Looking for Short Historical Angst Novels (The More Heartbreaking, the Better) ＃求短篇古风虐文（超虐的那种）

1. 151 凤 Above the Phoenix Terrace 凤凰台上 After the Whale Falls鲸落余生Ancient Romance9k WordsCompleted Above the Phoenix Terrace 6Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It's so heartbreaking! The male lead is great, but unfortunately he appeared too late. The female lead is already beyond redemption. I'm crying so much.

2. 152 深 Layers of Resentment in the Deep Palace 深宫怨几重 Shangguan Xuan'er上官轩儿Ancient Romance152k WordsCompleted In this mortal world, in the imperial palace, in the mansions of the wealthy, how much love has gone unreturned and turned into bone-deep hatred? The tangled passions and heartbreak of so many men and women have all vanished into the mists of history. 873Reads—Score101Shelves

   Reader note

   He glanced at me, then reached out and pinched my chin: "Chen Wanyin, you'd better behave yourself. Your sister doesn't know what's good for her; I hope you'll be smarter." I blinked, smiling obediently: "Of course I'm smart." I'll be smart enough that you won't even know how you died. (19)

3. 153 花 Flower Valley: The Peony Chapter 花谷—芍药篇 Sang Guozi桑粿子Ancient Romance22k WordsCompleted Flower Valley: The Peony Chapter 1Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Angst novels, traditional ancient romance novels

4. 154 大 My Childhood Friend Massacred My Family on My Wedding Day? Prince, I Appreciate Your Kindness 大婚被竹马灭满门？王爷的大恩，我心领了。 Zhu Chi祝迟Ancient Romance10k WordsCompleted My childhood friend slaughtered my whole family on my wedding day? Your Highness, I appreciate your kindness. 1Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Both of these are quite good; they're short and heart-wrenching.

5. 155 竹 The Emperor I Grew Up With Married Me Off to a Eunuch 竹马皇帝把我嫁给了一个太监 Become a Rich Woman做一个富婆Ancient Romance14k WordsCompleted My Childhood Friend the Emperor Married Me Off to a Eunuch 1.8kReads—Score—Shelves
6. 156 嫁 After She Married, the Mad Emperor Seized Her by Force 嫁人后，被疯批皇帝强取豪夺了 A Penguin Who Has to Write Every Day每天都要码字的企鹅Ancient Romance320k WordsCompleted [Coercive Possession + Later Revenge on the Scoundrels + Obsessive, Unhinged Hero + Groveling Chase + No Reconciliation + Second Male Lead Wins] Chu Huaiyu personally offered Lu Zhaoxue to the Crown Prince, using her as bait to frame Chu Siheng. After ascending the throne, Chu Huaiyu imprisoned Lu Zhaoxue deep in the palace, using his favor as a pair of shackles. Night after night, they were entangled in the palace. Biting her earlobe, Chu Huaiyu whispered, “Zhaoxue, do you hate me? Hate me if y 12.5kReads8.1Score602Shelves

   Reader note

   This book is incredibly good and incredibly heart-wrenching; it tortures the female lead first, then the male lead, and the female lead never looks back.

