After I Became Entangled with My Upright Enemy, the Heir

High-sensitivity man x wooden woman || A saint's secret longing

A twelve-year-old murder case resurfaces, and Meng Sheng discovers that her master's name is listed as the culprit in the case files.

Before she can investigate, she runs straight into the victim's closest relative, the Emperor's favorite, and the heir to the Liao'an Marquisate, Jiang Jin.

Jiang Jin grew up in luxury and is every inch the refined young nobleman. Quiet and upright, he's still no one to trifle with.

Not long after their first meeting, he calmly lowered his eyes, his long fingers toying with a porcelain cup, and even listened politely as Meng Sheng spun her tale of lies.

She thought he believed her and would let this enemy who had seemingly dropped out of the sky off the hook for now. But... he really did decide to kill her.

Meng Sheng knew she should run, but fate kept throwing them together. When she realized the man was always following close behind, she began plotting a way out.

This man valued his family's reputation above his own life and remained proper and courteous even to his enemies. Why not use that against him to set a trap, and take the opportunity to uncover the truth about the murder?

And so, the once lofty heir ended up in prison because of her.

Meng Sheng visited him through the iron bars, ready for him to flay her with his eyes. Instead, Jiang Jin merely looked up, his lashes trembling as he said softly:

"It's damp in here. Don't come again. You'll only harm your health."

Meng Sheng silently felt sorry for him, had someone send him a robe, and thought:

The pride of heaven? More like a fool.

*

Jiang Jin didn't consider himself a saint, but he did have a reputation for being a noble gentleman. Yet after meeting that woman, he had done every kind of outrageous thing right alongside her.

His family punished him, and the world's cruel gossip stung his ears. He bore it all in silence, only for Meng Sheng to turn away from him without looking back.

On the day she left, he kept himself under control and stayed ten paces away, never showing himself. He lowered his head and caught the first snowflakes to fall over the capital. They melted in his hand as if he were holding back a tear.

His eyes were dark and inscrutable as he repeated numbly:

"This place is filthy. It's for the best that she's gone."

"It's for the best..."

*

Three years later, Jiang Jin climbed over a pile of corpses to reach the very pinnacle of power. He thought he was no longer the naive person he used to be.

Until the old acquaintance who had disappeared returned to his sight, bearing the title of Holy Maiden.

Those who knew the truth remained at ease.

"It's fine, it's fine. That's Lord Jiang, a gentle and upright man! Surely he wouldn't do anything underhanded, would he?"

In a dark room, he cornered the woman who had haunted his dreams for three years. His scorching breath brushed her neck. The next moment, his cool palm covered the back of her head, protecting her from hitting it. That was the last of his restraint.

Meng Sheng wasn't going to let him get away with taking advantage of her for nothing. "How brazen of you, Lord Jiang. What are you going to offer in exchange for that kiss?"

The candlelight remained tender, and the flush at the corners of Jiang Jin's eyes had yet to fade. His voice was hoarse as he replied:

"Anything you want."

"Your Holiness, whatever you desire, you can use me as a stepping stone to reach it. How does that sound?"

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*Bonus scene:

Meng Sheng (suspicious): What are you really after?

Jiang Jin (honest man finally throwing caution to the wind): I don't need a title. I just want to stay by your side... okay?

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Reading guide:

Hopelessly devoted husband x kind, resilient woman like a reed

Powerful man lowering his head for love || winning her back || innocent puppy-like male lead || unwittingly training him and being trained || male lead has a tiny streak of darkness, but his values are sound

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Tips:

Some official positions are original.

Both leads have growth arcs as they learn to understand themselves.

Romance and plot are evenly split. It's a political intrigue novel. So far, the early story focuses on the romance, while the plot develops quietly in the background.

Both leads are virgins. The male lead is three years older than the female lead. They are each other's first love, a young man and woman.

Theme: In the end, we'll walk side by side.