Second book in progress, I won't abandon it.
After nine years apart from her parents, the maid A Chu suddenly rises from rags to riches, becoming the legitimate daughter of a duke's family.
It is all because her father, a butcher, saved the Emperor's life while he was traveling incognito. They sent an official who happened to be investigating a case nearby to escort her back to the capital.
Only after arriving in the capital does she learn that the official who protected her all along the way and spent months by her side, day and night, is actually the Crown Prince.
A Chu thinks it over. The Crown Prince is a person too, and no matter how glorious it is to be his concubine, a concubine is still a concubine.
The Crown Prince coaxes her: "Good A Chu, who told you such nonsense about becoming a concubine? I'll have his tongue torn out."
A Chu says, "Your father did."
The Crown Prince falls silent, then sighs. "He was talking nonsense."
A Chu says with utter seriousness, "He said your Crown Princess was chosen for you when you were children. I could become your secondary consort, and someday even a Noble Consort, but... I only want to be the one and only wife of someone else."
The Crown Prince's gaze darkens as he corners her against the wall, step by step. "Then tell me, A Chu, who is this someone else?"
Theme: Respect is more precious than affection.