7. 157 惨 The Cruel Abuse of the Fallen Kingdom's Grand Princess, the Ruthless Sovereign Cuts Out His Heart to Win Her Back 惨虐亡国长公主，狠戾君上剖心追 Xiao Xiao Is Just Xiao Xiao萧萧就是萧萧Ancient Romance598k WordsCompleted The official ending is a happy ending! The bonus chapters fulfill some readers' requests. In the first, the second male lead gets the girl; in the second, it's a happy ending! [The male lead is an utterly deranged, obsessive yandere in the early chapters! If you're a heroine-only fan and can't accept that, don't read it!!!] [Steadfast, headstrong exiled princess + ruthless, deranged new emperor] [Angst + forcible possession + forced love + imprisonment of body and heart + alternate historical se 8kReads8.3Score459Shelves
8. 158 别 Stop! Her Majesty Knows She Was Wrong, but Won’t Change 别打了！娘娘她知错不改 Don't Pinch My Peach别捏我的桃儿Ancient Romance181k WordsOngoing [Alternate History + Discipline + Humiliation + Light Palace Intrigue + Light Ensemble Cast + Not Both Chaste + Not a Strong Female Lead] [Content Warning: Physical abuse, but not emotional abuse + A troublemaking female lead who never learns her lesson] Wrong tags! Not angsty! The Great Jing Dynasty is bound by strict rules of etiquette. * Yu Yanqiu, daughter of a minor official, has been in the palace for three months. She is strikingly beautiful, with captivating almond-shaped eyes, but her n 50Reads—Score—Shelves
9. 159 G GB: My Enemy Becomes My Slave, and I Make Him Pay GB：仇人成了我奴仆，狠狠虐他 Tiny Moss微苔Ancient Romance591k WordsCompleted [Warning: This is an angsty story! The female lead torments the male lead, physically and emotionally. Expect kneeling, imprisonment, whips... If you can’t handle that, read with caution!] [Cool, vengeful queen vs. sweet, gentle demon king] Both leads are devoted to each other, both leads are devoted to each other, both leads are devoted to each other!!! When Chi Feiyan passed by a brothel, she rescued a beautiful boy and took him in as her disciple. She raised him with care, teaching him and pa 15.5kReads9.2Score1.3kShelves
10. 160 长 Changhua Hall 长华殿 Yan Xixi晏西西Ancient Romance372k WordsCompleted [Two unhinged leads + ruthless pursuit + regretful pursuit + no getting back together] Everyone said Sheng Zhaoning was the most loyal dog at Wei Yi's side. She came when summoned and left when dismissed, as lowly as the mud beneath his feet. One night, after drinking, someone asked Wei Yi, “Do you really not like her?” Wei Yi looked as if he'd heard a joke. “She's just a dog. What makes her think I'd like her?” Everyone laughed. Outside the door, Sheng Zhaoning lowered her eyes and finally gave 13.8kReads9.1Score1.2kShelves
11. 161 皇 The Empress Perished in a Sea of Flames, and the Mad Tyrant Went Gray Overnight 皇后葬身火海，疯批暴君一夜白头 Fat Mom Is a Little Fierce胖妈有点虎Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Reborn for revenge, faithful to one another, a remorseful husband’s road to redemption, sweet and angsty, unconventional palace intrigue] “Your Majesty, Her Highness has gone to the small shrine.” “Does she know what she did wrong?” “Her Highness… set Fengqi Palace ablaze and never came out.” The tyrant’s majesty was gone. Kneeling before a heap of ashes, his hair turned white overnight. Jiang Fu sat astride her horse and looked toward the distant palace, giving a cold laugh. “Shi Heng, the gru 10.8kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves
12. 162 怜 Cherished Beauty [One Woman, Many Men] 怜娇【一女多男】 Mr. Wuyin五音先生Ancient Romance427k WordsCompleted [Everyone’s Darling Heroine / No Fixed Couple / Rivalry for Her Affections / Men Get Their Hearts Broken] Yan Zhen, a sickly, scheming beauty, is adored by a crowd of men. A distant, solitary Daoist is ordered by his master to look after her, but she awakens desire in him, and he can no longer commune with Heaven and Earth. “Yan Zhen, you’ve ruined my Daoist heart.” The man she once thought was her enemy in a past life sacrifices half his flesh and blood for her, just for the chance to see her o 8.3kReads8.9Score589Shelves
13. 163 掌 The Caged Luan in His Palm 掌中囚鸾 Blessings Year After Year福祉年年Ancient Romance281k WordsCompleted [Gentle, aloof Eldest Princess vs. sinister, lovesick hostage prince from an enemy state] [Both pure + Chasing His Wife to the Crematorium + Taking by Force + Forced Love] Everyone said that Zhao Heyang, the Eldest Princess of Great Yan, was gentle and virtuous, upright in character, and pure of heart. But only Zhou Xi knew that beneath that captivating, gentle exterior lay nothing but contempt and disdain for the lowly and wretched. When he was driven out of Great Yan as a hostage from the Nort 6.1kReads8.4Score484Shelves
14. 164 长 Changye Wuyue 长烨无月 Awakening at Ten夢醒十分Ancient Romance301k WordsCompleted [A princess sent away for a political marriage × an obsessive crown prince and emperor] [Tragic romance] (The comic adaptation is now available.) A general dies in battle, and a princess is sent far away to marry for peace. The young man who had been her childhood sweetheart remained forever on the battlefield in the desert. As a princess of her nation, she was sent far away to Great Jin for a political marriage. The desert battlefield claimed the young General Zhou, while the bright and spiri 30.6kReads9.1Score1.7kShelves
15. 165 我 My View Is That All Beings in Jambudvipa 我观是南阎浮提众生 This Is Sent to Zhaozhao此寄昭昭Ancient Romance8k WordsCompleted I Behold the Sentient Beings of Jambudvipa 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I believe that all sentient beings in Jambudvipa are sinful in every thought and action.

