[A short story of a few tens of thousands of words. Check out my other works on my profile.]
Qing Qing had known since childhood that she would one day become a wife of the Song family.
The eldest Song son was gentle as jade, dutiful and respectful. He would make a good husband.
Even without love between them, they had the childhood betrothal to bind them and their well-matched families to support the match.
Qing Qing could find no reason to refuse.
The days passed as placidly as water. As usual, Qing Qing went to the temple to offer incense.
"Careful, sister."
The incense stick nearly burned Qing Qing. She lifted her eyes to see a young man smiling brightly at her.
The burning tip was not close to his palm, but it was close to Qing Qing's heart.
Only later did she learn that the young man was a down-and-out prince named Yin Yuyan. The Yin family's power was held by the clan elders, and even a prince was bullied by them.
Qing Qing remembered the eyes she'd seen when they first met. He looked harmless enough. Perhaps he, too, could make a good husband.
Just then, rumors arose about the Song family. They said the eldest Song son was keeping a mistress and had no moral character. The two families fell out, and the marriage was called off. Qing Qing, meanwhile, crossed the threshold of the Yin family.
To seize power, Qing Qing made her plans and advanced step by step.
As the situation grew more fraught, she turned her head when she felt tired.
Only to see the gaze of the person beside her growing ever more ardent.
Yin Yuyan had been taking medicine since childhood.
People said he was frail and must have some hidden illness.
His clan had abandoned him, and the elders looked down on him.
Yin Yuyan had lain low for years. In public, he remained a down-and-out prince.
He had thought that no one would marry a sickly man like him.
It wasn't until he was dressed in wedding robes that he realized this wasn't a dream.
"Sister, you look beautiful today."
He murmured softly and took the hand of the person before him.
The flame from the incense stick that had nearly burned her earlier still blazed in his palm.
Yin Yuyan knelt on the steps, moving his knees as he made his way upward.
He wanted a title. He wanted the rightful place. He wanted Qing Qing.
1. The heroine's childhood betrothal was only nominal.
2. The second male lead gets the girl. Both leads are virgins.
3. Neither lead is a perfect character.
4. Thanks for reading. If you're interested, please add it to your favorites. Feel free to let it build up before reading!
5. Please add my upcoming story, Hong Kong Island Climate, to your favorites!
Theme: Fair competition
