Old-World Charm 古色古香

1. 51 怎 How Could She Not Be Loved, So Charming and Beautiful? 怎敌她千娇百媚 Yiren Kui Kui伊人睽睽Romance809k WordsCompleted Taking leave on August 1: The ending is near, but I'm badly stuck. I'll update again at 2 p.m. A cousin from a fallen aristocratic family, unrelated by blood, calculating and eager to marry into wealth, VS her black-hearted cousin who despises her Luo Lingyu: My parents are both dead, my family has no influence, 165.5kFavorites293.6kClicks/ch91.2kGifts

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   Luo Lingyu, an orphaned daughter of a fallen aristocratic family, lost both her parents and her family fell into ruin. She took her younger sister to live with her cousins, the Lu family, in Jianye. She was clear-headed, realistic, and "scheming and self-serving," with a clear goal—to marry into a high-ranking family, protect her sister's safety, and escape her fate of living under someone else's roof. Lu Yun, the third young master of the Lu family, is cunning, sharp-tongued, and from a prominent family. He saw through her "opportunism" at first sight, and was full of disdain and wary of her, believing that she was a gold digger who wanted to climb the social ladder. Their first encounter was marked by enmity, yet they ended up living in the same house. She used all her charms to seduce and test him, and although he outwardly expressed disdain, his gaze unconsciously followed her. Their interactions were ambiguous and tug-of-war, and though his heart was as hard as iron, he ultimately succumbed to her allure. From mutual scheming to mutual entanglement, their story ended in a sweet and fulfilling conclusion.

2. 52 缔 Bound in Marriage 缔婚 Fa Cai法采Romance531k WordsCompleted [The simplified Chinese edition under the same title is now available from major platforms.] The Xiang family falls from grace. The head of the family goes from being a respected, upright official to a corrupt one whom everyone condemns. Xiang Yi is left helpless, struggling to get by with her young siblings. She digs up an old engagement agreement with Tan Ting, the eldest son of the influential Tan family, and personally goes to their door. As soon as word gets out, everyone mocks the Xiang f 170.3kFavorites271.4kClicks/ch45.7kGifts

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   Xiang Yi, the legitimate daughter of an official, lost her family after her father was falsely accused of corruption. She struggled to raise her younger siblings alone. To protect her family and turn the tide, she took the initiative to propose marriage to Tan Ting, the eldest son of the prestigious Tan family, based on an old agreement between her parents. Tan Tingqing is aloof and burdened with heavy family responsibilities. He is full of prejudice against Xiang Yi, the "daughter of a disgraced official". Although he agrees to the marriage, he is sent away from home for three years after the marriage, and he is indifferent and distant towards her. Xiang Yi was clear-headed and insightful, viewing marriage as a transaction. She dutifully fulfilled her duties as a matriarch, managing household affairs and secretly supporting her family, remaining neither servile nor arrogant. It wasn't until Tan Ting returned home and, due to prejudice, tacitly allowed the clansmen to publicly audit her accounts and humiliate her that Xiang Yi proved her innocence. Only then did he suddenly realize his mistake, feel ashamed and moved, and begin his clumsy yet obsessive pursuit of her. From prejudice and indifference to deep affection and doting, from a transactional marriage to a sincere commitment, the two join hands to clear Xiang's father's name, overcome family crises, forge a lifelong bond, and embark on a journey of mutual love.

3. 53 衡 Beneath the Hengmen 衡门之下 Tian Ruyu天如玉Romance425k WordsCompleted (The print edition is now available.) After the imperial clanswoman Qi Chi has her engagement broken off, she marries Fu Ting, a man of humble origins who commands a powerful army. The two live far apart, one in the south and one in the north, content to remain husband and wife in name only for a long time, until one day, Qi Chi travels a thousand miles to find her husband and starts investing heavily in him... [We may have had no fate together, but I made it happen by spending money.] P.S. Thi 172.2kFavorites368.3kClicks/ch81.5kGifts

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   Li Qichi, a member of the imperial clan and a princess of Qingliu County, lost her father and brothers at a young age and her royal family declined. After being jilted, she was ordered to marry Fu Ting, the Anbei Grand Protector who came from humble origins but held significant military power in the north. On the night of their wedding, he rushed back to the northern frontier. For three years, the two were nominally husband and wife, living apart in the north and south. To protect her young nephew and secure the royal palace, Qi Chi, with her vast fortune (a hidden wealthy woman who had been doing business for many years), traveled thousands of miles north to catch up with her husband. With war and plague raging in the north and the treasury empty, she embarks on a "spending lavishly to win him over" campaign: repairing his mansion, opening trade routes, providing disaster relief, and purchasing military horses to help him solve his food and military needs, employing a combination of targeted poverty alleviation and heart-to-heart manipulation along the way. From being bound by interests to falling in love, the two of them worked side by side to quell the war, stabilize the northern frontier, and maintain order in the court. Under the humble gate, they could finally find a place to stay. We were not meant to be, but it was all thanks to my money.