16. 166 与 Parting from You in This Life 与君生别离 Quite Possibly a Monster很可能是妖怪Ancient Romance17k WordsCompleted Parting from You in This Life 46Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is so heartbreaking, I wonder who won't cry. [Eating melon emoji]

17. 167 帝 The Emperor's Lament 帝王之殇 Quite Possibly a Monster很可能是妖怪Ancient Romance12k WordsCompleted The Emperor's Tragedy 16Reads—Score—Shelves
18. 168 我 After I Gave Up, I Became a Queen 我死心后，成女王了 You Zhizhi由之之Ancient Romance8k WordsCompleted After I Gave Up on Love, I Became a Queen 1Reads—Score—Shelves
19. 169 太 The Crown Prince Begs Me to Hit Him Again 太子求我再打他一次 Little Gummy Bear小熊软糖阿Ancient Romance9k WordsCompleted The Crown Prince Begged Me to Hit Him Again —Reads—Score—Shelves
20. 170 花 Flowers Bloom More Beautifully When Their Names Are Unknown 花不知名分外娇 Xiaoxiao Fishing Song潇潇渔歌Ancient Romance10k WordsCompleted The nameless flower blooms exceptionally beautifully 56Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    He said she was so obedient, which led to her near-death experience.

21. 171 王 The Prince's White Moonlight Substitute: The Day She Died, He Went Mad 王爷的白月光替身，她死那天他疯了 The Wind Ahead of the Dragon King's Manor龙王府的前方之风Ancient Romance18k WordsCompleted The Prince's Moonlight Stand-In: The Day She Died, He Went Mad 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Short, ancient-style angst-filled novels, for those who enjoy angst.

22. 172 一 A Tree Through the Seasons, Evergreen with You 一树沉浮，与君长青 Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Buddha of Beining北宁的药师琉璃光佛9k WordsCompleted A Tree Through Rise and Fall, Evergreen by Your Side —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    You can check out the reviews and comments [sends heart]

23. 173 红 A Book of Blood and Tears in Red 红妆血泪书 Mist Scales雾秤Ancient Romance13k WordsCompleted A Crimson Letter of Blood and Tears —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Twin births, be

24. 174 隔 A Book Across Lifetimes 隔世书 Yan Bingxuan砚冰玄Ancient Romance11k WordsCompleted A Book Across Lifetimes —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    High-level angst, a time-traveling redemption story, anger at their inaction, and sorrow for their misfortune.

25. 175 五 Five Years of Waiting Came to Nothing: My Husband Brings His New Love to Demand a Divorce 五年痴等成空，夫君带女逼我和离 Cang Yuesheng仓月生Ancient Romance604k WordsCompleted [Both Chaste] [Romance with His Older Brother's Wife] [Male-Male Story] [The Male Lead is repeatedly seen completely naked but stays faithful. Later, what looks like infidelity is actually a guard in disguise; the male lead remains devoted to the female lead throughout.] [Dear readers, we're very sorry! When you reach Chapter 139, please skip straight to Chapter 146. Chapters 140 to 145 are inconsistent and can be ignored.] On their wedding night, unrest broke out at the border, and her husband 5.9kReads9.3Score457Shelves

    Reader note

    Finally found a great book! It's really good, highly recommended! [Smirk]

26. 176 重 Reborn, I Took Everyone to Watch the Live Burial 重生后，我带众人围观活埋现场 Leisurely Clouds彩云悠悠Ancient Romance11k WordsCompleted After Being Reborn, I Took Everyone to Watch the Live Burial —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist was buried alive by her husband, who only wanted to obtain a high-ranking official position. After being reborn, she seeks revenge for her unborn child, tearing apart the treacherous woman. A short revenge story, it's so good!

27. 177 山 Strange Tales of Mountains and Seas: First Encounter 山海异志之初见 Leave Worry, Find Joy辞忧得欢Ancient Romance12k WordsCompleted Strange Tales of Mountains and Seas: First Encounter —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In the end, I still outmaneuvered the boy from the south who loved me so deeply. When he died in my arms, I felt sadness, but I had no regrets.

