Blazing Moonlight

[Main story complete]

[Contains extensive rewrites. Please refer to the latest updates. No responsibility is taken for pirated versions other than those on JJ.]

[Main story complete]

All the prominent families in Linzhou knew that the Xiao residence housed a cousin called A Luo. She was barely of marriageable age, yet had already blossomed into a dazzling beauty, unmatched in loveliness. She was greatly favored by Old Madam Xiao, who planned to marry her to the family's handsome and refined second son.

A talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven.

Only the haughty and arrogant Third Young Master Xiao scoffed. "This woman is glib and manipulative. She is no suitable match."

When the words reached A Luo, her willow-shaped eyes glistened with a mist of tears. She lowered her head and smiled faintly as she said it was all right.

The sight of a beauty in tears tugged at everyone's heartstrings.

No one knew that in a dim little room in the lakeside pavilion, crystal-clear pearls rolled across the floor as Third Young Master Xiao gazed at her with dark eyes and a knowing smile. "Cousin, how about you marry me instead?"

Across from him, A Luo smiled brightly and answered firmly, "No way."

From the day A Luo arrived at the Xiao residence, she and Xiao Qihuai could hardly stand each other. Neither was willing to be the first to back down.

When they reunited after a long separation, he was sarcastic and she was barbed beneath her sweetness. They were like fire and water.

Later, as they lay close together, A Luo softly reminded him, "I heard someone thinks I'm glib and manipulative, and no suitable match."

Xiao Qihuai held the slender, pale fingers pressed against his heart and answered with composure, "That must have been some wretch who's coveted A Luo for years but doesn't dare admit it."

#She was the brightest beam of light, the light he yearned for even while trapped in darkness.

Reader's guide:

1. The male lead is an arrogant, sharp-tongued jerk.

2. He chases his wife through the fire in the first half; the second half is sweet, doting 1v1 romance.

3. Fictional setting with original worldbuilding. Extremely slow-paced and slice-of-life. The political intrigue is only a backdrop. Not a wish-fulfillment story.

[This story will be available for purchase on Thursday, September 2. Thank you, little angels, for your support!]

My next story will be Locking Away Arrogance. Feel free to add it to your library~

He Yan is the only daughter of the Prince of Ru, who guards the northern frontier. Beautiful and radiant, she became famous throughout the land for her sword dance performed to send off the troops.

When she came of age, the Emperor personally wrote an edict naming her the Crown Prince's consort. She was fawned over by everyone and became the talk of the town.

Yet He Yan herself felt no joy at all. In a dream, she learned she would be used to frame the Crown Prince as unworthy, and would die from a cup of poison within the palace walls. She would never live to enjoy the fine clothes, riches, and glory others spoke of.

In the lonely, desolate tomb, only the young Emperor would visit her grave, leaning against her headstone to keep her company.

Remembering how tenderly he had gazed at her epitaph, she went straight to the palace and pushed open the Eastern Palace gates without hesitation.

and was promptly kicked out by the Crown Prince, his expression icy.

**

Banners fluttered, drums thundered, and the bright red of her clothes shone against the sharp glint of her sword. She blazed like the proud morning sun, dazzling enough to make people look away.

At first, he stood among the crowd, engraving every detail into his memory.

Later, as he woke from dreams in the dead of night, he reminded himself again and again that he had one more thing to worry about: she was his elder brother's fiancée, his future sister-in-law.

Later still, the woman before him stood beneath the steps, her exquisite features radiant as she looked around. In a clear voice, she said:

"I, your humble subject, do not wish to marry the First Prince. I beg Your Highness to grant my request."

He lowered his eyes and rubbed his white jade thumb ring, sighing softly. "Since you are unwilling, Miss He, then so be it."

**

At last, the engagement was called off. To avoid drawing attention, He Yan quickly packed her belongings, ready to return north and keep the Prince of Ru company.

Before leaving, she remembered to visit the palace and bid the Crown Prince farewell. "Take care, Your Highness. It's time for me to go get married and live my own life!"

The Crown Prince's expression did not change. He ordered someone to bring her a farewell drink.

The chamber was dim, the spring curtains warm. The elegant and refined Crown Prince gently caressed her skin-smooth cheek, his gaze dark and menacing. "Zhaozhao, who else do you want to marry?"

Theme: Even when life is dark, you can still find the light.