The Painted Beauty

[Bonus extra chapters will drop at random. Please support the official release; we take no responsibility for pirated copies. The next book is the passionate romance Jinluan Locks the Immortal. Please add it to your collection.] Zhou Miaoya lost her father at a young age and was raised in a Suzhou family with a century-old literary tradition. Fortunately, Grand Master Wen, a leading figure in the literary world of the present dynasty, personally taught her painting. Her brushwork blossomed with brilliance, and her fame spread throughout Jiangnan. Though blessed with the ethereal beauty of an exiled immortal, she lived on eggshells in the Wen family: The refined and imposing eldest grandson, Wen Dalang, had long coveted her, while the second grandson, Wen Erlang, to whom she had been betrothed since childhood, loathed her. Later, Wen Dalang passed the highest imperial examination and became the top scholar. He then turned around and married the daughter of the Chief Grand Secretary, only to abandon his bride on their wedding night, barge into Miaoya's room, and force her to submit. Wen Erlang sought to curry favor with a princess. In front of everyone, he tore up their marriage contract and humiliated her: "A lowly orphan like you thinks you deserve to be my wife?" On a snowy night in the capital, Old Madam Wen died suddenly. Before even seven days had passed, Wen Dalang tried to force Miaoya to become his concubine in the mourning hall. Enraged, that esteemed daughter of the Chief Grand Secretary had her bound and sold to a brothel... As heavy snow blanketed a ruined temple outside the capital, Prince Ning, Zhu Hongyi, rescued Zhou Miaoya as she lay on the brink of death. Her body was covered in wounds, and her bloodied hands clutched a jade pendant tightly. Everyone said that His Highness Prince Ning was so absorbed in painting and calligraphy that he lived a carefree, idle life. He was also the younger brother most favored by the current emperor. Until one day, he pinned her against the wall of a side room in her love rival's residence. His usual gentleness had vanished. His thumb traced the neckline of her slightly open robe, and a dark tide surged in his eyes. "Zhou Miaoya, are you determined to drive me mad?" * A stunning orphan, strong yet tragic, paired with a restrained, gentle, jealous prince. They save each other and join forces as equals. * A tearful heroine who grows stronger, rising from the depths with her wits intact and turning her talent into a path to success. * A male lead as clear and bright as the moon and a gentle breeze, seemingly idle but truly a master of political schemes. He dotes on her obsessively and doesn't even realize how jealous he is. Together, they join forces to tear away the mask of hypocrisy and uncover a century-old bloodshed that shook the dynasty. Reader's guide: This is a fictionalized Ming setting. Please don't nitpick historical accuracy. It includes original worldbuilding, draws on historical sources, and has historical prototypes. The princes do not take up fiefs. All parts of this story involving war and geography are entirely fictional. Please don't compare real historical place names or locations against the story. Thank you for your understanding. One couple, one-to-one romance, both leads' first relationship, happy ending. After consulting with my editor, this novel will officially go premium on Sunday, January 4. Thank you all for your support along the way. There will be a 10,000-word update on launch day. Love you all! Kisses! Please stay with me! This novel has locked chapters. Readers with a subscription rate below 70% will have to wait 48 hours to read them. Kisses~ Theme: From an objectified work of art to the master of her own life