Xue Baochun is a concubine-born daughter who uses her wits to marry into a powerful family. But on her wedding day, her legitimate-born elder sister switches their matches, forcing her to marry the paralyzed heir of the Marquis of Yongyi, supposedly to bring him good fortune and provide an heir.
The marquis’s household is valued by the emperor and beloved by the people. She even has an adopted son who is already dutiful. Apart from her husband being paralyzed and unconscious, Xue Baochun thinks things are not too bad.
There is just one problem... consummating the marriage might be difficult.
Still, Xue Baochun takes it in stride. After marrying into the household, all she has to do is wait for her husband to die, then she can sit securely as the marquis’s wife.
*
Shen Xingzhi is peerlessly handsome, accomplished in both letters and arms. He fought on the battlefield to protect his family and country, only to be gravely wounded and left paralyzed.
The lofty flower has fallen overnight. Unable to move or speak, he is at the mercy of Xue Baochun, a lowly concubine-born girl who takes advantage of him.
Shen Xingzhi tenses up. This is intolerable... but fine, he will put up with it.
During their marriage, Xue Baochun treats him fairly well. Since she has stayed by his side, once he wakes up, he will treat her with mutual respect.
But he finds it hard to say so. “I’m used to being alone and don’t like people waiting on me. Move to another courtyard today.”
Xue Baochun nods obediently. “All right.”
“I’m usually busy with work. Don’t come looking for me unless you need something.”
Xue Baochun nods again. “All right.”
“If you need money, take it from my storeroom. You don’t need to ask me.”
Xue Baochun accepts the keys. “Mm.”
For over a month, Xue Baochun never once seeks him out.
At night, Shen Xingzhi tosses and turns, recalling the warm days when they shared a bed. Maybe having someone else around... wouldn’t be so bad.
He rarely visits Xue Baochun’s courtyard, but one day he happens to hear her comforting their adopted son: “Your father and I have no affection for each other. We were bound to be unhappy together. But Mother loves Lian’er most of all. After I’m gone, you must grow up well, spend your father’s money, inherit his title, and then come back to be filial to me, so I can live like a grand old lady.”
Shen Xingzhi: “...”
Later, he makes a full recovery. His wife, along with his money and their adopted son, asks for a divorce: “Now that the heir has recovered, the purpose of the lucky marriage has been fulfilled. Please let me leave, and may we each live in peace.”
Shen Xingzhi: “...”
Should he become paralyzed again? Or...
“Come to my room tonight to get the divorce papers.”
That very day, Xue Baochun happily packs her things and goes to his room. But there are no divorce papers. Instead, he kisses her onto the bed, and she cannot get up for three days and three nights.
Wasn’t he supposed to be an aloof beauty? Wasn’t he supposed to have no feelings for her?!
*
Xue Mingyue thinks that after switching marriage partners with her half-sister and escaping the paralyzed young marquis Shen, her life will be wonderful. She never expects to have jumped straight into a fire pit, suffering torment after torment.
Meanwhile, her once most inconspicuous half-sister is doted on like a precious jewel after the young marquis recovers, becoming the envy of all the young ladies in the capital.
Xue Mingyue grits her teeth. She got a second chance at life, so how did she choose wrong again?
#The lofty flower everyone adores finally takes the biggest fall of his life
Note:
1. Age gap + size difference, substitute bride + marriage first, love later + husband pursues wife after marriage
2. Both are virgins; the son is adopted
3. The heroine is a beauty who grows on you, a delicate little schemer with ideas of her own and a fairly optimistic outlook
4. The hero is stunningly handsome and exceptionally skilled in combat, the ancient-world equivalent of a national heartthrob and everyone’s dream man
Theme: Survival and growth
Renouncing Your Grace
Concubine
A Dark Moonlight's Guide to Taming a Dog
The Dread of the Boudoir
The Honest Wife Coveted by a Hypocrite
My Scheming Older Brother Has Been Plotting This for Ages
The Virtuous Wife Is Coldhearted
Dew on Red Blossoms
Plucking the Water Lily
Winning the Nobles' Favor
The Pearl-Adorned Concubine
Murder in the Spring Palace