Blurb:
That day, Princess Yun'an held a banquet, and Fu Xuchao attended alone. He knew there was something in the wine, but drank it anyway to put the other party at ease. Afterward, he used the Seventh Prince's affairs as an excuse to leave. As soon as he returned to his courtyard, he quietly instructed his attendant to bring Wen Ran over.
Wen Ran had no idea what was going on. The moment she entered, she saw Fu Xuchao sitting at the table, his face faintly flushed and his eyes dark and inscrutable.
Wen Ran understood at once. She halted midstep. "I'll have someone prepare some cold water."
Fu Xuchao looked at her without moving. "Cold water won't help."
Wen Ran hesitated, pointing behind herself. "Then... should I find you someone?"
She tactfully avoided saying the word "woman."
Fu Xuchao simply stared at her without moving, neither nodding nor shaking his head.
Wen Ran took it as permission and backed away uncertainly, step by step. Just as she reached the door and turned around, a sudden gust swept up behind her, and the door slammed shut right in front of her.
Fu Xuchao's husky voice drew close behind her. "No need to trouble yourself."
Wen Ran had only recently been bestowed as a gift upon Fu Xuchao, who had been held hostage in Daliang for many years. She knew he was merely a dragon trapped in shallow waters and would return home sooner or later. On their wedding night, she had struck a deal with him: she would help him return to his country, and he would help her escape the imperial family. After that, they would go their separate ways. But their agreement hadn't included consummating the marriage.
Fu Xuchao (zhao)
An ancient-style romance set after marriage, from dislike to love,
A stoic, cold male lead VS a gentle, sensible young woman,
A hidden hostage prince VS a princess confined to the cold palace
A story of mutual consent, starting as a transaction with sex but no love, using each other, then gradually falling in love. One-on-one sweet romance.
[Blurb dated April 15, 2022]
Theme: Biding one's time and building strength
