A fiercely career-minded (fake) traditional widow of a sister-in-law X a scheming top-ranked scholar who loves playing the harmless fool
Zhaolu had barely married into the family when her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and husband all passed away one after another, leaving her to become the household's head at a very young age.
She turned away matchmakers and drove off the uncles and aunts who wanted to seize the family estate. Zhaolu swore she would shake off the title of jinx: first, she would protect the Lan family's businesses; second, she would raise her younger brother-in-law, Lan Yun, and find him a good match so the Lan family could prosper and carry on its lineage.
Zhaolu made good on her promise, bringing in money hand over fist for the Lan family's accounts. Lan Yun did just as well, placing third in the imperial examinations at the age of eighteen.
But when the Chancellor tried to choose a son-in-law from the top candidates, Lan Yun refused.
When a princess wanted to marry down and join the family, Lan Yun refused that too.
Zhaolu decided she'd spoiled Lan Yun too much, which was why he was so willful. So she made the decision herself and betrothed him to a daughter of the Jin family.
They'd grown up together, so surely he'd be satisfied now, right?
Lan Yun was silent for a long while before nodding. "I'll leave it all to you, Sister-in-law."
But on the night of the wedding, Lan Yun crawled out from under Zhaolu's covers.
In the eyes of the world, he was a cold and heartless top scholar, but with her, he was...
Pitiful: "Sister-in-law, I'm scared."
Taking advantage: "How do I consummate the marriage? Teach me, Sister-in-law."
Wanting more: "A Yun hasn't learned yet. Can we do it one more time? ^^"
.
Lan Yun and Jin Liangyu can't stand each other, but in his sister-in-law's eyes, they're... madly in love?
He agreed to the marriage so that no noblewoman could marry into the family and bully his sister-in-law. But why did Jin Liangyu agree too?
Watching her cling to his sister-in-law, Lan Yun's expression turned dark.
"Hah. So she's here to compete with me for affection."
He heard the Jin family had a shady past. After taking a post at the Court of Judicial Review, he pored over old cases, hoping to find evidence that would drive Jin Liangyu out of the family. Instead, he stumbled across a wanted poster of a bandit chief from many years ago.
Why did this bandit chief look so much like his sister-in-law?
...Sister-in-law, I'm really starting to get scared.
Reading guide:
1. The heroine is a fake traditional patriarch and a real bandit. The hero is a big bad wolf who puts on an adorable little bunny act. Six-year age gap. The heroine is sexually experienced; the hero is not.
2. There is no romantic development between the second female lead and the male lead. See the main text for details.
3. An alternate universe setting. It's short, a lighthearted daily-life sweet treat (probably?).
Theme: Be yourself
