Spreading Rumors About the Chief Grand Secretary

[Extra chapter updated] My new novel, The Little Marquis's Sweetheart, Has Begun! Please add it to your favorites.

Blurb: [A money-loving junior court memorialist who disguises herself as a man VS a powerful minister with an overpowering possessive streak who spoils his wife]

The Memorial Institute appoints court memorialists to record imperial edicts and ministers' proposals and send them to the provinces, so the court and the people can stay informed about state affairs.

Chen Yuanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Duke's household, holds one of these positions.

But Chen Yuanzhi loves reading folk tales and, taking advantage of her official position, has collected all sorts of rumors about the imperial family and government officials.

By day, dressed in crisp official robes, she writes official documents. By night, in a flowing gauze dress, she composes popular tales and counts her money with a delighted smile.

One day, she writes a rumor about Li Zhen, the top-ranked candidate in this year's imperial examinations.

Before long, people are saying: The top scholar Li Zhen is outstanding in both literature and martial arts, and women are lining up to marry him. But he's taciturn and avoids women. He's still unmarried, so perhaps he prefers men.

The rumor reaches Li Zhen, the newly appointed chief grand secretary.

[Little Scene One]:

Chen Yuanzhi has made quite a bit of money writing popular tales.

One day, she heads home with her pockets stuffed full of cash, only to be cornered by Li Zhen in a narrow alley.

Clutching her crumpled story, Chen Yuanzhi asks nervously, "Lord Li, what are you doing?"

Li Zhen's eyes darken as he advances on her. "I heard you've been spreading rumors about me."

[Little Scene Two]:

Over the past few days, Chen Yuanzhi seems to have been spending a little too much time with one of the junior court memorialists at the Memorial Institute. Li Zhen is seething with jealousy.

That night, Li Zhen holds her around the waist and wipes the rouge from her lips again and again. "From now on, you are not to get so close to him!"

The young woman wears a gauzy, water-blue dress, her long hair cascading like a waterfall. Her delicate appearance is utterly captivating. When she buries her face, even the tips of her ears turn red.

Later, the Memorial Institute is full of popular tales about how deeply in love she and Li Zhen are, and how perfectly they suit each other!

She can't buy off these rumors, even after spending the money she secretly saved for nearly half a year.

[Li Zhen: Pass the word down. Everyone must have a copy.]

1. Set in an imaginary world, so please don't scrutinize it for historical accuracy.

2. Happy ending, sweet romance.

Blurb for my upcoming novel The Little Sweetheart, Please Preorder!

Yongning is home to the famous Qingchun House.

Qingchun House is a place of exquisite beauty and springtime delights.

But unlike other pleasure houses, all the attendants here are men.

Bai Nian has heard that the men at Qingchun House are exceptionally handsome, each one elegant and refined.

Egged on by her close friends, she shamelessly pays the place a visit.

At first, she only wants to broaden her horizons. But then she sees a cool and aloof man who looks like an immortal...

Bai Nian develops feelings she shouldn't have. She pokes the handsome man's face. "Big brother, can I buy you and take you home?"

The man looks momentarily stunned, then smiles like a spring breeze. "Sure."

Later, a rebellion breaks out in the capital, plunging the city into chaos, and the Bai family finds itself in dire straits.

When Bai Nian wakes up, her handsome big brother has disappeared, and her stepmother has sold her into a brothel with a single contract.

Just as she cries until her eyes are red and resists with all her might, the brothel madam suddenly drops her usual cruelty and treats her to the best food and drink.

"Don't be afraid, miss. Since the Little Marquis Qi has bought you, nobody would dare lay a hand on you."

The Little Marquis Qi? Could she mean Qi Xun, the man with a long list of military achievements, a ruthless and sinister reputation, and enough influence to make even the emperor give way to him?

Bai Nian is even more frightened when she hears that. "Why would the Little Marquis Qi buy me?"

[Blurb Two]:

While helping the emperor eliminate corrupt officials, Qi Xun is hunted by assassins and accidentally stumbles into Qingchun House, which is full of male escorts.

Somewhere along the way, a generous little girl pops up and declares that she wants to buy him.

He thinks it might be safer to hide out in the city, where no one will pay much attention to him.

He plans to return to the army once the danger has passed.

Later, when rebellion breaks out in the capital, he returns to camp overnight and leads his troops to put down the revolt.

Everyone in the army knows that the Little Marquis Qi is ruthless and cold-hearted. If you make even the slightest mistake, you'll meet a miserable end.

Until one day, a beautiful, fair-skinned young woman appears in the camp.

Not only does she call the Little Marquis by name, she orders him around and tells him what to do.

The soldiers turn pale. What kind of girl would dare provoke the vindictive Little Marquis?

They watch with anticipation, secretly lifting a corner of the tent flap.

Inside, the Little Marquis has his sleeves rolled up and is kneeling on one knee, holding the young woman's jade-like foot as he asks gently, "Nian Nian, is it still hot?"

[When Qi Xun first met Bai Nian, he felt as if he had returned to the age of nine.

Twelve years after they parted, she appeared again, as lovely as the little girl he remembered.]

1. A sweet, angst-free romance with a groveling hero.

2. Both leads are sexually inexperienced.

3. Set in an imaginary world, so don't scrutinize it for historical accuracy.

Theme: Keep moving forward with warmth, even through the dark.