The Moon Shines Over the Western Chamber

Coming soon: Will a Villainous Side Character Fall for the Protagonist?

Gloomy and vindictive, seemingly aloof but secretly a lunatic top × wicked little dog, an oblivious beauty adored by everyone bottom

One-line summary: The fragile beauty I rescued turned out to be my dad's wife?!

Mutual pining / falling for their own schemes / pure love disguised as forbidden romance

1.

Master Xi is past fifty and brings home a fifth concubine from the red-light district. That isn't unusual, but the whole household erupts on the day the new concubine arrives.

It turns out this "fifth concubine" is a man. He may have delicate features, a slender waist, and a lovely face, but he's still got the parts.

The second young master of the Xi family, Xi Leyan, has just returned from studying abroad. Hearing that his father has married a man, he goes to argue that it violates the laws of heaven and the norms of society.

But he stops outside his father's bedroom.

Through the half-open door, he sees a pale wrist beneath the gauze curtains.

Xi Leyan tries to look away in a panic, only to unexpectedly meet the fifth concubine's dark, beautiful eyes.

2.

Meng Yan is adrift and alone, having grown up in a brothel and endured constant scorn.

He learned long ago how to bend and yield in order to survive, so he doesn't bat an eye when the Xi family chooses him as a concubine.

He thought he would spend the rest of his life in that grand estate.

Until he met Xi Leyan.

The young man swept into his life like a gust of wind, making it impossible for him to give up on himself again.

But knowing their stations were worlds apart, he could only suppress his delusions and keep his distance.

Then one day, as the Xi family falls and the household is destroyed, the reckless young man from before grows up overnight and becomes a pillar of support in the storm.

This time, Meng Yan doesn't push Xi Leyan away.

Instead, he takes his hand and decides to leave the estate, to live for himself as well as for Xi Leyan.

[Meng Yan is like the moon reflected on water. Xi Leyan wants to scoop him into his arms, but can only shatter him into ripples.]

A fragile, aloof beauty bottom × a black-lotus younger loyal-dog top

One-on-one romance, both are virgins, happy ending.

Xi Leyan learned new things abroad. After returning home, he is full of lofty ideals and declares that men should be ready to sacrifice their lives for their country and people.

So he deeply despises Meng Yan, who is wasting his best years and choosing to sink into depravity.

Everyone can tell that Xi Leyan is always picking on this "fifth concubine."

But nobody knows that deep within the Xi family estate, the hot-blooded second young master also lowers his head and softens his voice, a teasing note hidden in his words: "Concubine, couldn't you take pity on me, too?"

Meng Yan thinks he's clearheaded, but he's already stepped into the trap Xi Leyan has woven for him.

P.S. While they are still related by marriage, the top and bottom have no romantic feelings for each other.

*An alternate history setting. Please don't scrutinize it for historical accuracy.

Theme: Save yourself