[Cunning, Unhinged Princess x Paranoid, Arrogant Regent]
Wei Ranshuang is an unloved princess.
Her homeland despises her, its ally humiliates her, and even its enemy has its eyes fixed on her.
On her way to be sent off for a political marriage, she is attacked by an enemy nation.
The regent of Qi, Yun Qingying, lies in ambush with his troops, determined to seize the woman inside the bridal sedan.
In the end, he gets his wish. In the dim light, he lifts her veil and finally sees the face he has longed for day and night.
Wei Ranshuang: "Take all my dowry. Just let me go home..."
Yun Qingying curls his lips and whispers in her ear, "Princess, you really do have a short memory. How could you forget me?"
Wei Ranshuang remembers him.
Eight years ago, he was a young hostage sent to Qi... When he was falsely accused of theft, she had stepped in to save him!
Now he has become Qi's regent, yet he shows no gratitude for what she did back then...
He says, "I want nothing. I only want you."
*
To humiliate her, Qi demotes her, a princess of a great nation, to the Eastern Palace's court musician.
The young women of the capital envy her for winning the affection of the refined and gentle Crown Prince all to herself.
But no one asks whether she wants it.
Yun Qingying returns victorious, still wearing his bloodstained armor. In the dead of night, he climbs over the wall into the Eastern Palace and corners her.
His eyes are bloodshot. His long-fingered hand clamps around her chin as he grits out, "I hear the Crown Prince has fallen deeply for a court musician, and knelt for three days and nights, begging to take her as a concubine?"
She does not struggle. Instead, she gently strokes his chest, a bewitching look in her eyes. "My lord, I... will never be a concubine."
She gave him his chance.
The Eastern Palace is decked out with lanterns for the Crown Prince's concubinage banquet when the sound of hoofbeats shatters its revelry.
Yun Qingying dismounts and strides straight toward her, paying no heed to the Crown Prince in his wedding robes. In front of everyone, he sweeps her into his arms.
He steals the Crown Prince's beloved concubine, then turns back and taunts him:
"Your aunt will never be a concubine. Didn't you know?"
Reader's Guide:
1. More angst in the beginning, more sweetness later.
2. A gentler take on forcibly winning someone's heart.
3. Includes romantic rivalry between men.
4. The heroine is somewhat adored by everyone; the hero is completely lovestruck.
5. Set in an imaginary historical world. No need to fact-check.
Theme: Stand on your own two feet and be reborn through fire, even when trapped in dire straits.
