The Princess's Consort Is a Coward

Shang Ningyue has a recent worry:

Her newly appointed top scholar, the emperor-bestowed consort, seems... a little too "handsome."

He wears his court robes impeccably, and even when he sleeps, he seems determined to wrap himself up tight.

Then, on their wedding night, the prince consort drops to his knees and confesses, "I have deceived the emperor. I am, in truth, a woman!"

Shang Ningyue helps her up with a soft laugh. "I know."

Gao Huaiyu has a secret:

She disguised herself as a man to take the imperial examinations, hoping to bring honor to her family. Who could have guessed the emperor would name her top scholar and betroth her to the most favored princess, Princess Zhaoyang?

Deceiving the emperor is a grave crime. Her entire clan is practically doomed.

She refuses the marriage every way she can, only to discover that the princess in her phoenix coronet and bridal robes is the very "Miss Yue'er" she rescued on the outskirts of the capital years ago.

Even more frightening, the princess seems to have seen through her disguise long ago. Could it be that the princess herself asked for this marriage?

Married first, love later. A false phoenix and a pretend emperor.

The princess lays her plans step by step, quietly setting a tender trap.

The prince consort is terrified, yet gradually falls under the spell of this unique protection and deep affection.

Beneath the bridal finery, every heart is true.

"Ningyue, if the truth comes out..."

"Then we'll face it together."

**Reader's Guide:**

1. One-on-one romance, happy ending, both leads' first relationship, married first and in love later. Sweet everyday flirting and affection take center stage, with the plot in support.

2. A seemingly aloof, secretly devious, flirtatious princess X a cautious and restrained at first, then gentle and devoted (female) prince consort.

3. An imaginary dynasty. Please don't scrutinize the historical details; everything is here to serve the romance.

4. The focus is on mutual affection, romantic tension, and two people choosing each other.

Theme: Love means openly and unashamedly saying, "I love you."