Springtime Upon Return

If you're interested, check out my new novel! Book ID: 10589448.

Please add it to your collection. I may do a major revision in July or August. I feel like something was missing while I was writing it, and it didn't have the heartbreaking love story I imagined.

Cool, aloof girl x sunny, chatty puppy

As the legitimate daughter of the Wen family, Wen Xuekai usually behaved like a proper young lady. Gentle and mild were always the words used to describe her.

But only her childhood sweetheart knew that Wen Xuekai was nothing like that.

At a spring banquet, when her childhood sweetheart annoyed her, she simply turned and walked away. When they fell into a secret passage, she used the architectural knowledge her grandfather had taught her as a child to escape. When her family was in trouble, she stepped forward to protect them.

And so, she sacrificed herself by marrying the Second Prince and becoming his consort.

The Shen family had a young heir, Shen Jing'an, a carefree boy who knew little of the world.

His favorite pastime was teasing Miss Wen and watching her show him a whole range of emotions. Sometimes, when he'd pushed her too far, he'd coax her like a pitiful little puppy trying to make her happy.

When they fell into a secret passage, dirt flew into his face and covered him. Miss Wen laughed. “You look like a big tabby cat.”

So he seized the chance to hug her. “Then I'm your big tabby cat.”

He indulged her in every way and remained unfailingly loyal. At the words “The harsh winters on the border...” he went off to enlist there.

Before they parted, Shen Jing'an told her, “Wait for me to come back and marry you!”

Ten years was too long to wait, but five years was far too short.

When he returned three years later, Wen Xuekai had married the Second Prince for her family's sake and become his consort.

The two became strangers.

“Second Prince's Consort, have you been well?”

“I've been well, thank you for your concern, Commander Shen.”

Amid the political power struggles, the Second Prince's coup failed, and she became a prisoner with him.

In prison, he asked her, “Did you ever love me?”

She paused, then replied, “May you find someone who loves you wholeheartedly, and stay together year after year. And may you keep your promise, Commander, and protect my family for the rest of their lives.”

Having received his answer, he understood. He turned and left.

After he left, an imperial decree ordering her execution arrived. She closed her eyes, unmoved, and listened. But when she heard the words “marry as soon as possible,” she suddenly opened her eyes. How could this be?

It turned out he had never abandoned her.

Childhood sweethearts, then strangers, then lovers again. There will be some family-intrigue drama.

Theme: A family should love one another.