(Reading guide: One-on-one romance, both leads are each other's only partners, no misunderstandings or love triangles. The heroine is strong and the hero is comparatively weaker. The hero is a normal man, not a whimpering type, and has principles, more or less. The heroine is strong from the start, with a high-status background, martial arts skills, and a calculating mind. She isn't exactly a good person, at least not by conventional standards. Author's note: This book isn't good, and I can't hide that. Please, everyone, don't read it.)
In the eyes of the people of the capital, Ran Chaoyan is a flirtatious princess. To the First Prince's faction, she's a thorn in their side. To the Second Prince, she's a powerful ally. And to Lan Yu, her male companion, she's the savior who rescued him years ago and the woman he loves but dares not dream of having.
Princess Chongxiao conceals her cunning as she plunges into the capital's turbulent web of intrigue to avenge her mother. She should have to walk the road of vengeance alone, with no one by her side. But an unexpected breeze stirs the cocoon around her soul, and one man stands before her, willing to risk everything, to hold her hand for life.
Six years ago, Lan Yu was saved by Ran Chaoyan, and the first stirrings of love took root in his heart. But when hardship forced him to sell himself, the Jingyang Marquis's household bought him. He thought he would never see Princess Chongxiao again, until an accident led his master to give him to her.
Ran Chaoyan: “Lan Yu, do I look good?”
He nods eagerly.
Ran Chaoyan: “I want to hear you speak.”
Lan Yu leans close, whispering against her ear: “You look beautiful, Your Highness. You're beautiful in every way.”
I didn't think it was good-looking at first, but after seeing this, I found it quite interesting. The inner expressions of each character and the implications of their words are still interesting.