Warm Lotus Curtains, New Bride: The Princess Consort Has Been Replaced

[Scheming and sweet + 1v1, mutually devoted + Favored by the male lead] For the sake of her mother and younger siblings, Ling Zhi has no choice but to accompany her legitimate older sister to the prince’s residence as part of her dowry, becoming a substitute concubine on the very first night of the newlyweds’ marriage. She only plans to wait until the wedding night is over, take the money, and flee with her family. But then she discovers that her older sister never intended to spare her life. Ling Zhi can only cry, pick herself up again, and take the initiative to win her husband’s favor so she can secure a place for herself. When her older sister’s servants beat her, she goes to cry in front of her husband. When she steals her older sister’s favor, she goes to cry in front of her husband. Even after she has avenged herself and secured her safety, she still goes to cry in front of her husband. Just as Pei Ji decides that his adorable little concubine cries far too much and prepares to hand her the throne of empress, he discovers she has packed her things and is planning to sneak out of the capital. Pei Ji chases after her in a fury. “I went to all that trouble to arrange for you to come here as part of the dowry, and now the empress of the empire is running away? What’s that supposed to mean?” Ling Zhi gapes at him. “Arrange?” Pei Ji shamelessly admits, “Yes! From the moment I first saw you, you stole my heart. You’re the one I’ve always wanted to marry!” Ling Zhi sets down her bundle and listens as he tells the story. Pei Ji’s expression suddenly softens. That year, the pond was thick with lotus leaves. Pei Ji had just turned down a marriage arrangement with Ling Tan, but after seeing her only once, he decided he had to scheme to bring her to his side...