[Sweet historical romance x adorable cast x devoted couple HE]
Lu Huanyin, dressed as a man, crawls through a dog hole and is caught red-handed by the new emperor, Shang Xunyin.
To save her life, she pinches her voice and pretends to be a little eunuch. "Your Majesty, I can grind ink!"
To her surprise, a smile flickers in the young emperor's eyes. "Then stay and serve as my study companion."
From then on, in the Wenhua Pavilion:
By day, she accompanies him as he reviews memorials and discusses state affairs; at night, she secretly rubs her shoulders, sore from being bound flat.
He discreetly gives her a footstool while annotating a memorial: "Lu, my study companion, lost focus three times today. Her waist must be bound too tightly."
Until her secret identity is exposed in the apricot grove. He holds the crabapple hairpin she can no longer hide, his voice gentle and amused:
"The daughter of Chancellor Lu, as my empress... How does that sound?"
A bonus sweet scene, updated alongside the main story
The adorable little princess tugs at the sleeve of her taciturn guard. "Ling Qin, I want to learn archery!"
Ling Qin's ears turn bright red. "Your Highness, that would be improper..."
"Then teach me in secret!" She blinks. "I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Later, the guard corrects her stance while silently reciting a calming mantra to himself.
[Reader's Guide]
√ Two couples: Chancellor's daughter in disguise as a man x warm-hearted, scheming young emperor | adorable little princess x taciturn, devoted guard
√ No angst or frustrating plot points, just sweetness and adorable everyday moments
√ Woman disguised as a man | emperor's study companion | marriage first, love later | mutual pining
√ Court politics are just a backdrop. Romance is the real business
Theme: Love means seeing the real you and holding you close to one's heart.
