The Prince Wants to Go Straight, but the Princess Won't Let Him

[Timid, sweet matchmaker] [Substitute romance] [Marriage first, love later]

Chu Yao owns Tiancheng Pavilion, a matchmaking shop in Great Jin.

Her specialty is background checks by way of acting like a lovesick puppy. She checks them out, then runs, and she's never once failed.

That is, until a mysterious female client asked her to investigate Mu Qing, a handsome newcomer to Jicheng.

The client held out gold, blushing as she asked, "Do you know if Mu Qing is... any good in that department?"

Chu Yao looked at the gold and nearly ground her teeth to dust. "...I'll find out."

*

A month later, she sat on the bed with her back aching, one hand propping up her head as she gazed at Mu Qing's profile.

How could she let someone else have such a gorgeous and capable man?

In the end, she picked up her pen and wrote four words:

Mu Qing is no good.

*

Chu Yao happily headed home with a thousand gold pieces. On the way, she saw Commander Tan's convoy from Bianjing drive straight into Mu Qing's private residence.

Her face darkened. So Mu Qing was actually Commander Tan's kept man?

She'd picked up a man, so she hurriedly forged a new identity and prepared to run.

*

But that night, Mu Qing suddenly appeared at the Chu residence and backed her into a corner.

Chu Yao gave him a quick peck on the lips. "It's not that your big sister doesn't want you. Your background is just far too complicated. Be good and stay with Commander Tan."

As she turned to leave, Mu Qing grabbed her by the wrist. "Boss Chu, you personally inspected the goods and still said I was no good. Isn't it a bit unfair to slander this commander?"

Chu Yao was stunned!

It turned out Mu Qing was only an alias. He was Tan Mu, commander of Great Jin's Red Robes Guard and head of the Tan family.

Chu Yao's mind flashed through all the outrageous things she'd done. She quickly dropped to her knees, looking timid and helpless. "Please spare my life, Commander Tan!"

He closed his eyes helplessly. "Your man ran off with my bride. So this wedding..."

She looked up. "I'll take her place and bow!"

*

Later, all of the capital said Commander Tan had married a little matchmaker, and that his ancestors' graves must be smoking with good fortune.

Only Tan Mu knew that her biggest worry every day was how to stop herself from pouncing on him.

[Please Note]

1. Happy ending, both leads are virgins, both are strong

2. Updated daily

3. Set in an alternate history, so don't nitpick historical accuracy

4. The female lead can make money, and she's very good at it, but she has a minor problem

(Copy of the blurb saved on 2026.7.6. Plagiarism will be pursued.)

The prince likes to hug her from behind...

Xiao Chengyan is a natural-born genius who has never lost a battle.

A single fire years ago made his title, the Ashen Prince, known far and wide. His enemies feared him, and even the emperor was wary of him.

Gu Jinghong was afraid of him too, but the thing she wanted was something only he had.

So she steeled herself, played the role of his white moonlight, performed seductive dances, and catered to his tastes. She'd worry about everything else after getting her hands on the treasure.

She finally made it to their wedding, only for him to say he was marrying someone else?

Could it be that he'd seen through her all along and let her put on a one-woman show?

Everyone waited for her to make a fool of herself. Instead, the deputy head of the Abyssal Pavilion, the martial world's largest intelligence hub, appeared before her and bowed in submission.

It turned out that the mysterious master of the Abyssal Pavilion, who had never revealed their identity, was this young woman.

Gu Jinghong stroked the lapel of Xiao Chengyan's robe, her eyes full of affection.

"Listen. No one can turn down the person the master of the Abyssal Pavilion has set her sights on."

A year later, the Abyssal Pavilion's influence had grown even greater. Mechanisms and firearms, secret passages and intelligence, the flow of gold and silver: everything was inescapably connected to its mysterious master.

The ministers reported, "The Abyssal Pavilion is growing more powerful by the day. The court should send troops to suppress it."

Xiao Chengyan, seated at the highest place, lazily lifted his eyes. "Are you tired of living, or have I... lived long enough?"

As it turned out, even after gaining the throne, he still went to the Gu residence at dusk to wash his hands and cook for her.

Gu Jinghong was quite easygoing about it: A handsome man was nice to have around the house, if only for the view.

Xiao Chengyan, however, wasn't having it. He reached out and pulled her against him by the waist. "When will you become my empress?"

She looked at him. "If you work hard enough, an iron rod can be ground into a needle."

He frowned, his breath turning dangerous. "A needle?"

[Reading Guide]

→ Happy ending

→ Jilted bride on the wedding day

→ A satisfying queen's revenge story

→ The male lead's journey to win her back

→ A battle between equally matched leads

Theme: What you cannot have is precious