28. 178 退 After Breaking Off the Engagement, the Foolish Princess Marries the Ninth Lord with Her Four Maids 退婚后，傻妃携四大丫鬟嫁九千岁 Clingy Little Tomato粘人小番茄Ancient Romance1.8M WordsOngoing [Palace Intrigue + Household Intrigue + Historical Romance + Princess Consort + Legitimate Daughter + Medical Skills + Two Powerful Leads + Cunning + Playing the Fool + Reborn + Fiercely Protective + Political Scheming] 99% of the comments are positive! Read with confidence! Su Qian, once the leader of a special forces unit in the apocalypse, died unexpectedly while carrying out a mission. With her portable medical space, she transmigrated to ancient times and into the residence of a great gener 22.8kReads8.1Score3.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The male and female leads team up: a pure battle of wits where misunderstandings are avoided, only tacit understandings of mutual exploitation prevail. The female lead's cheat ability is captivating: her medical space grants her modern-day superpowers, allowing her to heal and save lives while simultaneously committing murder and robbery. [Admiration]

29. 179 攀 A Branch Too High to Reach 攀不上的高枝 Mu Yunqi沐云起Ancient Romance12k WordsCompleted The Lofty Branch I Could Never Reach —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    There are no cheat codes, no redemption, only one wrong step leading to another. If you're tired of stories about illegitimate daughters rising from the ashes and pampered rebirths, you might want to check out this story.

30. 180 卿 A Farewell to Qing Tang 卿棠辞 Ling Xiaoling铃小铃Ancient Romance12k WordsCompleted Farewell, Qing Tang —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Their youthful love, once deep and passionate, ultimately turned to mutual loathing. A young man in the cold palace had carved a wooden sparrow to pledge his vows to her, and welcomed her into the palace with a grand procession of red bridal processions. But the emperor was fickle, neglecting her for three years, building a pavilion for his favored concubine, and denouncing her as a "poisonous woman." Only when she burned all the old letters and removed her phoenix crown did she realize that the vows made in the deep palace were meant to be broken. The deepest pain came at their farewell, when the crabapple blossoms were in full bloom.

31. 181 雪 A Lifetime of Snowfall and Chess 雪落半生棋 Jing Zhiyuye京芝玉叶8k WordsCompleted A Game of Chess as Snow Falls Through Half a Lifetime —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Not bad, the ending even had a bit of a profound impact.

32. 182 错 I Wound Up in the Prince's Bed. Should We Make the Mistake Count? 错上王爷床，要不然将错就错？ Chubby Little Cloud胖嘟嘟的云朵Ancient Romance508k WordsCompleted Chu Ci was badly injured on her wedding day, but the man in her bed was not her new husband. A large hand roams over her bare skin. Embarrassed, she looks at the man above her and hurriedly tries to stop him from going any further. The man's heavy breathing brushes against Chu Ci's neck. Impatiently, he tugs at his collar, his body growing hotter by the moment. In her previous life, Chu Ci was set up by her husband and younger sister, who sent her to Prince Rui's bed. On her wedding night, sh 32Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The female protagonist is reborn. Because her previous life was so painful, in this life she only wants revenge and to live happily. Her secrets are gradually revealed, all for the sake of revenge. This is her deepest obsession. The male protagonist dotes on her, cherishing her dearly. But all of this reverses when his first love returns to the capital. However, when she is about to marry her senior brother, the Emperor and Empress arrive and reveal the truth. The female protagonist chooses to go through with the marriage. In the final bow, the senior brother doesn't bow, saying, "My dear, I'm sorry, I also have something I've been hiding from you..."

33. 183 我 I Survived Tribulation, and the Lying Scumbag Who Faked Love Was Reduced to Ashes 我渡劫成功，骗爱渣男灰飞烟灭 Cat-Ear Popcorn Chicken猫耳鸡米花11k WordsCompleted I Survived My Tribulation, and the Lying, Love-Scamming Scumbag Vanished Without a Trace —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    After being sent to marry a foreign prince, I was thrown from the palace of the Southern Barbarian prince into a sheepfold. It wasn't until the King of Zhennan decisively defeated the Southern Barbarians that I was welcomed back to Jin. There, I found my fiancé had become the new emperor. He dismissed his harem for another woman, showering his favor upon one. He had forgotten his vow to be with me through thick and thin, to never abandon me. But this wasn't enough; the debt I owed him was almost repaid.

