She was the eldest legitimate daughter of Magistrate Lin. Overnight, her father and younger brother were exiled, while the women of the family were reduced to servants. Because of her pretty face, someone set her up and sold her into a brothel. To protect herself, she disfigured her own face and escaped.
The Mu Residence
She became the personal maid to the frail young heir.
Some said the heir was moody and murderous; others said he suffered from a grave illness and would not live to see twenty.
The maids and servants all gave this unloved, ailing heir the bare minimum of service, pretending to obey while secretly defying him.
The heir treated her with cold disdain, calling her an “ugly monster” at every turn and threatening and intimidating her. Even so, she served him diligently and respectfully, never daring to slack off.
Mu Zi'an looked at her coldly. “What exactly are your intentions in getting close to me?”
She answered softly, “I only wish for the young heir to be safe and happy, with no worries throughout his life.”
“Sweet talk.” Mu Zi'an still gave her no quarter, but his heart slowly began to soften.
“Lin Shubai, now that you’ve caught my attention, don’t think you can walk away unscathed.”
Content warnings:
1. The heroine disfigures herself and is not a beauty.
2. The hero is sharp-tongued and cold at first, but becomes completely love-struck later.
3. This is not a tragic romance, and it has a happy ending.
4. Criticism is welcome, but I’m not thin-skinned. Personal attacks are not.
5. Set in an imagined dynasty after the Song. Please don’t nitpick the historical details.
6. Wishing all my dear readers a happy time reading!
