Keeping the Green Plum for Myself

The Sheng family, home of Grand Tutor Sheng, and the Cui family, home of Minister of Justice Cui, were separated by a single wall. The two households should have been close, but Grand Tutor Sheng and Minister Cui disagreed politically and were sworn enemies.

Because of this, Sheng Wanshu's own brother, Sheng Mingyu, had taught her since childhood to stay away from the Cuis, a family with hearts full of sinister schemes.

Sheng Wanshu refused to believe him. She had her maids set up a flower ladder and climbed onto the wall whenever she could, just to catch a glimpse of the young man in the neighboring courtyard.

Later, Sheng Wanshu learned that the elegant, handsome young man next door, with his cool temperament, was Cui Feng, the Cui family's eldest legitimate son.

The next time she climbed the wall, Cui Feng reached out both arms and caught her, gently setting the little girl on the ground.

Blushing with embarrassment, Sheng Wanshu clung to him and wheedled, "Brother Fengzhi, don't."

Cui Feng shook his head helplessly, took her soft little hand, and led her inside.

It was no wonder Sheng Wanshu loved climbing the wall. Of everyone in the world, she loved her Brother Fengzhi most.

Sheng Wanshu and Cui Feng grew up together as childhood sweethearts. When the young woman came of age, however, Grand Tutor Sheng refused to let his beloved daughter marry into the Cui family.

On the day Cui Feng became the top imperial graduate, an imperial edict arrived.

Sheng Wanshu was bestowed the title of princess and ordered to marry into Dalong.

It was the first time Sheng Wanshu had cried in front of Cui Feng. She sobbed and protested, refusing to marry.

Cui Feng held her tightly and comforted her again and again. He said that wherever she went, he would go with her.

On the journey to her marriage, Cui Feng personally escorted her.

On a full-moon night, as blood filled the sky, Sheng Wanshu watched helplessly as her beloved Brother Fengzhi died in the wilderness. They could not even piece together his body.

Sheng Wanshu broke down and drew her blade.

*

Once more perched atop the wall, Sheng Wanshu stood on the flower ladder and smiled down at the young man below.

Her Brother Fengzhi was whole and unharmed in this life, with refined features and a bright, moonlike presence.

Yet whenever she looked at him, she could not help remembering that dark, endless past.

Cui Feng looked up and held out his arms to catch her. Smiling, Sheng Wanshu leaped into his embrace.

She thought: But it doesn't matter. What happened in my previous life is all in the past now, isn't it, Brother Fengzhi?

Please note before reading:

1. This is a one-on-one romance with both leads' first times, sweet pampering, childhood sweethearts, and a young married couple.

2. The cover is by the artist Hanqing Huaxuan, Yuexia Midie.

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