Alternate universe, angst, scheming, non-virgin characters, happy ending.
Zhao Baixing (Shen Zhuo) and Xiao Jingche
A scheming black-lotus stand-in and a madly lovesick crown prince
Once a noble young prince, now a lowly servant at the side of the enemy kingdom's crown prince.
Thirteen years ago, eight-year-old Zhao Baixing rescued a young guard covered in blood.
Thirteen years later, a palace coup erupted in Xiang, his father and mother died horribly, and his elder brother fell on the battlefield.
Zhao Baixing fled to the border, barely clinging to life. When he woke, the man before him was Xiao Jingche, the crown prince of the enemy kingdom, the A-Che gege he had saved all those years ago.
But A-Che gege no longer recognized him. To stay alive, Zhao Baixing didn't dare reveal who he was, and could only conceal his identity under the assumed name Shen Zhuo.
Seeing his familiar face, Xiao Jingche kept him by his side.
Shen Zhuo thought they loved each other. Only later did he learn that Xiao Jingche had mistaken him for his elder brother when they were children, and now saw him as his brother's stand-in.
“Your Highness, this servant wishes to stay by your side and serve you...”
“He's only a servant. If Third Brother wants him, he can have him.”
Ridiculously, Xiao Jingche turned around and handed him over to his enemy, Xiao Jingsheng.
At that moment, Zhao Baixing's heart died completely.
He swore to make Xiao Jingche wish he were dead... “I'll wait until the moment you love me most, then die in your arms and break your heart for once. After that, we'll owe each other nothing!”
By the time Xiao Jingche realized that his little stand-in was actually the one he'd always cherished, it was too late.
Xiao Jingche searched the ruins for a whole day and night, but couldn't find so much as a single bone...
Three years later, at a banquet between the two kingdoms, Xiao Jingche saw a man approaching. “A-Zhuo... You're Shen Zhuo!”
Zhao Baixing stared back coldly: ...
“This is His Highness Prince Zhao of Xiang. Crown Prince of your esteemed nation, please show some restraint!”
