Feathers by the River

Yuan Yuqing, a second-rank general of Beiqian with a distinguished military record, is sent by the reigning Emperor Jiang Yunqian to hunt down and kill the emperor's second son, Jiang Luocheng, who is secretly fleeing after plotting rebellion.

Amid the chaos of court affairs, the emperor's own favorite consort, Shen Xiaolin, has gotten involved with the chancellor, Xiang Yan.

Shen Xiaolin secretly shelters the second prince and obstructs Yuan Yuqing at every turn.

When Yuan Yuqing finally tracks him to his hiding place in Shuozhou, she stands outside the Nanfeng Pavilion and wonders, "Isn't this a male brothel?"

Yuan Yuqing: "How much to buy this handsome man out?"

Jiang Luocheng: "There's a sexual predator here! Get him!"

The female lead is Yuan Yuqing, a renowned general of Beiqian with power and influence, dashing and upright in appearance.

The male lead is Jiang Luocheng, Beiqian's second prince, whose looks are unrivaled in the capital. He keeps himself chaste and abides by the rules of gentlemanly conduct.

The leads first meet at the Nanfeng Pavilion.

The female lead thinks the male lead is one of the pavilion's male companions. She figures that if he isn't the second prince, she'll buy him out and take him back to the army.

The male lead thinks the female lead is a woman who knows a little martial arts and enjoys visiting brothels. But her looks and bearing are extraordinary, and the second prince finds himself attracted to her.

The two circle around each other. The female lead buys the male lead out, and from then on, he clings to her.

Later, they learn each other's true identities but keep deceiving one another.

The female lead wants to extract information, while the male lead wants to win her heart.

The female lead is all business, focused on completing her mission.

The male lead is hopelessly in love, focused solely on making her fall for him.

An imperial decree presses her to act, and Yuan Yuqing must make her move, while her superior, Grand Commandant Li, secretly frames her.

Jiang Luocheng is hunted at every turn, never imagining that the person he trusted most would betray him so cruelly.

At the riverbank, sword pointed at him, Jiang Luocheng says, "Could you really bring yourself to kill me?"

Yuan Yuqing: "I just want one honest answer."

Jiang Luocheng: "I love you."

Yuan Yuqing: "That's not the answer."

Jiang Luocheng: "Please love me."

A few notes:

Both leads have only ever been with each other, and the male lead is pure in both body and heart. He loves only the female lead.

Straight romance, happy ending.

Set in a fictional history, with no corresponding real-world dynasty.

The female lead is rational; the male lead is emotional.

Theme: Don't mess with someone who's hopelessly in love.