Spring Deepens Beneath the Folding Moon: Married First, Love Later

At the end of winter, as spring began, the emperor issued two imperial edicts.

The first named Shen Zheyue, the legitimate daughter of the Left Censor-in-Chief, Princess of Yongqing County. The second betrothed her to Cui Xiujin, the young master of the Duke’s estate.

Shen Zheyue wanted no part of the marriage. The Shen family was a respected scholarly clan, and above all, they wanted to stay out of the succession struggle. With the Crown Prince and Prince Rui vying for the throne, the Cui family, as Prince Rui’s maternal relatives, was already caught deep in the maelstrom.

Her future husband was even more troublesome: a man with a deeply calculating nature. He had pretended to be a wastrel for decades, only to place first in the spring imperial examination and be personally named the top third-ranked scholar by the emperor.

His one redeeming quality was that he was exceptionally handsome.

Cui Xiujin, the young master of the Duke’s estate, was known to the world as a wastrel. In truth, he was nothing of the sort.

He had entered the palace as a child to serve as Prince Rui’s study companion, then spent three years on the battlefield alongside Duke Cui. He was the Cui family’s most capable aide, groomed to serve Prince Rui.

Cold-hearted and unsentimental, he put Prince Rui and the Cui family above all else. His only selfish desire was to marry Shen Zheyue.

He knew she did not love him, but he had been devoted to her for years. Now that he had the chance to hold the moon in his arms, how could he possibly restrain himself?

Shen Zheyue thought she and Cui Xiujin would spend their lives together in mutual respect, but she never expected her husband to wear that handsome face every day while swearing his devotion to her.

Then one day, she saw him looking so wronged with her own eyes. She meant to say something comforting.

But his handsome face was right in front of her, and all Zheyue could focus on was his red lips moving. She couldn’t make out a word he was saying.

Cui Xiujin saw her dazed expression and knew she hadn’t heard a thing.

“Are you even listening to me?” He leaned closer.

Zheyue: “I’m willing.”

Silence fell between them. Only then did Shen Zheyue realize what she had said, and her cheeks turned bright red.

Cui Xiujin’s eyes darkened in an instant. Like a bewitching demon in a man’s form, he murmured, “My lady, do you know what you’re saying?”

Shen Zheyue closed her eyes and steeled herself, grabbing his lapel. “I know. I’m willing. Whatever the future holds, at least right now, I’m willing.”

[A few things to know]

1. One-on-one romance, both leads have no prior sexual partners, alternate-history setting

2. There are some angsty parts, but the ending is happy

3. The story may be revised while it’s being serialized. The plot won’t change; revisions will mainly fix typos and awkward phrasing

Coming soon: The Imperial Consort and the Crown:

The Imperial Consort * The Cool and Aloof Imperial Astrologer

No one in the Great Jing court dared cross Imperial Astrologer Pei Chi.

He had grown up on the Starwatch Tower, with no family or friends. He commanded the fate of the realm and the courses of the stars, and held immense power at court.

Everyone said he was impartial and unfeeling, having severed all worldly attachments in his pursuit of Heaven’s will.

One day, the emperor was out on an excursion when he fell in love at first sight with Song Zhixu, the Chancellor’s beloved daughter, and brought her into his harem.

Later, as the Imperial Consort’s favor grew excessive, the court began to grumble.

Pei Chi repeatedly advised the emperor to distance himself from her.

In Pei Chi’s eyes, Song Zhixu was spoiled by favor and disrespectful to the empress. She had nothing going for her but a pretty face.

Song Zhixu knew all of this.

She was a charming, versatile woman and had no desire to make an enemy of the cold-faced imperial astrologer.

Hoping to live in peace, she went to see him in the Imperial Study one day.

She hid all her sharp edges, put on a frail, gentle air, and lowered her eyes with a timid expression, humbly pleading her case.

She only wanted him to show mercy and stop pressing her at every turn.

At the time, Pei Chi looked up at her feigned vulnerability.

His usually impassive heart stirred ever so slightly.

He knew women in the imperial harem were skilled at acting, but he still couldn’t forget the way she had lowered her eyes on the steps that day.

She had said, “This concubine only asks for a small corner where she may live in peace. I hope the Imperial Astrologer will show mercy.”

Pei Chi had calculated the fortunes and misfortunes of the world and kept the entire court in check. His cool, detached heart was unbreakable.

Yet somehow, he fell for this Imperial Consort, whose schemes were still so clumsy.

He couldn’t say when it started, but her image kept appearing in his mind.

Her delicate hand brushing fallen blossoms beneath a peach tree;

Her bright, captivating smile before the emperor;

Her spirited, indignant expression when she was wronged.

…

Pei Chi thought he must be losing his mind.

If so, he would never let Song Zhixu escape his grasp.

As Song Zhixu watched the Imperial Astrologer’s gaze grow darker and more intense, she knew something was wrong.

She hid in her palace for days, refusing to see him.

One night, in a pitch-dark room,

a bold scent of sandalwood drifted to her nose.

“Isn’t it a little late for you to try to run now, Your Highness?”

Reading guide:

1. The heroine has previous experience; the hero does not

2. Alternate-history setting

3. The emperor is still handsome and charming, but his feelings for the heroine are affection, not love

Theme: Strive without end