Did the Crown Princess Get Unmasked Today?

[Identity-Reveal Romance / Marriage First, Love Later / Fated Match / Mutual Firsts]

A principled female general x a devoted crown prince

With his parents' marriage in tatters and his first marriage nothing more than a political arrangement, Chen Zhi had long since grown indifferent to the idea of marrying again.

It would be nothing but another cold political alliance. When the emperor ordered him to take a second wife, a daughter of the Shen family, he felt no anticipation at all, only a trace of displeasure.

Still, the Shen family had helped pacify the border, and during a secret visit to the frontier, he had shared a comradeship with the young General Shen. He greatly admired the young man's loyalty, courage, and decisiveness.

He thought that, for the sake of not discouraging loyal subjects, he should at least make a show of welcoming the marriage.

Fortunately, his new bride was gentle, beautiful, clever, and virtuous, with impeccable manners.

What pleased him most was her kind and sincere nature. Even in the privacy of their chambers, she never tried to flatter him or curry favor.

Aside from her face, so much like her brother's that it sometimes left him momentarily disoriented, everything about her was far better than he had expected.

But gradually, he began to notice that something about his new bride was not quite right.

She handled the affairs of the household with ruthless efficiency, nothing like a sheltered young lady.

She strode around with brisk confidence, yet the moment she saw him, she shrank back like a mouse before a cat.

She had calluses on her palms, secretly read military manuals, and carefully dressed up before seeing him...

Then came the report that Young General Shen had died. He sent men to Lin'an to investigate.

At last, he uncovered a secret the Shen family had gone to great lengths to conceal...

*

Shen Zhaohua had spent years guarding the frontier with her father, disguised as a man. She had never imagined she would return to the secluded inner chambers of a household.

But her father and brother were dead, and the Shen family could not risk the crime of defying an imperial edict. Though she knew she was nothing more than a pawn, she gritted her teeth and married.

She buried her impractical hopes deep inside and resolved to play the part of a crown princess, living as though her life belonged to her family.

On her wedding day, she lowered the round fan and froze:

The noble and dignified Crown Prince before her was none other than the old friend who had fought beside her on the battlefield, sharing life and death!

No matter how deep their bond had once been, she dared not acknowledge him.

If anyone learned that she had taken her brother's place as a general, she would be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

So she deliberately changed her appearance and hid her true nature, believing she had been careful at every turn.

Until one day, forced into a dangerous situation, she used her martial arts, only to discover him standing not far away, watching her with his hands behind his back...

*

Later, turmoil engulfed the realm, and the world grew dark beneath storm clouds.

On the smoke-filled frontier, a young general named Shen Zhao emerged from nowhere, driving back the enemy and slaying their commander, restoring the glory of the dynasty.

On the day the imperial army returned in triumph, Chen Zhi led his ministers to wait outside the capital, ready to welcome the heroes of the realm.

But the one riding toward them along the highway, surrounded by the army and clad in silver armor, was the Crown Princess.

The ministers were stunned. Chen Zhi smiled and took her hand. "Zhaohua, will you take command of the capital's troops and guard our realm with me?"

*

Comrades become husband and wife, their love unwavering.

[Reading Guide]

They are each other's first and only love. The male lead's relationship with his first wife was purely a political partnership, with no physical or emotional involvement.

This is a fictional setting with plenty of creative liberties. Don't take the systems, official titles, or place names too literally.

A sweet romance. Hope you enjoy reading!

Theme: Though the world may be dark, the light within us will always shine.