[Dancer Yuan Xi ✖️ Young General Shen Tingsi]
Content warning: Both leads die, with a bad ending (though I consider both of them dying a happy ending!)
The second male lead does something pretty infuriating later on, and his character changes a lot! Readers who grow fond of him should brace themselves as they read.
Abandoned by her own family when she was young, she is fortunate enough to be adopted and meets a young general.
On a snowy night, the three of them rescue a prince in distress. They grow up together, sharing a carefree childhood.
She and he overcome every obstacle and give everything they have to help him reclaim his vast empire.
The emperor promises them a lifetime of peace and security.
But the longer someone sits on the throne, the more their heart changes.
The general’s achievements make him a threat to the throne. A cup of poisoned wine, a conspiracy, and his life is over.
The brother who once stood by them, now an emperor, even plans to force her into his harem.
With nothing left to hold her to this world, she dresses in plain white and ends her life before the general’s grave.
That Lantern Festival, the three of them laughed together beneath brilliant lights. In the end, it was nothing but an old dream.
“Xiao Junjing, if you want to reclaim your throne, Shen Tingsi and I will help you.”
“I’ll protect you both for the rest of your lives.”
“Young General Shen is planning to rebel and flee with his troops…”
“Xiao Junjing, may you die a miserable death in this life!”
