Spring Fades Again

[Possessive love and taking by force + both virgins + a tragic ending for both leads]

At just twenty, the refined gentleman Jiang Xingzhou places first in the imperial examinations and earns the title of top scholar.

In the cold, imposing throne room, the emperor asks what post he wishes to pursue.

He replies, “I ask for nothing but the chance to marry Princess Chaohua.”

The aging, frail emperor grants him the marriage.

But this heaven-sent match is shattered by one person's return.

Li Huaijin returns to court victorious, having won a great triumph. Before he can go to see the emperor, he rushes to visit Chaohua, the woman who has occupied his thoughts day and night. But he finds her happily embroidering her wedding dress, preparing to marry someone else.

“Chaohua, how dare you? I went to war only to secure a way for you to live. How dare you marry another man?” He grips her wrist tightly.

“But, Imperial Brother, there has never been any affection between us. Why must you do this? Besides, Lanze and I are following the emperor's decree. How can you behave this way?”

Even more furious at her words, Li Huaijin scoops Yishu into his arms. “Do you think Jiang Xingzhou would dare marry the Crown Princess I've taken to bed?”

Xiao Yishu: “Are you insane? How dare you?”

“Oh, right. The emperor is ill. How can a decree issued by a sick man be valid?”

When the heir of the Earl of Yongchang learns that his fiancée is being held in the palace by the crown prince, he dons his wedding clothes, climbs the tallest tower in Great Wei, and beats the drum that allows anyone to appeal directly to the emperor. All to bring his princess home.

But the world belongs to Li Huaijin. What can he do?

From then on, Lanze is left with a broken leg. He can never fulfill his dream of traveling across the vast land, and he loses the one he loves forever.

Yishu loses her freedom and becomes a caged bird. In the end, grief steals the color from her face.