Marrying the Short-Lived Villain

Synopsis

After the heiress Mu Wan suddenly died from overworking, she thought it thorough and came to terms with her situation—let’s fully enjoy her second chance at life by indulging in food, drink, and leisure. To hell with work, scheming, and power struggles!
Then, because of her new carefree attitude, excessive indulgence, and idleness, her engagement was broken off.
Mu Wan: …
Then, out of the blue, an imperial edict came, arranging her marriage to the powerful but intimidating Marquis of Zhenbei—clearly intended as an insult to him.
Mu Wan: ???
Her reborn half-sister arrived, gloating: “So what if he’s tall, elegant, and handsome? Marquis Zhenbei is cold towards women, ruthless, and bloodthirsty. He killed the Empress Dowager and the puppet emperor to put his nephew’s on the throne, but he died on the battlefield later. Even if you don’t die, you’ll soon be widowed, my dear eldest sister.”
What Mu Wan heard amidst the unintelligent noises: Marquis of Zhenbei, put his nephew on the throne, and then died…
So, in a few years, she would inherit both an emperor nephew and all the Marquis’ wealth?
What a stroke of luck! She’s in!
***
Zhenbei Marquis Manor indeed needed a figurehead mistress, so Xie Heng made a strategical decision to marry the easily controlled daughter of a lowly merchant family. It was nothing more than a political move; he treated her as a convenient pet, like a house cat.
But to his surprise, this delicate little cat wasn’t one to be bullied. He couldn’t hit her, nor could he outsmart her in arguments.
Xie Heng began to suspect that she was out to annoy him to death.
One day, Mu Wan sighed: “The Chi Ling Tribe may be barbaric, but their gemstones are truly beautiful.”
Xie Heng, with a cold voice: “So you really wish for my death, don’t you?”
Mu Wan: ???
Later, Xie Heng led his troops to conquer the Chi Ling tribe and threw their royal family’s treasures at Mu Wan, sneering: “Sorry to disappoint you, but this Marquis will live a long life.”
Mu Wan: ???
That same day, Xie Heng lay in bed, flushed and gritting his teeth: “This Marquis will die at your hands sooner or later!”
Mu Wan: …
It was just a simple wound stitching. There’s no need to make it sound so suggestive—her medical skills are great, okay?
Everyone said Marquis Zhenbei Xie Heng was ruthless and cold, and the people he despised the most were those cowards who indulged in pleasures. Yet, when death loomed over him, his first thought was: If he died, who would bring home the tribute fruits for that house cat? Would she be bullied? Who would take good care of her?
He realized then that he must survive, so he could protect her, ensuring she would live a long life, filled with prosperity.
[Cold-hearted, aloof cat-like beauty female lead vs. Crazed, ruthless but secretly tsundere male lead who only softens for her]