The Marquis Hasn't Returned Home Today Either

Jian Yao was born with the grace of an immortal and a sweet, delicate voice that seemed as if it could drip with honey.

The moment she moved back to Chang'an, her name spread far and wide.

The young master of the Attendant Minister's household, once notorious for carousing, saw her just once and couldn't forget her. He clamored for his family to arrange a marriage proposal.

When the news reached the young marquis of the Marquis of Su's household, he scoffed indifferently:

"People exaggerate most rumors. If she's really as you say, why would a respectable woman show herself in public? She's all reputation and no substance."

Behind a curtain of pearls, someone stopped walking and committed those words firmly to memory.

Later, the young marquis passed through Su Alley and happened to catch sight of a woman stepping down from a carriage.

His face seemed to sting with every slap.

Before Pei Zhan met Jian Yao, he thought Shen Er must either be an idiot to make such a fuss with his family over a woman, or the woman must be extremely calculating.

After Pei Zhan met Jian Yao, he knew his guess had been right.

The woman was indeed after something. Her gaze always lingered on men in high positions.

So the idle young marquis did two things.

First, he stayed up all night reading romance stories and drafting a plan to win her over.

Second, he was forced onto the road to becoming a powerful minister, so the calculating woman would have no one else in her eyes.

Little scene:

One day, Jian Yao ran into danger on the road and was rescued by someone. She was just about to thank him when she remembered what he had said about her. She hurriedly stepped back several paces to put some distance between them.

Pei Zhan: ...What was wrong with my plan?

Jian Yao thought Chang'an's universally feared young marquis seemed to have something wrong with him.

He clearly disliked her, yet kept coming around and doing things that could easily be misunderstood.

Fortunately, Jian Yao already knew how he felt, so she didn't get carried away.

Pei Zhan: ...Why is she unmoved when I'm making it so obvious?

Reading guide:

1. The pacing varies. The overall tone is sweet.

2. There's no pleasing everyone. If you like it, stay; if not, move on.

[You can check out my upcoming novel, I Shall Obey the Princess Royal's Orders]

Blurb:

Chen Yuan is a princess royal, born bold and domineering. After her elder brother ascends the throne, she becomes even more unrestrained.

They say her residence is filled with countless entertainers and that music and revelry fill her nights. The emperor dotes on her, and no one dares criticize her openly.

Huo Yu has seen the entertainers in the princess royal's residence with his own eyes, and fully believes the rumors circulating in Chang'an.

That is, until the Huo family is imprisoned on charges of plotting rebellion. No one else dares say a word, but the princess royal speaks up for them and spares the Huo family's children and women from execution.

Before being reborn, Huo Yu had no opinion on the princess royal keeping entertainers.

After being reborn, he finds himself frowning over it, feeling that something about it is not quite right.

The young woman is peerlessly beautiful, with exquisite features, and her status is beyond compare.

Those entertainers are as frail as willow branches, practically like women. How could they possibly be worthy of her?

Little scene:

Later, whenever Huo Yu, the powerful minister who holds sway over the court, encounters Chen Yuan, he frowns and lectures the princess royal in a stiff, proper manner about her conduct.

Seeing all the men in Chang'an avoid her, Chen Yuan grows thoroughly fed up. She knits her delicate brows and complains:

"Lord Huo, isn't there enough business at court to keep you busy? Why do you always meddle in my affairs?"

Lord Huo replies expressionlessly, "His Majesty can take care of state affairs."

Chen Yuan's eyes widen. In her anger, she blurts out, "You drove away my entertainers. Are you planning to take their place?"

After being reborn, Huo Yu thinks it over carefully. A life-saving favor should be repaid with one's own hand, and besides, she saved so many members of the Huo family.

Having made up his mind, Lord Huo nods expressionlessly. "The princess has given her command. This minister will obey."

Theme: Never forget your original aspirations