CompletedAlso known as "Shan Shan Marries Liang" and "Daily Life of an Ancient Lady Painter."
The younger brother experiences a marriage of convenience, followed by a love chase and a "crematorium" (painful pursuit of reconciliation). The elder brother attempts to seize his brother's wife (but fails). The main text is written in the third person.
Updates are every other day at 3 PM.
Regarding Xue Shanhe, the Resilient and Independent Daughter of a Criminal Official: When I was almost reduced to an official slave, forced to serve men, it was Old Master Liang who saved my life. Therefore, I'm willing to do anything to repay his kindness.
It's alright if Liang Shao doesn't like me. It's also alright if we sign a divorce agreement on our wedding night. As long as Old Master Liang doesn't worry and lives a few more healthy years, I'll do anything.
For two years, I cared for the gravely ill Old Master Liang while secretly saving money. Once the Old Master passed away, I would honor my promise and leave with the divorce agreement. I planned to return to Jinling, rent a small courtyard by the Qinhuai River, and live by selling paintings. That sounded quite good.
The day after the Old Master's burial, I asked Liang Shao for the divorce agreement. His eyes widened, and his voice almost cracked, "You want a divorce?!"
He threw a huge tantrum and stormed out. But later that evening, he tiptoed into bed and hugged me, "Shan Shan, Grandfather's greatest wish was for us to have a child of our own. Let's fulfill the old man's dying wish before you leave, okay?"
Regarding Liang Shao, the Tsundere "Puppy" Doted on by his Grandfather and Brother: I, your young master, hate being controlled the most! If it weren't for Xue Shanhe, I would have decided my own marriage!
However, she is quite sensible. She readily signed the divorce agreement on the wedding night and even promised to leave immediately once Grandfather was gone. Good. I'll give her more money then, so she won't disgrace her status as my ex-wife.
It's just... having a woman in the house really feels different. My protective soft armor needs pink flowers and green leaves embroidered on it, and I need to bring a good luck charm when I go on official business... Tsk. She even secretly saved money, and only after much pressing did she shyly say, "I wanted to save some money to buy a top-notch soft armor for Second Master. When Second Master goes to Beimian in the future, it can protect him."
Would I, your young master, care for something bought with her small amount of money? That night, the wind was strong, and the divorce agreement blew over the candlelight, quickly turning to ashes. Oh well, if it's burned, it's burned. Writing another one would be too troublesome.
Regarding Liang Ye, the Upright and Self-Restrained Third-Place Scholar Brother: The first time I saw her, she was sitting beside Ashao, demure, with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair. I heard the servants say that her family was from Jinling, the only descendant of Grandfather's most favored student from years past. After her family was raided, Grandfather saved her so she wouldn't be enslaved.
I also heard that Ashao didn't like her, and he married her because Grandfather traded a chance to gain experience in Beimian for this marriage. But she seemed quite good to Ashao. When Ashao was drunk, she personally brewed hangover soup; when Ashao was injured, she cared for him tirelessly for two months.
Until that day, I accidentally found the divorce agreement in Ashao's study. So, all of this was just an act to repay Grandfather's kindness. Foolish Ashao, truly living in a blessed state without realizing it.
Later, after Grandfather passed away, she knelt before me: "I want to divorce Ashao, please help me, elder brother." Xue Shanhe, you came to my door on your own initiative.
Trigger Warnings: 1. Numerous private settings. 2. The female lead's profession: an ancient lady painter (doing *that* kind of painting...). This novel is primarily focused on romance, with a smaller proportion dedicated to career. 3. The younger brother's storyline is primarily before VIP chapters, with the elder brother's storyline beginning after, and the elder brother's role will be more prominent overall.
Keywords: Palace nobility, market life, melodrama, marriage before love, love chase crematorium. Characters: Xue Shanhe, Liang Shao, Liang Ye. One-sentence summary: The young general experiences a love chase "crematorium," and the third-place scholar tries to seize his brother's wife. Theme: If for freedom, all things can be cast aside.
.