[A princess, gloomy and withdrawn at first but bold and unrestrained later, x a gentle, principled gentleman. The aloof paragon turns dark and loses his mind.]
Jiang Mingxi first met Cui Heng in the second year of her confinement to the Cold Palace, after her bloodline was called into question.
Cui Heng was the Empress's nephew, a man of unmatched grace and integrity. Before he had even come of age, he had placed third in the palace examination. He was the dream lover of all the young ladies in the capital.
Jiang Mingxi's younger half-sister had come to gloat, and her servants held Jiang Mingxi underwater until she was on the verge of death.
Cui Heng stopped the bullying, then gently comforted her after everyone else had left. "Princess, you must live well."
The next time Jiang Mingxi saw Cui Heng was at the coming-of-age ceremony for her third younger sister, Princess Jiang Mingyue.
Princess Mingyue sat in the seat of honor, the center of everyone's attention. Cui Heng, her newly betrothed husband, stood gently by her side. The consorts and noblewomen gathered around them, offering auspicious wishes and praising the couple as a perfect match whose marriage would bring their families even closer.
Jiang Mingxi huddled in a corner, watching it all with a gloomy expression.
Why shouldn't she have the exalted status and such a fine husband?
Later, a new emperor ascended the throne, and Jiang Mingxi was made Grand Princess for her role in helping him seize power. Jiang Mingyue and the Empress's family, meanwhile, became like stray dogs, living in constant fear.
The gentleman who had once been as flawless as jade knelt at Jiang Mingxi's skirts. "Princess, I beg you to spare my family."
Jiang Mingxi smiled cruelly and lifted Cui Heng's chin. "Now that you have nothing, Lord Cui, what do you think you can offer to beg for my mercy?"
Under her undisguised gaze, Cui Heng's trembling hands reluctantly and shamefully opened his robes. "As you wish, Princess."
Chains jingled between the sheets. Cui Heng was clearly consumed by desire, yet all he did was turn away with a soft pant. "I truly regret saving you on an impulse all those years ago."
The first few times could still be called exciting. But as time passed and her youthful obsession faded, Jiang Mingxi soon grew bored after having her way with him.
Now all she had to do was beckon, and countless men would gladly grovel at her feet, vying for her favor. Why should she keep putting up with Cui Heng's cold expression?
The next time Cui Heng closed his eyes and waited for her to do as she pleased, Jiang Mingxi unlocked his chains for him. "Go. You're free."
**
Months later, reports came in of former Crown Prince's followers in the north. Jiang Mingxi went to inspect the area, but was caught in the unrest and abducted to a small courtyard.
Cui Heng knelt at her feet with chains in his hands, his expression burning with desire. "Princess, I've learned some new tricks. Would you like to try them?"
"I can give you anything you want. Please, don't go to anyone else..."
Reading guide:
(1) One-on-one romance, both leads are each other's first, happy ending.
(2) The heroine is not perfect.
Blurb screenshot taken on June 26, 2026
The story's message: Love grows with time.
