The Lovely Oriole in My Palm

Xue Ying was cherished and pampered like a precious jewel until the age of fifteen. But within a few short days, her engagement was called off, and then her entire family was arrested and their home confiscated.

From then on, she was trapped in the Jiaofang Bureau, a pearl buried in the dust and surrounded by wolves.

On the day she was to be presented, the Jiaofang Bureau was packed with people watching her hungrily. Forced to put on a thin dress, she was left to be chosen by anyone who wished.

Trembling, she listened to the licentious sounds coming from outside the door, unsure who she would have to serve that day.

Her ungrateful former fiance?

One of her father's colleagues, come to kick her while she was down?

She never imagined it would be Cui Jiuxiao, a powerful eunuch!

And he was holding the papers for her release?

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"I'm saving you."

"Why would you save me?"

"To repay a debt."

Xue Ying didn't believe him. The eunuch before her was powerful and influential. What debt could he possibly owe her?

But whether he was telling the truth or not, now that she had escaped the Jiaofang Bureau, she would never go back.

She prepared to fall from heaven into hell, ready to face the storms raging outside.

But who could have guessed that the scoundrel who bullied her would suddenly die in the street? Her former fiance, who wouldn't leave her alone, ended up like a stray dog. Even the wicked woman who mocked her was ridiculed by everyone...

She gazed fearfully at the man before her. He simply smiled and said, "It's fate. Evil deeds bring retribution. It has nothing to do with me."

As the emperor's most trusted lackey, Cui Jiuxiao played with power, looked down on everyone, and was so ruthless that no one dared to speak up. They could only curse him behind his back, calling him a dead eunuch.

When he learned that Prince Xuan coveted Xue Ying, he took the opportunity to rescue her from her imprisonment. His original plan was to pamper her for six months, then give her to Prince Xuan.

But the more he saw Xue Ying smile and frown, the more he liked her. Even the way she cried fascinated him.

Since he'd fallen for her, he would keep her by his side.

So Cui Jiuxiao learned to paint her eyebrows like a refined scholar, keep her company as she admired the moon, and help her fulfill one wish after another. He thought he could make her willingly stay by his side.

But he never expected her to complain to her close friend: "He's just a sinister, scheming eunuch. How could I fall for him? We're just using each other."

Cui Jiuxiao's eyes darkened, and a playful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

If that was how things stood, there was no need to keep pretending. He would use the full force of his power to make her obey. Otherwise, he would break her wings and turn her into a bird that could no longer fly.

Theme: Understanding one another