My Archenemy Is Always Winning Himself Over

-- Cool, detached, Buddhist-minded orphan girl x a young general who says one thing but means another --

[Blurb One]

He Yi was an orphan with a delicate, beautiful appearance and a calm, distant temperament. Thanks to her role in helping the emperor seize the throne, she rose to become chancellor.

Shangguan Lin, the Northern General, came from a noble family, was strikingly handsome, and had won countless victories.

Both were trusted confidants of the emperor, yet they couldn't stand each other. They had a minor argument every three days and a major one every five.

When the chancellor took sick leave at home, the general knew he would be turned away, yet climbed over the wall anyway, mocking her and deliberately provoking her.

"With the way you look half-dead, Chancellor He, are you just someone born unlucky and destined to die young?"

"Get out! Get out!"

The new emperor sent them to quell a rebellion together, hoping they would make peace. Instead, citing their irreconcilable differences, the general simply tied her up and sent her back to Chang'an.

He Yi was so furious she swore she would drag him down to the underworld with her!

But the matter came to an end when Shangguan Lin died on the battlefield.

[Blurb Two]

After being reborn, He Yi grew used to repeatedly dreaming of what happened before her death, until she fell into that old dream again and uncovered the truth.

A mountain of corpses and pools of blood stretched in every direction. Shangguan Lin, covered in blood, knelt on one knee, leaning on his sword. Clotted blood obscured his features as he murmured a plea.

The hair ribbon she had lost who knew when was soaked dark red and wound again and again around the hilt of his sword.

"He Yi, could you hate me a little longer? Please, take your time forgetting me..."

She jolted awake from the dream, cold sweat soaking through her clothes.

How could Shangguan Lin, who hated her to the core and couldn't stand the sight of her, have died because of her?

[Blurb Three]

At the request of an old friend, He Yi had done everything she could to help her cousin seize power, clearing every obstacle in his way. In the end, all she got was a cup of poisoned wine bestowed by the emperor, and a hasty end.

Reborn, she was already sick of the treacherous imperial court. Before her cousin could come looking for her, she packed her bags overnight and left for distant lands.

As the saying goes, enemies are bound to cross paths.

When they met again, short on money, He Yi set her sights on her former enemy Shangguan Lin, who had yet to lose his family and was still generous with his money.

When she arrived at his home, she heard nothing but praise for Shangguan Lin and began to wonder if she'd come to the wrong place.

Then, around a corner, a handsome young man with a mischievous streak appeared before her, hanging upside down from the corridor in a ghost mask, looking thoroughly obnoxious.

"Uncle, where did you find that bamboo pole?"

He Yi: "..."

She gritted her teeth. She would recognize this jerk even if he were reduced to ashes.

[Short Scene]

Shangguan Lin rushed to Chuanning as soon as he got the news. Like a young wife abandoned by a faithless husband, he cornered He Yi, who had left without saying goodbye, and demanded an explanation, his eyes red.

He Yi held out a hand to him and said softly, "Bow your head."

"Why should I listen to a liar like you?"

He Yi looked at Shangguan Lin, who put on a brave front but did as she asked and had risked his life to save her time and again. Her heart softened terribly.

She grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him sharply toward her.

Their lingering yet tentative kiss lasted only an instant.

"Can't I claim what's mine?"

"Y-you're taking liberties!" Shangguan Lin didn't push her away. Instead, he pulled her closer, held on without letting go, and threatened her fiercely, the corners of his eyes red: "If you kiss me, you have to take responsibility and give me a title. If you dare go back on your word, I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"

------Reader's Guide------

1v1 HE, both are each other's first|height difference|younger, devoted puppy-like man|fictional dynasty

Male lead is an obsessive type who comes around and pursues his wife|female lead is reborn and rekindles an old romance|

Mutual healing and sweet everyday romance|cold-faced cutie and shameless flirt pairing|

Not a traditional rebirth setup|female lead is strong and clever|

Two-year age gap|both have character growth arcs|please don't overanalyze the setup

Theme: Brave every hardship in the world with you