, he muttered, "Wife, do you not love me?"
Gu Yaoyue: "?"
He pulled his collar open, his eyes full of grievance. "Why do you never leave any marks on me?"
Gu Yaoyue was baffled and slapped him without hesitation.
He let out a breathy laugh, took her hand, and kissed it obsessively, his eyes wild with adoration. "That was good... Hit me harder next time, so the whole city can see: I'm yours."
Lord Shen, as he appears: Refined and elegant, outstanding in both looks and talent, a gentleman who has risen to the highest ranks at a young age.
Lord Shen, in reality: Wife, don't talk so much to other people. Stop looking at everyone else. Wife, look at me.
[Reader's Guide]
1. This story is entirely fictional, with many original worldbuilding details, so please don't overanalyze them.
2. The heroine's reputation has its reasons, explained in Chapter 1. Both leads are virgins and devoted exclusively to each other. The hero is chaste and a model of virtue.
3. Though the hero is a gloomily obsessed ghost of a man, he respects the heroine very, very, very much. He only indulges in dark thoughts in private; there will be no non-consensual romance (though perhaps there might be a little something, hehe).
Theme: Love should be expressed openly
