A Proper Marriage Contract

The synopsis begins with Liu Qingqing, whose mother passed away early. She grew up in the Lin family under difficult circumstances. Her father and brother were biased, her stepmother was unkind, and her legitimate sister was spoiled. Fortunately, before her mother passed, she had arranged a marriage contract for her with Xie Lang, the heir of the Marquis's mansion. They were childhood sweethearts. Although Xie Lang was cold, aloof, and a stickler for rules, he always prioritized her over his legitimate sister. She adored him and thought, couldn't she warm his heart after decades? However, she accidentally overheard him talking with her father and brother, saying, "Qingqing is gentle and elegant, but inferior to Qingying." Qingying was that good? Everyone doted on Qingying. She originally had only him, but now she had lost everything. Her heart grew icy cold. That night, she hid in the bamboo forest and wept bitterly. The last tie binding her to this prosperous capital was gone. If she was inferior to Qingying, then she would give Qingying to him. Xie Lang noticed his wife had changed. She began to refuse intimacy, which they had had twice a month. She used to dislike being in the spotlight, but now she would hide in back alleys to chat with her cousin who had returned from the northwest, and accept a brocade box from him. He had someone fetch it at night; inside were three exquisite pills. He sent a servant to fetch a physician to verify them. One was for contraception, one was for faking death, and the purpose of the third was unknown for now.

Another day, he heard his wife probing her younger sister. "If I were gone, would you be willing to enter the mansion to accompany the Lord?" Her sister shyly responded, half-refusing, half-inviting, "What kind of companion?" His wife's smile remained as gentle as ever, "Of course, the kind of companion one grows old with, staying together forever." Behind the bamboo forest, Xie Lang crushed a teacup. Didn't she know the meaning of a first wife? The story is slow-paced, set in an alternate historical period, focuses on emotions, and has a Happy Ending.

Pre-order "Forgetfulness River": Liu Xiyue and Xie Lancuan were childhood sweethearts with deep affection, and their families were awaiting their union. Disaster struck, and Xie Lancuan, as expected, shielded her with his life. Liu Xiyue emerged unharmed, but Xie Lancuan fell into a coma. Upon waking, he suffered brain damage and could no longer perceive emotions, including his love for Liu Xiyue. He was a gentle and self-disciplined gentleman. After waking, he treated her kindly as always, but both were exhausted. A winter and summer passed, and he suddenly became distant and cold, saying, "I cannot mislead you like this. You should find a gentleman who truly loves you," rather than being by his side, always feeling dejected. "Truly loves you? Who else could it be but him?" she said, "I don't mind." "But I do," he repeated softly, "I do." Later, she fell and her skirt was soaked with blood. She sent a servant to find him to pick her up. He didn't come. By the time the blood had congealed, and dawn broke, she still hadn't seen him. That night was truly cold, just like his heart. She decided to comply with his wishes, grant him freedom, and accept her elders' arrangement to travel south to Jiangnan to recuperate. Xie Lancuan heard that the Liu family was looking for suitors for her, including the new noble General Fu and Young Master Li from the Grand Tutor's mansion, all good families. She had been delayed by him, and this was how it should be. But why did his heart ache so much when she was boating on the lake with someone else? They met again at a spring banquet when Liu Xiyue, mistakenly drugged, stumbled into an empty palace. Hearing someone follow behind, she quickly turned around and saw him. She used her remaining strength to close the door, her voice sharp, "Don't come over!" She bit her trembling lip and said, "Please have Lord Xie help me find him. General Fu or Young Master Li from the Grand Tutor's mansion would do." "Find someone for what?" he heard himself ask softly. She didn't answer him, but let out a choked sob, like the song of a spirit bird. Xie Lancuan, his hand on the door, froze and clenched his fist, then suddenly laughed. They could all do it, but he couldn't?