Du Lingjing had no intention of pursuing a high-ranking marriage in the capital because she detested the capital’s intrigues. She had been engaged before, but after her fiancé passed away, she had no intention of remarrying.
Marquis of Yongding, Lu Shenru, held the highest position of power in the capital, but the position of his wife remained vacant, and all the prominent families in the capital were eyeing his marriage.
He was a stranger to her, distant and unknown, and she had no intention of exploring him. But the powerful Marquis of Yongding was to marry her by imperial decree.
The entire city was astonished. High-ranking families in the capital all speculated that this marriage was a ploy by the palace to balance the court.
After marriage, he was gentle and considerate. He was a perfect husband in every way. Du Lingjing could only do her best to be a respectful and loving wife to him.
But one day, she suddenly learned that when the Emperor inquired about a marriage alliance, the Marquis discarded all the other candidates and specifically wrote down her name to present to the Emperor.
She was coerced into this marriage by the Marquis himself!
(Credit : LeonParenzo)