After Taking Care of My Brother's Friend's Wife

With the border under attack, Wen Xian, heir to the Duke of Ying's title, led troops into battle. As he prepared to leave, the only person he couldn't stop worrying about was his wife, Lin You.

The Wen family was a high-ranking household, while Lin You came from a merchant family. She was honest, gentle, and delicate, and might not be able to handle what lay ahead.

Wen Xian had no choice but to entrust Lin You to the Crown Prince, Xiao Huayan. If he died in battle, he asked Xiao Huayan to issue an edict in his capacity as Crown Prince, freeing Youyou from their marriage so she could remarry as a free woman.

A year later, Wen Xian died on the battlefield. The entire Duke's household regarded Lin You as a thorn in their side, openly accusing her of bringing her husband bad luck: she had been married only a month before he died!

Just as the Wen family was about to tear Lin You apart, an edict from the Eastern Palace arrived at the Duke's residence. In one stroke, Lin You was elevated to the status of the Crown Prince's concubine.

That night, Xiao Huayan explained the circumstances of his friend's request. In a cold voice, he told her, “I have no romantic feelings for you. After a year, once the Wen family has put this matter behind them, I will send you out of the palace and erase this chapter of your life as a concubine. Do not entertain any improper hopes.”

Lin You's eyes filled with tears. She looked timidly at the Crown Prince, so noble and aloof, and said softly, “Thank you for looking after me, Your Highness. Youyou understands.”

Lin You's beauty made her the target of jealousy among the other women in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince found her troublesome and foolish, and thought she didn't know how to protect herself, yet time and again he still shielded her.

Rumors spread through the Eastern Palace that Lady Lin was greatly favored by the Crown Prince. Only Lin You knew the truth about their relationship.

Although the Crown Prince summoned her to his bedchamber night after night, he only used her as a decoy and never touched her.

As the end of the year drew near, Lin You obediently packed her things, ready to wait for the Crown Prince to send her out of the palace. But she waited and waited, and he never made a move.

After nightfall, Lin You dared to enter the Crown Prince's chambers. Xiao Huayan was nowhere to be seen. She looked up and saw that the walls of his bedchamber were covered with portraits of her.

Terrified, Lin You turned to leave, only to crash into a man's arms. With tears in her eyes, she pushed against him and said, “Your Highness, the year is up. Why haven't you let me leave the palace yet...?”

Xiao Huayan lowered his head and bit her lip. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Youyou, I've changed my mind. You're not going anywhere.”

Premise: Understand what you truly want.