Latest Novels

On the day of the Xie family eldest grandson's grand wedding, the Old Madam, harboring selfish intentions and favoring the third master Xie Shao, worried that he was too lazy and would eventually squander the family fortune. Having heard that the eldest daughter of the Wen family was skilled in managing a household, she secretly swapped the grooms.

Unexpectedly, the Wen family also had their own plans.

Wen Shuse, the legitimate granddaughter under the Wen Old Madam's care, possessed exceptional beauty but was spoiled since childhood. Worried that she would be looked down upon by her husband in the future, and having heard that the Xie family's eldest grandson was gentle and considerate, the Wen Old Madam, despite bearing criticism, pushed her into her elder sister's bridal sedan.

That night, the sarcastic taunts of the Xie family's first branch could be heard through the bridal chamber.

Under the red candles, the dissolute young master and the delicate young lady stared wide-eyed at each other, neither able to fault the other. Both resigned themselves to their fate, their only comfort probably being each other's good looks.

After marriage, the two maximized their disadvantages, living a hand-to-mouth existence.

Wen Shuse never complained, but every time Xie Shao returned at dusk, he would see her looking at the first branch's courtyard next door, fanning herself lightly, her face filled with longing: "I really wish I could smash this wall. If I can't eat, at least I can smell it."

Since she was with him, he couldn't possibly let her starve to death. The next day, Xie Shao entered the study for the first time, to copy books.

But Wen Shuse wasn't just a delicate character; she was a bottomless pit.

"Sister-in-law's new ruqun (traditional Chinese dress) today is so beautiful."

"Little uncle gave my sister-in-law a pair of earrings yesterday; I've never seen such white jade in my life."

"Husband, do you know that the silk fan Miss Wu used today was actually made of gold?"

Xie Shao: ......

Xie Shao gritted his teeth and climbed off the soft couch.

Later, when Xie Shao handed her the imperial mandate of a first-rank lady, he couldn't help but ask, "Is that enough? If it's still not enough, your husband might have to usurp the throne."

This life is truly exhausting.

*This novel's background is Tang-Song, mostly fictionalized. The main plot references the Later Tang Dynasty.

The '重' in the title is pronounced 'chong' (third tone), meaning layers of gates.

—

Next novel seeking pre-orders: "Neither Rich Nor Noble"

Qian Tong, as her name (money, copper) suggests, is the richest young lady in Yangzhou.

At her full moon banquet, a fortune teller predicted her fate.

—This girl will be either rich or noble in the future.

Qian Tong didn't believe it.

As the saying goes: wealth doesn't last three generations, poverty doesn't last five generations. The Qian family, by her generation, was exactly the third.

Upon learning that her family planned to use a mountain of gold as her dowry and marry her to the Zhizhou's (prefect's) youngest son, Qian Tong decisively refused. She went to the docks herself and scouted for the most impoverished young master she could find, then put a sack over his head.

Being prepared for danger in times of peace, she planned to sacrifice herself and marry a poor boy, thereby lowering the external hatred for wealth.

—

Xie Yuanzhen, the sole son of the current dynasty's Eldest Princess, memorized the Three Character Classic at three, could compose poetry at ten, and mastered the Four Books and Five Classics at sixteen. He was skilled in both literary and martial arts, achieving fame in his youth, and believed he had reached the peak of his life.

After toiling day and night for the emperor for four years, he received another mission.

The wealthy merchants in Yangzhou were rampant, and he was ordered to investigate discreetly.

No sooner had he arrived in Yangzhou than a sack was thrown over his head.

When he saw daylight again, a young lady peeked out from a golden glow, squinting and smiling at him, "Young master, I promise you a lifetime of glory and wealth, how about it?"

Upon first seeing Qian Tong, Xie Yuanzhen sneered inwardly, "You're exactly who I'm investigating!"

Upon seeing Qian Tong again: "Extravagant and without restraint, a ruthless merchant. Investigate thoroughly!"

A month later: He gradually began to doubt life itself.

Half a year later: "Qian Tong, where's my belt..."

On their wedding night, Xie Yuanzhen sat amidst a pile of gold until midnight, finally picking up his brush to write a letter to the emperor: "The situation is complex. To uncover the truth, your nephew has settled down here for now and will not return to court."