A celestial beauty descends to earth | Scheming seduction | Love and hate intertwined
Xue Yici was born into a well-to-do family and blessed with a face of incomparable beauty. She grew up carefully, reaching the age of marriage, never expecting that while visiting a temple to pray before her wedding, she would catch Xie Shu's eye at first sight.
He was a son of the prestigious Xie clan, handsome, refined, and unmatched in status.
From then on, she could no longer marry and became trapped in a cage. After another failed escape, she clutched a sharp gold hairpin, ready to fight to the death, when the door suddenly opened again.
A cool, calm voice spoke: "Xie Shu."
Just two words were enough to silence Xie Shu, who was usually so reckless and willful.
In the faint candlelight, the newcomer wore white robes and a jade crown. His bearing and appearance were like snow piled on a jade mountain. His expression was calm, revealing no joy or anger, and even his reprimand was delivered without a ripple of emotion.
"The Xie clan has always upheld a virtuous family tradition. We will not tolerate such filthy behavior."
The newcomer was Xie Shu's cousin, Xie Qian, the famous eldest legitimate son of the Xie clan.
The gold hairpin clattered to the floor, and tears streamed down Xue Yici's face.
Back then, she thought Xie Qian was a deity come to save her from suffering. She had no idea that this was only the beginning of her true imprisonment.
*
The Xie clan of Fenglin was the foremost of the great aristocratic families.
Xie Qian, heir to the clan, was as graceful as an orchid and as bright as the moon. Restrained and impeccably mannered, he was hailed as the most beautiful man in the world, peerless in all the land.
Xie Qian promised to send her home. He treated her with perfect propriety along the way, but was also distant and aloof.
Though deeply grateful, Xue Yici knew perfectly well that Xie Qian did not like her and was only acting out of courtesy and decorum.
But after she returned home, Xue Yici learned that Xie Qian intended to take her as a favored concubine. Her family was overjoyed. Though astonished, Xue Yici firmly refused. She would not become a concubine, regardless of whose concubine she might be!
Fortunately, the news reached Xie Qian's ears. He only let out a soft sigh and said no more.
That settled everything. At last, she could marry her childhood sweetheart as she had wished.
But when the wedding night came, the person who lifted her veil was someone who had no business being there.
"M-Master Xie?"
Xie Qian's phoenix eyes were deep and unfathomable. His tall frame completely enveloped her, and the look he lowered on her held a strange hint of pity.
"Yici." It was the first time he had called her by name.
Xue Yici had never seen Xie Qian like this. Her heart was full of confusion, and everything felt like a dream. Only later did she realize she had long been a caged bird. Xie Qian had simply opened his hand and waited for her to fly into his grasp.
From then on, love could not be repaid, and hatred could not be dispelled!
The moon in the sky became a reflection in water; the snow on the pines fell into a bottomless abyss.
*
Life in Qinghe Town was peaceful and quiet, and time passed in the blink of an eye. One snowy winter night, Xue Yici heard that low, cool voice call her childhood nickname once more:
"Manman."
She jolted awake and saw a familiar face in the darkness, thinking for a moment that she was still dreaming.
But the next moment, he gripped her chin and kissed her. The kiss fell like the fine snow outside the window, accompanied by a hoarse murmur: "I'm sorry, Manman. I broke my promise."
The gold hairpin from years ago pointed at the person who had once saved her. Xue Yici gritted her teeth and demanded an answer, hatred plain in her bright eyes.
"You promised to leave me alone!"
"What will it take for you to let me go?"
Xie Qian fell silent, then chuckled softly and caressed her face.
"Manman, look at me, remember me, and kill me with your own hands. Then keep me in your dreams every night from now on."
[Reader's Guide]
1. Both leads are each other's only romantic partner. Expect plenty of melodrama, forced intimacy, and love and hate intertwined. The powerful one eventually lowers his head; the aloof beauty gradually goes mad. The female lead's feelings for the male lead shift from love to hatred.
2. They are both people from a feudal era and have certain limitations in their thinking.
3. The female lead is a stubborn, resilient weed with a radiant appearance. She is tenacious and unyielding, no matter how many times she is knocked down.
4. The setting blends different influences and is set in an imaginary era, with many original details.
5. To be added.
Theme: Face life bravely
