Proud, prickly villainess x arrogant young general (both are proud and prickly)
A combative young couple | bickering lovers | a stubborn man gets his comeuppance and chases his wife
Unruly big sister and "good girl" vs. devoted puppy eyes and "bad boy"
Xi Zhao, daughter of the Duke of Gaoping, courtesy name Shanrong.
You might think she's a well-behaved, considerate young lady from a prominent family. Think again.
Rumors abound in the capital: Fourth Miss Xi is spoiled and arrogant on account of her family, with a volatile temper. Her servants are punished for the smallest mistake.
She can't stand her female cousins and schemes to ruin her third sister's marriage.
It's a pity that although Fourth Miss Xi has a terrible personality, she looks far too sweet.
She has two great grudges in life.
Her first is against her fiance, Yu Xuanjin, who prides himself on being upright and proper. He boldly shows up at her home and asks to switch betrothed brides so he can marry her third sister instead.
Yu Xuanjin once declared, "Although Third Miss is the duke's niece, she is both beautiful and wise, well-read and gracious. She should be a model for the young ladies of the capital. She is also the one my heart desires. I would welcome her as the future mistress of the Yu household..."
Everyone thinks Xi Zhao must be furious at being humiliated and will go after Xi Han.
Xi Zhao is indeed furious. She slams the table and stands. "You little brat! My sister is far beyond the likes of you!"
Yu Xuanjin looks down his nose at her. "Then let's break off the engagement! I want to see which noble family would still consider a match with you once you're rid of me!"
"You killed your own mother at such a young age, and you're arrogant, domineering, and unreasonable. No wonder no one wants you."
Xi Zhao simply slaps him across the face and smiles coldly. "What does it matter to you if no one will marry me? And I doubt anyone would want to marry you, either."
"I'll marry her."
A clear, bright voice rings out nearby.
A young man in fine clothes and a jade belt leans against the corridor, smiling as he watches her with interest.
Xi Zhao: ...
Xi Zhao knows him well enough.
Xin Jihuai, heir to the Duke of Yingguo.
His reputation is hardly better than hers.
The young man holds an important post. He is currently a Cavalry General, commanding the capital's elite horsemen. With his handsome looks, he should be the most celebrated young nobleman in Huajing.
Unfortunately, he's arrogant and unruly, and people say the Heir Xin is cold-blooded and impossible to get along with.
Xi Zhao thinks to herself: Looks like I've finally met my match.
When she first met Xin Jihuai, they fought before they ever got to know each other. A petty misunderstanding left them on bad terms.
Unsatisfied with merely trading insults, she secretly hired people to teach him a lesson.
The Heir Xin was caught off guard and left in a sorry state.
She never expected him to hold a grudge so deeply that he'd want to marry her.
That is her second great grudge.
After accidentally becoming entangled with this unruly heir, they spend a long time trying to outdo each other.
In the end, neither manages to win.
*Even a female Rakshasa might not look down on the White Impermanence.
Reading guide
1. One-on-one romance, both leads devoted only to each other, each other's first love, young couple who love to challenge one another. The male lead falls first. I only write stories with devoted male leads.
2. The heroine is not a traditional villainess. She's a mischievous little rascal, but her values are sound: fiercely protective, quick to avenge a wrong, and detests evil.
3. Set in an alternate Wei-Jin era, with many invented details. Please don't nitpick historical accuracy.
May 19, 2026 (blurb screenshotted)
Theme: Dare to make the sun and moon shine anew
