The Beautiful Beggar Marries into the Villain's Lair

(1)

During the spring hunt in the twenty-eighth year of Qiyuan, Xuan Yao disguises himself as a beggar to carry out a mission.

By chance, he witnesses Pei Zhang, heir to the Duke of Cheng's household, defy the emperor's decree to marry. The emperor flies into a rage, then points at Xuan Yao and orders him to marry Pei Zhang instead.

Xuan Yao: "???"

Everyone knows the Duke of Cheng's household is full of demons!

The old duke is cold and brutal, and loves his drink more than life itself. The eldest son wields great power and hides a knife behind his smile. The second son commands the imperial guards and is bloodthirsty and ruthless. Even Pei Zhang, just seventeen, is cold-hearted to the bone.

Xuan Yao: I'm doomed!

On their wedding night, his bargain husband lifts his veil and studies him for a few seconds before warning him coldly, "We'll give it two years. Once the court has settled down, I'll ask for a divorce."

"Keep your head down. If you provoke anyone else, you'll lose your life, and I won't plead for you."

Xuan Yao looks at him, grins, and obediently nods.

From then on, the Duke of Cheng's household knows no peace.

(2)

Pei Zhang had thought the pretty little beggar was meek and timid, but he never imagined how badly he'd misjudged him!

At home, Xuan Yao leads the servants in chasing rabbits and smashes a jar of wine treasured by the duke. He catches the poisonous snake raised by his eldest brother and roasts it for a snack, then treats his ruthless second brother like a horse and rides on his back.

At the Imperial Academy, he climbs onto the roof, stirs up trouble with the chickens and dogs, tugs the headmaster's beard, and leads a crowd of noble students into mischief, leaving their teacher fuming and tugging at his whiskers!

At first, Pei Zhang watches coldly from the sidelines. He even thinks that with this little troublemaker stirring things up, the household feels a little less gloomy and lifeless.

But then...

He sees Xuan Yao coaxing his eldest brother into sharing pastries, then turning around to sling an arm around his second brother, as familiar and affectionate as can be. Outside the walls, his classmates from the Imperial Academy are lined up to give him the latest novelties...

The young man is carefree and radiant, like a little sun, never sparing his light and brightening the entire Duke's household.

Only with him, his husband in name, does he behave with perfect propriety, never crossing the line.

(3)

When their two years are up, Xuan Yao seeks out Pei Zhang and hands him divorce papers, watching eagerly for him to sign.

Pei Zhang looks at the people trailing behind his little wife. Every one of them is glaring at him, waiting to take Xuan Yao home with them as soon as he signs.

Pei Zhang shuts the door with a cold expression, then turns and pins the unsuspecting Xuan Yao against the wall. His eyes redden, his voice turns hoarse. "Xuan Yao, you can be kind to everyone in the world, so why leave me behind?"

"I won't divorce you."

"Please... look at me."

Reader's Guide:

1. I wanted to write a frail, self-destructive little sun, so there are some descriptions of illness and weakness.

2. Both are virgins, 1v1, marriage first and love later. They are each other's only partners in body and heart. A young married couple falls in love after the wedding.

3. The recipient is doted on by everyone.

Theme: Do good, and good will come to you.