The Eastern Palace’s Rival Concubine: The Crown Prince Willingly Becomes Her Captive

Reunion after a long separation · Love and hate · Lovers turned enemies · The powerful man bows his head (Note: A sweet-and-angsty push-and-pull story, not a wish-fulfillment novel. If that bothers you, don't get involved.)

Clear-headed, strong-willed junior sister who escapes for her life VS a hypocritical, calculating, lovesick Crown Prince

Three years ago, Chu Mian was about to marry her senior brother Ling Ce when the Crown Prince took her by force. Later, when their mentor was framed and convicted, he personally sentenced her to death.

He looked down at her from on high and asked, "Were you the one who leaked the secret?"

She survived against all odds and married Zhou Wenbin, magistrate of Huaizhou, as his concubine. She changed her name to Xie Ming and lived quietly in obscurity for three years.

One day, Xie Ming's husband, Zhou Wenbin, hurried home, excitedly telling everyone that a highly distinguished guest had arrived from the capital, and that currying favor with him could bring the Zhou family rapid advancement.

Ordered to attend to the guest, she found herself face-to-face with the Crown Prince, Xuan Zhaoyu.

He sat in the seat of honor, dressed in fine robes and a jade belt, exactly like the man who had watched her coldly from the high platform all those years ago.

In public, he was courteous and refined, calling her "Sister-in-law."

In private, he pressed her relentlessly, forcing her to admit she was Chu Mian.

As Zhou Wenbin curries favor with the distinguished guest, she falls from concubine to maid, and is offered up to serve the guest in his daily needs.

Every day, she serves tea, pours water, arranges the dishes, and grinds ink, living under his watchful eye.

He pressures her, tests her, and interrogates her.

She refuses to admit anything, refuses to cry, and refuses to apologize.

Her unyielding pride chips away at every one of Xuan Zhaoyu's boundaries, driving him further and further out of control.

He pins her against the bed. She looks at him and says, "Kill me."

The more she refuses to bow her head, the more he wants to see her do it.

The more she refuses to admit fault, the more he insists on forcing her to.

In the end, he holds her with red-rimmed eyes:

"I was the one who was wrong."

"You can curse me or punish me, just please don't leave me."