A Precious Jade Embracing a Beauty

Upcoming novel: Cloud-Climbing, Moon-Chasing

Yingning was married off.

The emperor arranged the match, and her husband was the Ninth Prince, the current Prince of Jin, Song Jianzhi. He was a lawless, violent tyrant whose name alone could stop children from crying at night.

That wasn't even the worst part. Her family, the Jiangs, just happened to be on the Crown Prince's side.

She couldn't disobey the emperor's decree, so Yingning had no choice but to keep her head down. Fortunately, she was easygoing. Aside from good food and staying alive, she wanted nothing, so no one had much to hold over her.

"You really think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

"If you won't eat the almond pastries from Wanxiang Pavilion, I'll throw them away."

Yingning: "..."

It was only natural that she had no backbone, given her lowly position, right?

-

Song Jianzhi had married a little princess. She was a bit foolish, but at least she was sincere with him. She was always trailing after him, calling him "husband" this and "husband" that. She had nearly become an idiot trying to save him, so perhaps it wouldn't hurt to keep her for the rest of his life.

To seize the throne, he staged a desperate escape from certain death with the help of others.

He fooled his father, fooled his brother, and naturally fooled his little princess, whose ears practically radiated stupidity.

Knowing she was timid and loved food, he had arranged to pick her up from her parents' home afterward.

But the day after he got into trouble, Yingning, who should have been staying at the Grand Tutor's residence, appeared in the prison. Wearing a guard's uniform and with soot smeared on her face, she smuggled him two bags of walnut pastries.

Song Jianzhi put on a cold expression to frighten her. "If anyone discovers you, you won't be able to leave. You'll have to go to the execution block with me."

She didn't answer. Looking down, she unwrapped the oil paper and quietly explained, "Hot food smells too strong. I couldn't bring it in." By the time she had unwrapped the last one, tears were streaming down her face.

Song Jianzhi sighed and drew her into his arms. He was just about to soften and comfort her when she choked out, "Song Jianzhi, you have to be all right."

Yingning sniffed and solemnly added, "If something happens to you, it'll be hard for me to remarry as a widow."

The man's hand stopped as he wiped away her tears. His voice was as cold as the depths of winter. "Which young master has Yingning taken a liking to?"

Yingning patted his shoulder and added, heedless of the danger: "Once you get out alive, you'll be able to see for yourself."

-

1. Marriage first, love later. A light, sweet romance.

2. A crazy, murderous tyrant x a food-loving, feigned simpleton.

One is openly wicked, the other guilelessly sincere. She draws him into the world of mortals.

Content warning: The male lead is not a conventional good guy, and he treats the female lead badly at first.

Theme: Strive relentlessly to improve yourself.