Not a Single Man in the Capital Is Worth Marrying

(Historical romance, both leads are untouched: Captive beauty · Crown Prince x Well-bred noblewoman)

[1v1 | Sweet romance | Sole devotion | Political ambition and power struggles | Crown Prince's secondary consort | No transmigration or rebirth, no System | Richly historical]

* A powerful man abuses his authority for personal gain. He falls for her looks first, then her heart. He is instinctively drawn to her.

At the court banquet, Xie Zhiqing, the third young lady of the Left Chancellor's household, composed a poem: "Across the capital, no young men remain; they've all gone east to southern Fujian." After the banquet, it was twisted into: "Not one young man in the capital is fit to marry; they're all useless fools."

The misunderstanding not only offended every man in the capital, but also the exalted Crown Prince.

"Did Miss Xie say there isn't a single young man in the capital worth marrying?" The Crown Prince stepped closer. "Does that include me? And... do you think I'm a useless fool?"

Xie Zhiqing was so frightened that she immediately fell to her knees.

The Crown Prince had wanted to see her proud spirit, but the other party had turned out to be so timid that she dropped to her knees at once. He found it terribly dull.

After he left, he assumed their paths would never cross again. Yet at the Spring Welcoming Banquet, he caught sight of Xie Zhiqing laughing and chatting with her close friends, her beauty reflected in his dark eyes.

That very night, Miss Xie was snatched away to the Eastern Palace.

Silken shadows swayed inside the palace, and the beauty wept pitifully.

"Your Highness~"

"I'll ask you again. Am I worthy of Miss Xie's regard?"

The beauty trembled and sobbed. "Your Highness is noble beyond compare. This subject's daughter would never dare presume to reach for you."

"Reach for me?" The Crown Prince gave a scornful smile. "I permit it."

The red candles flickered. Her gauzy skirt fell to the floor. The beauty pleaded desperately, but from then on, year after year, she would never escape...