On her wedding day, Shen Zhiyi thought the Crown Prince loved someone else and lifted her veil in front of everyone. The Crown Prince said nothing, offering only, “We’ll discuss this later.”
She didn’t know he had been painting her for seven years, keeping the paintings beneath his pillow. He was afflicted with a heart-devouring curse that made blood pour from all seven orifices every full moon. She carried the bloodline of the Phoenix and wouldn’t live past twenty-five. Only his true love could save her, but he wasn’t sure he deserved to love her.
When the misunderstanding was cleared up and a life-or-death choice came, she smiled and said, “This time, let me protect you.”
