The Bright Moon Never Returns

Exclusively first published on Jinjiang Literature City. We are not responsible for pirated copies.

The chase-your-wife-to-the-crematorium trope / angsty melodrama / amnesia / substitute, except the heroine sees the hero as her substitute

A short writing exercise, complete at ten thousand words.

Song Zhiyao was always dreaming. In her dreams, there was a blurry shadow.

A spirited young man stroked her hair and promised that when he returned victorious from battle, he would marry her.

Si Min said he was that person.

Song Zhiyao asked, "When have you ever gone to war?"

Si Min paused, then said it was a long time ago.

He added, "Your Highness, ever since you came down with a high fever, you've forgotten many things. If you can't remember them, then let them be. Isn't life good as it is now?"

It was true. She was empress, the harem was empty, and she had all his love. The people of the realm envied the deep affection between emperor and empress.

But Song Zhiyao still felt something was wrong.

That was until an assassination attempt beneath a shower of fireworks, when the dying assassin angrily accused her of being a princess who had no thought of avenging her fallen kingdom and spent every day currying favor with her enemy...

She remembered. She remembered everything...

Three years ago, the city fell, the general died, and the princess lost her memory. The traitor took his place and held out a hand to her.

"Your Highness, I am your betrothed."

A devoted, loyal-dog type new emperor × a sweet, bright princess of a fallen kingdom

Theme: Love yourself before loving another.