[Palace intrigue / possessive love / not each other's first / melodrama]
Ruan Ningyao, the beautiful younger daughter of the prefect of Jiangzhou, has long been betrothed. But then she meets a certain someone and is forced into the palace. That might have been acceptable in Jiangzhou, but once she's in the imperial palace, she has no intention of settling for the lowly rank of beauty.
Jin Huaijing, emperor of the Yang Kingdom, has always had everything handed to him. Born into power and privilege, he's cold and ruthless. Whatever he wants, he gets. Meeting her is the one unexpected turn in his plans.
A little scene:
The Swallow's Whisper Pavilion, the most luxurious tavern in Jiangzhou.
The emperor, traveling incognito, idly turns a wine cup in his hand, his expression indifferent. He spots a charming young woman playfully flirting with the man across from her. He scoffs. Jin Jinghuai finds it all tiresome, until her captivating smile makes his heart itch. He catches the faint sound of her tender, gentle words, and tightens his grip on the wine cup. Jin Jinghuai's eyes flicker. His subordinates understand at once.
That one glance is all it takes to force Ruan Ningyao into the palace.