34. 184 我 I Was Reborn, and This Time I'm Going on a Rampage 我重生了，这一世我嘎嘎乱杀 Cang Yuesheng仓月生Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted In my past life, I was schemed against and killed by Bai Lianhua and Liu Ruyan! This time, I'll send every one of the people who hurt me straight to hell! Seeing them hate me to the bone yet be powerless to do anything about it is so satisfying! This time, let me weave the path that sends you all to hell! I'm the head of the Wen family business. Watch me put men aside and focus on my career. I'm the leading lady of my own story! I just love building my business! When I try to put men aside, they 1.7kReads9.4Score178Shelves

    Reader note

    Who wouldn't love these ancient sayings? 😊

35. 185 我 I'm Luo Yujin! Come Fight Me If You Dare 我叫洛玉锦！不服来战 Bright as the Stars亮如星辰Ancient Romance204k WordsCompleted [Innate super strength + dependable best friend + special abilities + guiding threads + backing from a mysterious world] I am the First Female Official of the mighty Zhaoguo! The top-ranked martial arts champion! And yet the empress drove me out of the capital to carry out some ridiculous, important mission of hers. I don't want to! I can't bear to leave the capital's pork knuckles behind!!! Isn't a life of good food and drink wonderful? After more than a decade spent wandering far from home, wh 29Reads7.8Score—Shelves
36. 186 经 Old Stories Lost to the Years 经年旧事付流光 Gazing at the Green Distant Hills看远山青Ancient Romance30k WordsCompleted I wrote this little piece in a frenzy after watching the film Full River Red about a year ago. I've revised it and added a bit more, and am posting it here for safekeeping. The main character is He Li, alongside my original female lead, A Ling. The story takes place several years before the film and tells of a clear-eyed yet consuming love from the past. “To meet is no better than never to have met; what is love but the same as indifference? Everything that happened here, whether it made sense o 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a short, 30,000-word ancient Chinese romance novel with a tragic element. It may have taken up several minutes of your time, but it's fanfiction and that shouldn't affect the reading experience. Please read it, leave a comment, rate it, and give me some suggestions. Thank you!

37. 187 蝶 Butterfly Shadows Return to Dust: Sold into Prostitution by My Mother-in-Law, My Ex-Husband Searched for Me for Ten Years 蝶影归尘：被婆母卖入风尘，前夫寻了我整整十年 Ni Ah Ni Ge Ni氼啊氼个氼55k WordsCompleted The Butterfly’s Shadow Returns to Dust: Sold into a Life of Vice by My Mother-in-Law, My Ex-Husband Searched for Me for Ten Years 319Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A masterpiece of Republican-era angst! 😭 I cried until I couldn't breathe! This is what a masterpiece of Republican-era angst should be! The main text: "Some loves, though short-lived, are unforgettable." Not a fast-paced, feel-good story, nor artificially sweet, this novel, *Butterfly Enters the Dust*, has a truly powerful aftertaste! 😭 I would call it the ultimate in "misaligned time-lapse angst"— 🦋 When she loved him, he humbly waited; when he deeply loved her, she was already covered in wounds. 💔 From a noble lady to a courtesan, from a prisoner in a wealthy mansion to a Japanese spy… she changed identities six times in her life, and in the end, she almost lost even the name "Lin Die'er." ✨ Highlight: On their wedding night, she threatened suicide to prevent him from approaching. He, however, slept on the floor for four whole months, never crossing the line. Until her older brother's slap landed, he was the first to rush forward, shielding her behind him, his eyes red as he gently stroked her cheek: "Does it hurt?" At that moment, she was thrown into turmoil, but I broke down in tears… If you love that sense of destiny where "love slowly blossoms, but it's too late to turn back," you must read this book with your heart. A lifetime of unresolved sorrow. 🍂 #RepublicofChinaAnAngst #BadEraAesthetics #NovelRecommendation #ButterflyIntoDust #BookRecommendationForANecessaryDemands

