The Stand-In Heir's Consort

A marriage in someone else’s place, and a price to pay.

The emperor’s daughter won’t marry, so they put a man in the bridal sedan instead. They call it “marrying in your sovereign’s place” and say it’s your good fortune.

But he’s a man! Well, technically, he’s a fake man.

Sent far away to another country for a political marriage, she becomes the linchpin of three kingdoms’ interests. The more she tries to escape, the tighter the trap closes around her.

What can she do? She only wants to be a quiet, handsome man.

This young master has never liked being controlled by others. If you come at me, I’ll block you! If you retreat, I’ll advance!

Let’s see who becomes whose cage in the end, and who becomes the other’s destined calamity.

A little scene:

“All the so-called coincidences in this world are deliberately arranged by someone,” she said. “Like this time, and the last time. If you weren’t following me, I don’t believe we’d just happen to run into each other.”

He agreed. “I’m gratified that you understand my painstaking efforts.”

Could you be any more shameless?

The truth showed her this was only the beginning. There was no such thing as the most shameless, only someone even more shameless, shamelessness taken to a whole new level.

“Let go!” she said coldly.

“A beauty hardly ever throws herself into my arms. How could I disappoint her heartfelt admiration and spoil the scene?” He curved his lips. “Look, what a lovely night, and such a rare moon. Why don’t you and I...”

“I’m a man!” she shouted.

“I know.” He smiled again. “At this point, are you still questioning that?”

“...”

“Let’s just rest here.”

She was utterly flustered. How had she ended up knowing such a shameless bastard?