After I Toyed With and Abandoned My Cold, Delicate Husband

[Beautiful, Alluring, Scheming Princess vs. Cool, Pure-Hearted Untouchable]

Ever since the Crown Prince died in the witchcraft scandal, Princess Yongzhao Mu Qinghuan has held on to just one belief: avenge her elder brother.

After many twists and turns, she discovered that the Imperial Consort who was really behind it all had borne a son with another man before entering the palace. Through a strange turn of events, that son took someone else's identity and became Jiang Huai, the illegitimate son of a fallen marquis's household.

She disguised herself as a delicate, pitiful flower and deliberately drew close to him, hoping to deal the Imperial Consort a fatal blow at just the right moment.

Jiang Huai seemed aloof and taciturn, but in truth he was pure-hearted and easy to fool. With only a few little tricks, she had him completely devoted to her.

At first, Mu Qinghuan regarded him as nothing more than a useful pawn, and prided herself on never having given him her heart.

Later, Mu Qinghuan thought that since he loved her so deeply, she would find a way to spare his life once everything was settled.

But after the Imperial Consort died and her revenge was complete, she watched Jiang Huai, utterly heartbroken, drink poison in front of her, and suddenly felt pain she could hardly bear.

*

Jiang Huai rescued a young woman in distress.

Her life had been miserable, yet she scraped together money to support his studies. Though timid and frail, she stood in front of him whenever trouble arose.

He swore he would never let her down. Then he saw the young woman transform into Princess Yongzhao, the emperor's most beloved daughter.

Everyone envied his good fortune at winning an imperial princess's favor. But when he finally awoke from his dream, he learned that a sea of bloodshed lay between them, and that everything had been a carefully planned deception by Mu Qinghuan.

But his love had taken root too deeply. There was no saving him now.

*

In the second year after losing Jiang Huai, Mu Qinghuan followed a trail of clues to a remote little town.

After that, every morning, something novel would appear on Jiang Huai's windowsill, along with a crookedly written note: Has Magistrate Jiang forgiven Her Highness the Princess today?

Smooth talk, and not the slightest sign of remorse.

Day after day, Jiang Huai coldly tossed the gifts out and reinforced the courtyard wall for good measure.

Until one day, Mu Qinghuan casually handed a rejected sachet to the young man next door, who stumbled through a confession of his feelings.

The next moment, someone suddenly clamped a hand around her wrist.

Jiang Huai's eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse.

"You only had to coax me for a few days. Did Your Highness tire of me that easily?"

"If you meant to deceive me, why... wouldn't you deceive me for the rest of our lives?"

Reader's Guide: (1) One-on-one romance, both leads sexually inexperienced, happy ending.

(2) Fictional setting, many original details, no need to nitpick historical accuracy.

(3) The male lead suffers early on; later, the heroine pursues him.

-------------------- The following is a preview of an upcoming novel

[Initially gloomy, later bold princess x gentle, proper gentleman; the untouchable flower falls into darkness and goes mad]

The first time Jiang Mingxi saw Cui Heng was in the second year after she was confined to the Cold Palace because her parentage was in doubt.

Cui Heng was the Empress's nephew, distinguished and uncommonly refined. Before he had even come of age, he had placed third in the palace examinations, making him the dream of every young lady in the capital.

Jiang Mingxi was held underwater by her younger imperial sister's attendants, who had come to kick her while she was down. She was at death's door.

Cui Heng stopped the bullying, then gently comforted her after everyone else had left. "Your Highness, live on."

The next time she saw Cui Heng was at the coming-of-age ceremony for her third younger sister, Princess Jiang Mingyue.

Princess Mingyue sat in the place of honor, surrounded by admirers. Cui Heng, her newly betrothed consort, sat gently by her side. The assembled consorts and noblewomen chimed in with auspicious words, praising the happy couple as a perfect match whose marriage would bring their families even closer.

Jiang Mingxi shrank into a corner, watching it all with a gloomy stare.

Why couldn't that be hers, whether it was a life of wealth and privilege or such a wonderful husband?

Later, the new emperor ascended the throne, and Jiang Mingxi was named Grand Princess for helping him secure it. Jiang Mingyue and the Empress's clan, meanwhile, became outcasts, living in constant fear.

The once noble and upright young gentleman knelt at Jiang Mingxi's feet. "Your Highness, please spare my family."

Jiang Mingxi smiled cruelly and lifted Cui Heng's chin. "Lord Cui, you have nothing left. What could you possibly offer to beg this princess?"

Under her brazen gaze, Cui Heng's trembling hands undid his collar, his restraint laced with humiliation. "As Your Highness wishes."

Chains jingled between the sheets. Though desire surged through Cui Heng, he only turned his face aside with a soft pant. "I truly regret saving Your Highness when I let my heart soften all those years ago."

Once or twice, it had been a bit of fun. But as time passed, her youthful obsession faded, and Jiang Mingxi soon tired of him after having her way.

Now, all she had to do was beckon, and countless men would gladly prostrate themselves at her feet, competing to please her. Why should she keep looking at Cui Heng's cold face?

When Cui Heng once again closed his eyes and waited for her to do as she pleased, Jiang Mingxi unlocked his chains. "Go. You're free."

**

Months later, reports arrived from the north of remnants of the former Crown Prince's faction. Jiang Mingxi went to inspect the area, only to be captured in the midst of the unrest and taken to a small courtyard.

Cui Heng knelt at her feet, holding a set of chains, his expression burning with desire. "Your Highness, I've learned some new tricks. Would you like to try them?"

"I can give you anything you want. Please, don't go looking for anyone else..."

Reader's Guide:

(1) One-on-one romance, both leads sexually inexperienced, happy ending.

(2) The heroine is not a perfect character.

Theme: Sincerity can overcome any hardship.