38. 188 蝶 Butterfly Shadows Return to Dust: My Husband's Enemy Seizes Me by Force 蝶影归尘：丈夫的的仇人对我强娶豪夺 Ni Ah Ni Ge Ni氼啊氼个氼15k WordsCompleted Butterfly Shadows Return to Dust: My Husband's Enemy Forces Me into Marriage 21Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The Pinnacle of Republican-Era Tragic Romance: Xiao Qihao's Perspective | "Butterfly, I love you, not because you're my brother's woman." In the Republican-era tragic love story "Butterfly Shadow Returns to Dust," everyone remembers Zhang Zhiming's ten-year search and Yang Yanchen's life-risking protection. But few are willing to stop and look at the illegitimate son nailed to the "villain's" pillar—Xiao Qihao. Today, I want to use his eyes to show you this story again. --- I am the illegitimate son of the Zhang family. I took my mother's surname, had no official status, lived under someone else's roof, and suffered endless cold stares. My brother, Zhang Zhiming—the legitimate son of the Zhang family's first wife, heir to a business empire—everyone praised him for his gentleness, uprightness, and gentlemanly conduct. Why? Why did he have everything from birth, while I didn't even have the right to call my father "father"? This resentment clung to me like a venomous snake for twenty years. Until I met her. That day I went to the Zhang residence to discuss business. Zhang's mother was snobbish; I was just someone who came to deliver money. Amidst the pleasantries in the main hall, she entered carrying tea. Lin Die'er. The heiress my brother married. She's truly beautiful. The stubbornness in her eyes is like a bird unwilling to be caged. She speaks coldly to my brother, her eyes piercing, unlike the meek and obsequious women of other women. At that moment, I knew—I wanted her. Not because my brother possessed her. Because she is who she is. The inextinguishable fire in her eyes was something I had never seen in anyone else in my life. I envied my brother, envied his status, his family fortune, and her. But I envied even more—that he could openly stay by her side even when she didn't love him. And I, even glancing at her required feigned indifference. --- I began to stay at the Zhang residence for a few more days, using business as a pretext to learn every detail of her routine. When she went to the cosmetics shop in the morning, when she returned home at dusk, when she sat alone by the pond at night, lost in thought. She didn't know. She never knew. Her heart was filled with hatred for my brother; she couldn't see the pair of eyes lurking in the shadows, practically watching her every move. Later, I got her. Through dishonest means. Zhang's mother was greedy, the Zhang family was ruined, and I took advantage of the situation. I had clashed with my brother in business, but this battle was the real prize I wanted—I imprisoned her in a separate courtyard, guarding her day and night; I wanted her to be my woman. She hated me. She bit her lip until it bled, refusing to let me touch her. But later, she became obedient. She stopped resisting, even curling up in my arms to sleep at night. I thought she had finally resigned herself to her fate. Until one night, I heard her call out in her sleep, "Zhiming..." Not hatred, not resentment. Those two words were very soft, as soft as a dream, but I heard the dependence in them—something she would never admit in her waking life. I trembled. Not with anger, but with fear. I suddenly realized that even if I kept her locked up by my side for the rest of my life, she would never call my name in that tone. I numbed myself with opium. I can't give up her, nor can I give up the only thing in this world that can make me forget her. --- She gave birth to a son for me. I was ecstatic. I had a son, my son with her. I named him Yi'an—meaning "unwavering" and "peaceful." I poured all my hopes and dreams into this child. I thought that as long as this child was here, she wouldn't go far. But she left. While I was in seclusion to quit opium, my mother sold her to a brothel far away. The day I came out, the villa was empty, not a single one of her belongings remained, as if she had never lived there. I searched frantically. Streets and alleys, docks and wharves, everywhere she might have gone. Nothing. Like a stone sinking into the sea. For those few years, I was like a walking corpse. Ping'er took care of Yi'an, managing the household perfectly. I was grateful to her, but I couldn't give her anything else. I made Ping'er my official wife, and we had a son and a daughter. But I knew in my heart that Yi'an was different. I favored Yi'an, so much so that everyone could see it. Because Yi'an was the only remaining connection between her and me. Until that day—a trusted confidant brought news. She was dead. She took a bullet for someone else, a bullet through her heart. The book in my hand fell to the ground with a "thud." Yi'an called my name beside me, but I couldn't hear her. I rushed out of the room, the wind and rain rushing into my collar, the wind in my ears sounding like it was calling her name. So many years of searching, so many years of waiting, so many years of obsession. And in the end, all I got was news of her death. I didn't even get to see her one last time. I didn't even have a chance to say "I'm sorry." I returned to the Xiao residence and secluded myself for three days. I found the golden butterfly hairpin she had left behind—it was a gift from my brother, she took it with her when she left, and it was later left in the other courtyard, becoming my only memento. I clutched the hairpin, remembering the words I had spoken to her that night when I lost control. She said, "I'm just your trophy." In the empty room, I said to the hairpin, "Butterfly, I love you. Because you are you, not some trophy." No one heard. She wouldn't hear me anymore. From then on, I poured all my energy into the front lines of the War of Resistance. Medicine, food, cotton clothing—all the methods and connections I had used in business warfare were transformed into the power to save the country and its people. I hated Zhang Zhiming, hated him my whole life. But when the country was in peril, I had wronged too many people, but I could never wrong this land. For the rest of my life, I would only do two things—save the country, and raise her son. Yi'an grew up day by day, his features becoming less and less like mine. But I dared not think about it too much. I poured all my guilt, indebtedness, and obsession into him, teaching him to read and write, to love his country and do good. I believed until my death that he was my own flesh and blood. But I will never know, and no one will ever tell me—Yi'an is her and Zhang Zhiming's child. She gritted her teeth and survived, just so that I could raise the child of my enemy for the rest of my life. --- This is my life, Xiao Qihao's life. Not a good person. But not a purely evil person either. An illegitimate child whose reason was burned away by jealousy. He's a madman who used the most despicable means to force love, only to end up empty-handed. He's a pathetic creature who, in the end, didn't even know who the father of the son he raised his whole life was. If you read *Butterfly Shadow Returns to Dust*, please hate me. And please remember me. Because in this book, some people grow old for love, some die for love—and I, Xiao Qihao, became a ghost for love. I made too many mistakes in this life. In the next life, I only ask to meet her sooner, and to be someone worthy of her, openly and honestly. [Crying]

