The Distant Mountains

The mountains stretch into the distance, the vast sky shines clear. Break through the universe and climb to the highest peak.

"You can tell me the mountain pass is hard to cross, but whether I climb it is for me to decide."

The Princess Who Guards the Nation ✖️ The Forbearing Minister

Princess Li Shiyu of Jinyang has one greatest wish: to become as skilled in martial arts as her elder sister and A-Zhao, to right wrongs and kill wicked men with her own hands.

But the first villain she killed was her own fiancé, Lu Zhao.

In the winter of the tenth year of Yongjia, the mighty enemy of Dayan crossed the border. After a brutal battle in the northern winds, Shiyu lost her elder sister forever.

The battle report stated in no uncertain terms that Lu Zhao had betrayed his country. The evidence was ironclad.

When Lu Zhao knelt before Shiyu, she drew her sword without hesitation and pointed it at the childhood friend she had once loved, yet she could not bring herself to strike.

"The evidence is conclusive, but I still want to hear it from your own lips, Lu Zhao."

"I am willing to die by your hand, A-Si."

When the blade in her hand pierced his heart, Shiyu thought the affection they had shared all those years was truly laughable.

But one day, she discovered that someone else might have been responsible for her sister's death, and that the culprit was within the imperial city.

Who could make Lu Zhao keep silent until death? Who could make every official at court hold their tongue?

She had to uncover the truth.

Then, half a year later, a new favorite of the Eastern Palace named He Jin'an appeared abruptly before her, surrounded by danger on all sides.

From the moment he was branded a traitor, Lu Zhao knew Shiyu could never accept him again.

So he had asked her to let the notorious, despised Lu Zhao die by her sword, a man reviled by all under heaven.

When he returned to court, he was He Jin'an.

Yet in both his lives, he had been infamous.

Some said his identity was suspicious, that he used his looks to curry favor and would stop at nothing to please the Crown Prince and Princess.

The rumors were vicious and relentless. Even Shiyu could not bear to hear them.

"Lord He, you are risking your life to play with fire, yet you have to bear such disgrace."

He Jin'an suddenly recalled the day he had narrowly escaped death and been rescued.

His rescuer had asked him, "Now that you have a second chance at life, is there anything you still wish to do?"

Lu Zhao raised his head. The look in his eyes no longer resembled the man she had known.

He said, "I only hope to clear the Lu family's name and return to her side with my honor intact."

Now, he did all this of his own free will.

He did not care if the whole world condemned him.

"As long as Your Highness trusts me, a storm of slander cannot shake my heart."

Shiyu sighed softly and stepped forward to touch the beauty mark beneath his eye. "Then, He Jin'an, when the injustice has been overturned and the truth comes to light, will you become my A-Zhao again?"

[Reader Notice]

1. This story is set in a fictional world. The characters are inspired by historical figures, but the story takes many dramatic liberties. The official system and dynastic structure are modeled on the Tang dynasty, so history buffs may be disappointed!

2. A blend of plot and romance, with character growth. This is not a wish-fulfillment story.

3. If any of this bothers you, please don't read.

[Coming Soon]

A murderous female bandit leader × a noble, upright gentleman

Xue Buyuan was the infamous female leader of Phoenix Stronghold on Mount Qishan, notorious enough to make children cry. She had done every kind of evil.

Then one day, after slaughtering the stronghold on the neighboring mountain, she was checking the scene and preparing to finish off the survivors when she found a young man in the back courtyard, bound hand and foot and unconscious.

Xue Buyuan kicked him over. His face was as lovely as jade. Oh, not bad-looking, she thought with a cold snort. Too bad for you, getting captured here today.

The cold gleam of her sword fell across his face. Just as Xue Buyuan was about to bring it down, the young man slowly woke, revealing clear eyes like moonlight shining on a flowing river.

Their eyes met. Suddenly, he smiled sweetly and called out to Xue Buyuan,

"Mom!"

The sword in Xue Buyuan's hand plunged straight into a crack in the wall beside him.

From then on, Phoenix Stronghold became home to a strange sight.

A gentleman as beautiful as an immortal descended from heaven was always wandering around the kitchen, speaking like a five-year-old child and devoting himself to protecting every animal meant for the dinner table.

"Chicks are so cute! How can you eat them?" "If you kill this cow, the calf won't have a mother. Boo-hoo..."

The Third-in-Command watched Yan Huai hide piglets all over the courtyard. His chopsticks snapped in two. Unable to hold back any longer, he said, "Boss, who is this idiot? Are you going to do something about him or not?"

Xue Buyuan swallowed her greens unhurriedly, smiling without warmth.

"My newly adopted son."

Three years later, Yan Huai returned to Phoenix Stronghold.

Seated astride his horse, he looked at Xue Buyuan, covered in blood and refusing to surrender even as she fought a desperate last stand.

No.

He said solemnly, "You spared my life back then. I won't kill you. I'll let you go."

He bent down and gripped her back tightly, pulling her entirely into his arms. His lips nearly brushed her ear as he said, "But you've killed countless people over the years, and so many want you dead. Where else can you find a way to survive, if not by my side?"

Xue Buyuan laughed softly in his embrace.

"Yan Huai, have you forgotten what my name means?"

She raised her head, revealing eyes reflecting the fiery red glow of blood.

"Even if it means falling into eternal ruin, I won't cling to life by your side."

"I won't."

Theme: The wind will carry me over the waves one day, and I will raise my sail to cross the boundless sea.