I See the Bright Moon

[An alternate world, a faux-sibling romance. Neither lead is a perfect person.]

The day Gu Yue was recognized and brought back to the Prince of Ning's estate, the princess consort wept with joy. Everyone was happy for Gu Yue. The young lady of the Prince of Ning's household had spent years living away from home, and now that she had finally returned, she was showered with love and care. That is, until Gu Yue met her elder brother, Xie Zhu.

As the heir to the Prince of Ning, Xie Zhu was highborn, talented, refined, and handsome. He was the ideal match in the hearts of countless young noblewomen in the capital. Becoming his younger sister would surely be the envy of all.

Yet the moment they met, Xie Zhu saw through Gu Yue's secret. He detested her. In his eyes, she was a crafty, greedy liar, and even looking at her was an insult to his eyes.

Xie Zhu warned her: Just behave as a young lady of the Prince of Ning's household. Don't set your sights on anything else.

Gu Yue agreed. She was after wealth and status, and nothing more.

From then on, Gu Yue diligently learned music and painting so she wouldn't bring shame on the prince's household. She also washed her hands and made soup to please the princess consort, always setting some aside to bribe her dear elder brother.

There was no more devoted younger sister in the world.

Thanks to Gu Yue's tireless efforts, Xie Zhu's attitude began to change. He started allowing her to get close, teaching her to read and write, taking her out to relax, and standing up for her whenever anyone bullied her, just like a real older brother.

Gu Yue was pleased. She thought everything would work out, but she didn't notice that Xie Zhu's gaze was changing, concealing thoughts he could never reveal.

Until the day Gu Yue's marriage was being arranged.

Xie Zhu pinned her against the wall and kissed her recklessly. Just beyond the wall, a noisy banquet glowed with bright lights. Shocked, furious, and frightened, Gu Yue couldn't break free and couldn't stop herself from slapping him. She thought he'd be angry.

Instead, Xie Zhu gave a low laugh. The elder brother who was always cool and dignified now looked at her with possessive obsession. He gently caressed Gu Yue's cheek and said, "Yueya, you don't think I taught you all those things just so you could marry someone else, do you?"

Xie Zhu coaxed her: "What's so great about being a young lady of the Prince of Ning's household? Wouldn't you rather be the heir's consort?"

Only then did Gu Yue understand that Xie Zhu wasn't the gentle, courteous older brother she'd thought he was. There had never been any deep sibling affection between them. Everything that had happened between them had been part of Xie Zhu's long-laid plans. She'd simply been too slow to notice.

Xie Zhu's life had been dark for as long as he could remember, like walking alone through the night. Fortunately, he found a bright moon.

Then he claimed the moon for himself.

A wildgrass heroine X a male lead who starts out indifferent as a chrysanthemum and later cracks

The leads are not blood-related, and nothing intimate will happen while they are still considered siblings.

This novel will be available to purchase on April 25. Thank you for your support!

New story preview: Crane in a Cage

Also known as: After My Enemy Died, I Fell for His Concubine

The day Marquis Changping Shen Que died, Xue He stood before his memorial tablet, weeping bitterly.

She was stunningly beautiful, even when she cried, and everyone couldn't help looking at her.

Rumor had it that Shen Que had adored this concubine while he was alive, pampering her and giving her everything she wanted. Now that Shen Que was dead and Xue He was so heartbroken, she must be a devoted and loyal woman.

Everyone thought so.

Until Li Xuansu appeared.

As a rising star in the capital, Li Xuansu had a deep grudge against Shen Que, and the two had always been at each other's throats. Now that Shen Que was dead, Li Xuansu arrived uninvited, wearing the air of a victor. The people of the Marquis of Changping's household ground their teeth in rage.

Li Xuansu admired his enemy's memorial tablet, then noticed Xue He standing beside it.

A moment later, he reached out to her: Shen Que is dead. You have no one left to rely on. Why not come with me?

Xue He stopped crying for only a moment before taking Li Xuansu's hand.

Li Xuansu came from the Special Investigation Bureau. He was the emperor's attack dog, ruthless and vindictive, with more schemes than a sieve had holes. Countless people had died horribly at his hands. Everyone couldn't help thinking Xue He wouldn't last long, but no one expected her to thrive and become the apple of Li Xuansu's eye.

At first, Li Xuansu only took Xue He away to humiliate Shen Que in front of his memorial tablet. Later, he realized that he was the one being humiliated.

Xue He was born with a heart of ice and cared about nothing but herself. Men meant nothing to her. To her, Li Xuansu and Shen Que were no different. She could cry for Shen Que, and she could cry for Li Xuansu, if he wanted her to.

Li Xuansu heard this and ground out through clenched teeth: Thanks, but I don't need that.

When they were caught up in passion, he would stroke Xue He's jade-like cheek and ask: Am I better, or was Shen Que?

Xue He wouldn't answer, only staying silent. When Li Xuansu pressed her, she'd timidly say: You're both good.

That nearly drove Li Xuansu to his grave.

When assassins attacked and he was near death, Li Xuansu thought of Xue He at home and fought his way through a sea of blood. He couldn't die yet. If he did, that heartless little thing would run off with someone else.

After narrowly escaping death time and again, Li Xuansu finally returned home. The good news: Xue He was still there.

The bad news: Shen Que wasn't dead after all. He had come back.

Theme: No matter the circumstances, keep your passion alive and strive to move forward