Spring's Allure

Here's a preview of my upcoming marriage-first, love-later sweet romance, "Newlyweds Three Years Later." Blurb below~ Blurb Reunion after years apart | Hero pursues his wife | Lighthearted, sweet romance | A child appears Voluptuous, stunning widow × pure-hearted, devoted dog who turns dark Xu Wuyue has had a hard life for eighteen years. In the second year of mourning her husband, her luck finally changes. On her deathbed, the old madam of the household decides to give away all the family wealth to earn good karma. Xu Wuyue receives a generous sum of money and is removed from the family register. From then on, she's alone, wealthy, and free of restraint. She takes her money and leaves for a small town in Jiangnan. She buys a house, sets up a shop, and soon has a thriving life. There's just one thing: she doesn't want to marry again, but she does want a child. As it happens, not long afterward she finds an injured man in the woods. The man is as handsome as jade, with a fit, muscular body. The little widow is instantly smitten. If she takes his essence, she'll surely have a clever, lovely child. Having made up her mind, Xu Wuyue carefully lays her plans and subtly makes her interest known. After putting in some effort, she finally gets him to lose his composure and fall into the tender trap she's woven for him. Once she's achieved her goal, Xu Wuyue leaves without a backward glance, abandoning the innocent man who has fallen head over heels for her. * As the heir to Prince An, Yan Sui is noble and distinguished, a handsome paragon and the very picture of heaven's favored son. Sent south to investigate an important case, he is ambushed and gravely wounded. A woman in plain clothes saves him. As they spend time together, the woman's glances grow more seductive, her intentions obvious. At first, Yan Sui believes himself unmoved. But soon she begins appearing in his feverish dreams again and again. Inexperienced in love, he can't resist her. Gradually, both his heart and body become hopelessly entangled. Just as he's making plans to take her back to the capital and marry her, she vanishes overnight. After years of searching in vain, they happen to meet again. Their traveling companion is astonished to see Yan Sui, who has always kept his distance from women and been cold-hearted, block a beautiful woman carrying a small child in the street and frighten her into a panic. Later, Yan Sui corners her against a wall again. "I heard you've been telling everyone I'm dead." Xu Wuyue guiltily looks away. "N-No, it wasn't you... I wasn't talking about you." Only then does Yan Sui learn that she not only toyed with him and ruthlessly abandoned him, but had once had a husband, too. She took his first time, yet he didn't even make the list of her husbands. He gazes at her somberly, with one last question. Xu Wuyue answers before he can ask. "No." As soon as the words leave her mouth, he suddenly grabs her by the nape. The man before her has a deep furrow between his brows. Though he's on the verge of losing control, a cold, unnerving smile appears on his face. "It doesn't matter if the child isn't mine." "Xu Wuyue, you owe me. Starting today, I'll make you pay me back for every last thing." Reading Guide: 1. The heroine has had previous sexual partners; the hero has not. Age gap, with the heroine 20 and the hero 19. 2. The heroine is a beautiful widow who doesn't want to take responsibility. The hero starts out as a devoted romantic, then loses his love-struck mindset and becomes an all-in, darkened puppy. Upcoming Story "Newlyweds Three Years Later" Marriage first, love later | Face-slapping | Pursuing his wife while married | Lighthearted, sweet romance Proud beauty × taciturn man Yun Jincan has been steeped in poetry and propriety since childhood. Her bearing is serene and graceful, a model of an aristocratic family, flawless as jade. A marriage agreement betroths her to Jiang Lian, the only prince of a different surname in the dynasty. He was made a prince as a youth, has unmatched military achievements, and holds power over the court. After marriage, the two treat each other with mutual respect. In public, they are the picture of a perfect couple, praised as a pair made for each other. In private, they follow the proper routine. Even in bed they are restrained and decorous, measured and composed, like another solemn ritual... Not! As the eldest daughter of the Yun family, Yun Jincan has suffered under the burden of rules and propriety. If she marries Jiang Lian, bears him a child, and wins her family his protection, she won't have to remain a jade carving put on display for others. Jiang Lian is naturally taciturn and busy with military affairs, so Yun Jincan likes the freedom of having a husband who rarely comes home. Who knew that along with his taciturn nature, he would have no tenderness to spare and nothing but seemingly endless brute strength? Even with his busy schedule, he always finds time, claiming that he can't neglect his wife. He wears her out at least three times a night, then disappears again at daybreak. Yun Jincan is at her wit's end. She even considers finding a few erotic manuals for him to study before allowing him into her bed again. Still, at least he's young and vigorous, full of energy. Barely three months into the marriage, Yun Jincan discovers she's pregnant. Her task is done, and her hard days are over. * Jiang Lian was originally indifferent to the marriage. His wife is gentle and agreeable, and his son clever and well-behaved. He is tied up with military affairs, while she keeps the residence running smoothly inside and out. Whenever he comes home after being away, he sees her waiting by the door. When he leaves at dawn, her eyes are full of tears. Jiang Lian knows she has him in her heart. Until one day, Jiang Lian returns from the northern frontier half a month early. His servants stammer, and he learns for the first time that there's a place in the capital where noblewomen can privately enjoy tea and music. The beaded curtain in the warm room is half drawn, and the sound of strings and flutes drifts faintly through the air. He sees his wife with his own eyes, barefoot on a brocade cushion, raising her cup in a toast. He hears her chatting and drinking with others. "That dullard Jiang Lian is so boring, as strong as an ox and utterly clueless about romance. If I weren't trying to get pregnant and do my duty as soon as possible, who'd want to put up with him night after night?" A glass cup hits the floor, its sharp crack shattering the warmth of the room. Jiang Lian steps slowly out from behind the curtain, his eyes icy and his face livid. "Is that so? I had no idea I've made my wife feel so wronged all these years." * Later. The candle is nearly spent, and the warmth of incense still lingers inside the bed curtains. Jiang Lian's hand wanders unhurriedly. "Here, does my wife enjoy it, or here?" He leans down and takes her earlobe between his lips, his breath scorching. "You aren't saying anything, madam. How am I to know what will please you? Or do you dislike all of this?" As he finishes speaking, he lifts her already limp, powerless waist, his burning chest pressed against her sweat-damp back. "Get on your knees. Then let's try it this way. If you like it, don't forget to tell me." Theme: Heaven's favor, and luck finally turning around