4. 54 公 The Duke House’s Ideal Daughter-in-law 公府佳媳 Plum Blossom Calyx of Jiangnan江南梅萼Romance623k WordsCompleted Coming next: Red Beans Grow in the Southland. Zhao Huanxi, the eldest grandson of the Duke of Jing's household, is noble and beautiful. Confined to the inner quarters and lacking ambition, he's good for nothing but his looks. At sixteen, he married Xu Nian'an, the daughter of a late Doctor of the Five Classics. Xu Nian'an is capable and sharp-minded. After marrying into a distinguished family, she falls out with her wicked aunt by marriag 178.6kFavorites268.8kClicks/ch145.5kGifts

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   Xu Nian'an (18 years old), daughter of the late PhD in Five Classics, is clear-headed, resilient, shrewd and capable, and supports her family. Zhao Huanxi (16 years old), the eldest grandson of the Duke of Jingguo's family, is beautiful and delicate, spoiled and pampered, and ignorant of worldly affairs. Due to an old agreement from their parents, the two married. Before the marriage, they agreed to "divorce within three years." After marriage, the female protagonist disciplines her husband, manages the household affairs, and tears apart her awful relatives. He went from being a clingy, crybaby, and clueless boy to being taught by her to be polite, ambitious, and skilled in both literature and martial arts; she went from being a high-status married orphan to being doted on by her mother-in-law like a daughter. Together, the couple slapped away ridicule, stabilized the government, and jointly managed the household. Three years into their marriage, the boy had grown up and remained devoted to her. All the other women in the capital only recognized her. Their love was mutual, enduring, and they would grow old together in happiness.

5. 55 凤 The Phoenix Returns to Court 凤归朝 Meng Xishi梦溪石Romance768k WordsCompleted [Complete] Ten years ago, the Emperor’s eldest daughter was sent far away to marry into the Rouran. Ten years later, the Western Rouran was conquered by the imperial court. The princess submitted a request to return to the capital and retire there. The new emperor granted her wish and ordered the Marquis of Ruyang, Liu Fu, and Lu Wei, Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to go escort her home. People said that although the princess was still a noble daughter of the imperial family, 66.9kFavorites69kClicks/ch74.7kGifts

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   Zhang Yuwan, the eldest princess of the Northern Dynasty, went to the Rouran for a political marriage ten years ago. After the Rouran were destroyed, she requested to return to the capital to live out her old age under the pretext of being a "widow with no one to rely on," but in reality, she was hiding her true strength and was a shrewd and calculating woman. Lu Wei, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is a man of refined demeanor yet cunning and treacherous nature. He is ordered to escort the princess, but his initial intention is merely to take advantage of the situation for personal gain. The road back to the capital is fraught with danger: assassinations, poisonings, and a series of unsolved cases follow one after another. The two, each with their own agendas, are forced to join forces, unraveling court conspiracies and the dynasty's deep-seated problems. From mutual distrust to entrusting each other with their lives, they ultimately return to the court as a powerful duo.

6. 56 璧 Perfect Match 璧合 Fa Cai法采Romance647k WordsCompleted [Complete] [Arranged marriage to love, bittersweet tension, and a husband chasing his wife] Blurb: Deng Ruyun came from the countryside and had a humble background. She was lucky enough to marry the youngest general in Xi'an Prefecture. Who wouldn't say she had a windfall handed to her by the heavens? How could she possibly be so lucky? Deng Ruyun merely smiled when she heard these com 67.7kFavorites86.4kClicks/ch22.9kGifts

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   Deng Ruyun, a pharmacist from a once-wealthy family, was burdened with the heavy responsibility of supporting her family. In her youth, she had secretly admired the young general Teng Yue. Teng Yue, the youngest general in Xi'an Prefecture, is handsome, brave, and has a bright future. Because his mother was trying to avoid trouble, he was secretly married to Deng Ruyun, who came from a "lower social class," without knowing that it was a three-year contract marriage. After marriage, she adhered to the contract, deliberately distancing herself and keeping her distance; he misunderstood her as cold, lazy, and scheming, and even sent her away at one point. When the contract expired and the divorce became a reality, she left gracefully. Only then did he belatedly realize that he had fallen in love, embarking on a clumsy and obsessive pursuit of her. From misunderstanding to deep love, from a contract to a true and perfect match.