39. 189 岁 Year After Year, We Never Shared a Moment of Joy 岁岁无相欢 LycheeMQ荔枝MQAncient Romance80k WordsCompleted [Young Emperor ✖️ Princess Sent to Marry for Peace] [Tragic Ending] After Nanlin is defeated, Jiang Yueqian, the legitimate princess, shoulders the mission of securing peace and embarks on a marriage alliance, becoming Consort Shu to Emperor Xie Yunshen of the Great Liang. Within Qiwugong Palace, behind the seemingly noble image of a phoenix perched in a parasol tree, lie an emperor's unfathomable heart and a deadly struggle in the inner palace. Before her stand a dignified, calculating empress 160Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is so painful! [Sad]

40. 190 她 She Shines Brightly with the Mountains and Rivers 她与山河共昭昭 Send Word from Afar, a Stream of Clouds遥寄一溪云Ancient Romance30k WordsCompleted He once said that he would share a bed with her in life and be buried with her in death. Later, he let others kill their son and used her own hands to eliminate his enemies. He once said she was the only one for him. Later, he kept concubines by his side and made her kneel to present them with a love knot. Fifteen years of devotion turned out to be a carefully woven lie. Only when she turned away without hesitation, set fire to the palace, and fled did he understand that he could rule the world 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    For those of you experiencing a reading slump, check out this incredibly powerful and heart-wrenching novel! He kicks over the brazier she uses to commemorate her deceased son, yet rebukes her for losing her dignity as an empress. In that moment, fifteen years of marital affection paled in comparison to the ashes of the flying paper money. From fighting side-by-side to utter loathing, the story is vividly portrayed.

41. 191 宫 Moonlight in the Palace Shines on the Exile 宫月照羁人 Squid Loves Spicy Food鱿鱼爱吃辣6k WordsCompleted The Palace Moon Shines on the Exile —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    You can check this out.

42. 192 一 One Short Tragic Romance Story a Day 一天一个短篇虐文故事 Frostblade of Ruicheng瑞城的寒霜剑Modern Romance4.2M WordsCompleted A Collection of Tragic Short Stories: Every Word Bleeds, Every Line Leaves You Aching One devastatingly heartbreaking short story every day! Modern-day missed chances intertwine with sorrows from ancient times, along with bone-deep pain drawn from true stories. These tales lay bare life’s regrets, every word striking straight to the heart until it hurts to read! If you finish without being moved, I’ll call you my “ancestor.” Come take on this lingering ache! 45Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I refuse to believe this won't make you cry! [Crying][crying][crying][crying][crying] A collection of short, heart-wrenching stories, every single one is incredibly painful! [Facepalm][facepalm][facepalm][facepalm][facepalm][facepalm]

Other lists with Above the Phoenix Terrace