This novel consists of three different stories, though they are connected.
The first story: Fragrance of Broken Plum Blossoms. [A proud princess with a tragic fate x a dashing, devoted heir] Cui Ming, confined in the palace, falls for Ling Ying, who often comes to visit. But fate is cruel: Cui Ming is forced to marry into the Teergu tribe, losing her only friend. Two years later, a revolt breaks out, and the man she married flees, leaving her to languish in prison. She dreams a wonderful dream, but it is only a fleeting dream beneath the locust tree. Both leads remain pure + deeply tragic ending + star-crossed lovers.
The second story: Rouge of the Laurels. The hero and heroine go from being a young emperor and empress to hating each other. Her family is nothing but a pillar supporting his rule. Once the pillar rots, it must be replaced. A sliver of real affection seeps through the pretense. Another deeply tragic ending + political intrigue.
The third story: Adding Peach Blossoms. [A spoiled playboy x a hot-tempered princess] He was once the capital's number-one playboy, but a marriage pact forces him to wed the capital's number-one shrew. What a joke the whole city will make of him! He is willing to change for her, becoming a demon who spoils his wife at every turn. From then on, whenever people speak of him, they know him as a lovesick madman!
Love after marriage + happy ending. Don't worry, the first stories will put you through the wringer, but this one finally has a happy ending!
It feels a bit strange. This perspective is a bit hard to understand.