7. 57 一 A Cup Of Love 一瓯春 You Sijie尤四姐Romance469k WordsCompleted The glory of my past was something you never got to share. All the glory that lies ahead will have something to do with you. *The print edition is now available from major online retailers. *An alternate universe with a mishmash of dynasties. *Find all my completed works here: Theme: 116.4kFavorites337.7kClicks/ch106.4kGifts

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   Xie Qingyuan, an illegitimate daughter of the Xie family, was abandoned by her mother after she was falsely accused. She was left to wander among the common people from a young age. Fourteen years later, she was brought back to the mansion to "protect the house" because of her "prosperous family destiny," but in reality, she was neglected. Shen Run, a second-rank palace commander, is cunning, domineering, and ruthless. He was once treated coldly by the Xie family, but he fell in love with Xie Qingyuan at first sight and plotted step by step to "steal" her as his wife. He helped her overturn her mother's case and escape the power struggle within the family; with her intelligence and resilience, she became his only exception and his Achilles' heel. "You were not there for my past glory; my future glory is all thanks to you."

8. 58 韶 Radiant Springtime 韶光艳 Laughing Beauty笑佳人Romance467k WordsCompleted A young cousin named Yu Ningchu came to the Pingxi Marquis’s residence. With snowy cheeks and flowerlike beauty, she was the most beautiful woman in the capital, and all the young masters in the family doted on her. There was also a young cousin named Song Chi at the Pingxi Marquis’s residence. Handsome, distinguished, and noble by birth, he was admired by all the young ladies in the family. Song Chi was proper and courteous in public, but in private he liked to behave improperly toward his yo 108.6kFavorites228.2kClicks/ch61.1kGifts

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   Yu Ningchu, the granddaughter of the Marquis's family, lost her birth mother at a young age and was mistreated by her scumbag father and stepmother. She was almost married off to an old man, so she sought refuge in the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion. She was the most beautiful woman in the capital, clever and sensitive, and knew how to play dumb to outsmart others. Song Chi, the cousin of a marquis, is of noble status, handsome appearance, upright in public, and cunning in private. He falls in love with Yu Ningchu at first sight and secretly provokes her, plotting step by step. In the beginning, she deliberately avoided him, but he seized her by force; later, he used his power and influence to achieve great things, humbled himself, pursued his wife relentlessly, and protected her in every way. In the end, he ascended the throne and made her his empress, and they remained a couple for life.

9. 59 小 Little Cardamom 小豆蔻 More Than Just a Cabbage不止是颗菜Romance397k WordsCompleted [The new historical romance, A Phoenix in Another’s Nest, has begun.] At the Lantern Festival, the emperor and empress hosted a banquet in the imperial garden. Ostensibly, it was a celebration for the court and its sovereigns to enjoy together. In truth, Prince Dingbei was choosing his future princess consort. At the banquet, Yingying, daughter of the Marquis of Cheng’en, bowed and offered to perform A Misty River. When she finished, she added coyly, “This humble woman is unworthy of the honor. 575.8kFavorites791.9kClicks/ch199.8kGifts

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   Ming Tan, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jing'an, is delicate, charming, and playful. Her original marriage agreement was broken by a scumbag. Jiang Xu (Prince Dingbei), the war god of the capital, is a ruthless, taciturn, and straightforward man. Due to an accident, he received a favor from Ming Tan and took the initiative to ask for a marriage decree to protect her under his wing. A marriage of convenience that blossoms into love, from repaying a debt of gratitude to falling in love: she tries hard to play the role of a dignified princess but frequently embarrasses herself; he, a cold-faced war god, is completely powerless against her, with a sharp tongue typical of a straight man, but doting on her excessively in his actions. "Not ugly at all, I think my wife is very beautiful." A rough-and-tumble prince meets a delicate little drama queen, their daily life after marriage is so sweet it's almost sickening.

10. 60 长 Long Wind Crossing 长风渡 Mo Shubai墨书白Romance978k WordsCompleted [P.S. The editor asked me to tell you that both volumes of the print edition are out. Remember to buy them.] (Former title: Marrying the Playboy) For fifteen years, Liu Yuru was the model young lady, all so she could marry a good husband. But on the eve of her engagement, she was forced to marry Gu Jiu Si, the most notorious playboy in Yangzhou. Marrying a man like that would ruin her life. And after she married him, she learned that he had been forced to marry her, too. Liu Yuru was utterly 672.2kFavorites1.3MClicks/ch502.6kGifts

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    Liu Yuru endured fifteen years of hardship, striving to be a model young lady and hoping to marry a good man, but she was forced to marry Gu Jiusi, the number one playboy in Yangzhou. Neither of them wanted to get married. Three days after the wedding, she stormed into a brothel with a knife to "punish her husband," thus beginning a life of marriage first, love later, and mutual support. From a playboy in Yangzhou to a high-ranking official in the imperial court, from a sheltered young lady to a remarkable businesswoman, they went through family upheavals and the chaos of war together, from naive and unruly youths to standing shoulder to shoulder across the world, becoming each other's salvation and faith. "May I be like the long wind, carrying you across ten thousand miles."

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