CompletedSynopsis: Marriage first, then love | Wife-chasing crematorium | Forcible possession | 80% anti-piracy
Next story: "Running to My Deceased Husband's Brother" or "Spring Courtyard Regret," please collect~
When Shen Mi was fifteen, her father and brother died in battle. Overnight, only she remained of the Shen family. Orphaned and alone, her childhood sweetheart married someone else.
To comfort the meritorious officials, the Emperor conferred upon her the title of Jia Ning township mistress and decreed a marriage to the Crown Prince, Gu Zhan, as his concubine.
Gu Zhan, the legitimate eldest son of the current Emperor, was appointed Crown Prince in his youth. He was dignified, upright, and steady, possessing a virtuous reputation.
Shen Mi knew she had no support in her current situation, so she put away her former self and acted gently and considerately towards Gu Zhan.
Though Gu Zhan held no marital affection for her, their relationship was one of mutual respect, which she found sufficient. She even began to develop feelings for him.
Therefore, no matter how late Gu Zhan returned from handling state affairs, she would patiently wait with a lamp, never urging him or losing her temper.
Before long, she became pregnant. Everything was going too smoothly, making her believe that her life still held hope. However, the imperial physician's diagnosis of "false pregnancy" shattered all her illusions.
Gu Zhan said coldly, "I despise deception more than anything in this life."
This was her first experience with such an event, and she didn't realize she was being framed. She tugged at Gu Zhan's sleeve, wanting to explain, but he violently threw her hand away.
From then on, all her previous careful efforts became useless.
*
She originally thought Gu Zhan was born with such a cold and aloof disposition. But one day, she went to his study to deliver soup and overheard his conversation with a subordinate.
"Miss Su and His Highness were childhood sweethearts with deep affection. Does His Highness wish to submit a memorial to welcome her as the main consort? Or directly establish her as Empress after ascending the throne? After Concubine Shen has a child, their son can be raised by Miss Su."
She cautiously waited for Gu Zhan's reply.
Instead, she heard Gu Zhan say, "I will consider this matter further."
Shen Mi froze completely, then quietly left with the soup she had personally prepared.
That night, Gu Zhan did not return to their chambers as usual. Shen Mi, however, did not sleep at all.
She was once pampered by her father and brother, treated as their precious pearl. She was not born inherently quiet and uninteresting.
She, who once never lifted a finger to do chores, had learned excellent cooking skills to survive under Gu Zhan's roof.
She thought that sincerity could move mountains, but she didn't expect that Gu Zhan wouldn't even want to leave her anything.
She shouldn't have harbored any illusions about Gu Zhan.
She began to plan how to escape this man-eating Eastern Palace.
*
Initially, Gu Zhan had no real feelings about the arranged marriage. He merely thought that if the Shen氏 was willing to be obedient, it would be harmless.
After marriage, Shen氏 was indeed as he expected: obedient and sensible. Thus, he found the fear of a wife and the chaotic bickering of other married couples utterly nonsensical.
However, one night when he returned home a little late, he heard news of a fire in their sleeping quarters. By the time he rushed over, the pavilion had collapsed. His Shen concubine was buried within, her remains not even forming a complete body.
His heart felt an emptiness. From then on, he found it increasingly difficult to sleep at night. Only by holding the sachet Shen Mi had embroidered for him did he feel slightly better.
Four years later, he was ordered to quell a rebellion and stopped at a teahouse in Runzhou while passing through.
The teahouse proprietress served him tea, saying, "Please enjoy, sir."
When he looked up, he met those eyes he had longed for day and night.
He grabbed the person's sleeve and softly called out her childhood nickname: "Zhi Niang."
The proprietress hastily dodged, "Sir, you have the wrong person..."
He curved his lips slightly, "Since you believe I'm mistaken, why do you avoid looking at me?"
A resilient white flower x a cunning Crown Prince.
Content warnings:
1. 1v1, double virgin, HE (Happy Ending).
2. The Eastern Palace only has the female lead. The matter of her being a concubine is related to political considerations mentioned in the main text; do not take it out of context.
3. The male lead is a remnant of feudalism, has no feelings for the female lead initially, and does not behave properly. He will face retribution later; proceed with caution if this bothers you.
4. If you feel uncomfortable, please exit promptly. Do not announce your departure.
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Pre-order: "Running to My Deceased Husband's Brother" Synopsis
Gentle and resilient noblewoman x cunning and sinister warlord.
Nine years after marrying her husband, Ying Laiyi was forced to separate from him due to war, and her husband's fate was unknown. While fleeing from rebels, she escaped into Liang Prefecture, held by the renowned and meritorious General Lu Ce.
Lu Ce was her husband's half-brother. It was rumored he was an outcast in the family in his early years, which led him to abandon literature for the military. After ten years of campaigning, he had become a regional lord.
Initially, Ying Laiyi was worried that Lu Ce would resent her due to the mistreatment he received from the Lu family in the past. Therefore, she always restrained her demeanor and spoke cautiously in front of Lu Ce.
Lu Ce also never called her "Sister-in-law," only referring to her as "Miss Ying."
She knew she was already living under someone else's roof and dared not ask for more. She could only think of Lu Ce in all matters, large and small, to repay his protection.
*
Before coming to Liang Prefecture, Ying Laiyi had heard that Lu Ce was ruthless. At first, she thought it was a rumor. It wasn't until she received news of her husband and intended to go to him, but was stopped by Lu Ce, that she realized she had never truly known Lu Ce.
Lu Ce asked her, "Where are you running off to? Didn't you promise me you would stay?"
She sensed Lu Ce's improper intentions and replied with pursed lips, "Lu Ce, I am your sister-in-law."
Lu Ce, however, cornered her against the wall, "We are both of the Lu clan. If older brother can, why can't I?"
*
From having nothing to becoming a warlord in chaotic times, Lu Ce never paid heed to romantic affairs.
Until he saw that young woman among a group of disheveled refugees and his heart stirred.
He pointed in her direction from afar, and his subordinates understood, making an exception to let her into the city.
At first, he merely intended to use Ying Laiyi's name for reputation and to gain popular support for his ambitions.
Later, he put on the act of a proper gentleman in front of Ying Laiyi and executed a subordinate who coveted her. Yet, she still planned to look for that useless brother.
In that case, he couldn't be blamed for building a golden cage for her, ensuring her eyes and heart could only see him.
Gentle and resilient noblewoman x cunning and sinister warlord.
Content Tags: Palace Marriages, Heaven-Made Match, Official Romance, Marriage First, Love Chase Crematorium.
Shen Mi, Gu Zhan
Others: Marriage first, then love; wife-chasing crematorium.
One Sentence Synopsis: Marriage first, then love; wife-chasing crematorium.
Core Idea: The starting point of love is respect.