Shen Yunying had a face like a hibiscus flower, charming and voluptuous—a classic beauty in the making.
Although she had a Grand Tutor for a grandfather, her father died young, leaving her and her mother to live like two invisible people in the Taishi Mansion.
Fortunately, her mother possessed a generous dowry and had a broad-minded nature. Shen Yunying was raised to live a life of leisure, letting nothing trouble her heart—a true slacker. Her mother, a widow for many years, thought this was for the best. One’s own comfort is what matters most. Men? Not worth getting too worked up about.
On the eve of Shen Yunying’s coming-of-age ceremony, her mother had already set her sights on her own nephew as a potential son-in-law.
However, man’s plans are no match for heaven’s. Yan Peifeng, the capital’s most eligible bachelor, was going to take a wife!
Yan Peifeng was the Emperor’s own nephew, but his marriage had been delayed due to a period of mourning. Now, the Empress was personally hosting a Flower Appreciation Banquet, inviting all the noble ladies of the capital to the palace.
Shen Yunying was forced to attend just to make up the numbers. Who would have thought she would be the one muddle-headedly chosen for the marriage?
After a brief moment of surprise, Shen Yunying accepted her fate.
Marrying Yan Peifeng meant she wouldn’t have to serve parents-in-law or elders, nor would she have to deal with concubines and maids. She could still live a good life.
Yan Peifeng was gentle and proper, wholly devoted to his political affairs. He would visit the Rear Courtyard punctually on the first and fifteenth of every month. Shen Yunying lived a wonderful life as a little noblewoman of the capital, even returning to the Taishi Mansion from time to time to visit her mother.
But one day, the humble and gentlemanly Yan Peifeng suddenly had a change of heart. He began visiting the Main Residence daily, completely exhausting Shen Yunying! After fretting for a long time, a golden opportunity finally fell from the heavens: Yan Peifeng was to leave the capital to take up a post as a provincial official.
A clever idea struck Shen Yunying. She seized the chance to announce that she was pregnant and that it was inadvisable for her to travel far.
Alas, she was forcibly carried into the carriage. Yan Peifeng patiently coaxed her, “The scenery at West Lake is delightful. Haven’t you always wanted to take your mother to see it? I will speak with the Taishi Mansion on your behalf, how about that? And I won’t bother you with any of the Rear Courtyard’s affairs; I’ll handle them for you.”
Shen Yunying’s beautiful eyes widened slightly. That sounded acceptable.
The result was that the news of Yan Peifeng’s boundless devotion to his wife spread far and wide, becoming the envy of all.
——
Yan Peifeng was full of ambition, but because he had been in mourning for five consecutive years, he was long delayed in entering officialdom. The moment the mourning period ended, his uncle, the Emperor, ordered him to marry first.
Yan Peifeng looked coldly at the flock of chattering women and casually pointed to the quietest one, Shen Yunying. All he required was for his Rear Courtyard to be quiet, sensible, and free of drama.
Shen Yunying was perfectly qualified, except she seemed a bit too infatuated with him. But Yan Peifeng didn’t mind.
Until one day, he saw his usually sensible and well-behaved wife showing the same solicitous care to a handsome young man, her smile radiant and her eyes full of affection. In the shadows, Yan Peifeng snapped the Wolf Hair Brush in his hand.
#TheAloofBeauty’sSelf-InitiatedRomance
#TheGentleAndProperManFightsAndCompetes
