The Lotus Beauty

He Miannian, a girl from a modest family, is radiant and graceful. Her selection as a consort seems all but certain, but to everyone’s surprise, she is rejected at the final selection. While everyone laments her misfortune, He Miannian is made a Grand Princess because she resembles the late daughter of the Empress Dowager. A Grand Princess has a far better life than a low-ranking consort, so He Miannian happily settles into a life of luxury and comfort. But after only a year of carefree living, when it’s time to choose a husband for her, He Miannian suddenly realizes that the Emperor’s gaze has been getting more and more troubling. Just as she is panicking, the real Grand Princess comes back to life. He Miannian’s position becomes awkward, and the Emperor’s intentions are all too obvious. She politely declines the Empress Dowager’s invitation to stay, seizes a chance to escape, and is pulled into Xiao Yue’s arms. He holds her tight, whispering sweet temptations against her ear: “Miannian, if you don’t want to be a Grand Princess, then be my empress.” Dumbfounded He Miannian: Could I, um, just stay a Grand Princess? * Every six months, a woman appears in Xiao Yue’s dreams. They play music and chess together, write poems and paint. They are the very picture of a perfect couple. When he wakes, he feels bereft, but searches everywhere for her in vain. Later, she appears at his consort selection banquet. He is about to excitedly tell his mother that he wants to make her his empress, when his mother points at He Miannian, just as excited, and says: “A Yue, hurry and call her Elder Sister!” Xiao Yue: ? What the heck? “Cherished and Spoiled” blurb Song Wenqing wields power over the court and is ruthless and decisive, yet his little sister is his undoing. A few tears from her are enough to make him promise to pluck the moon from the sky. As his little sister grows up, Song Wenqing thinks it over and decides that no one is good enough for her, so he discusses it with their grandmother. Grandmother calmly takes a sip of tea and smiles. “Then you should marry her.” Song Wenqing: ??? Song Yu: ?!!! * One night, Song Wenqing returns from a social engagement. Song Yu wrinkles her nose at the smell of alcohol, but still takes tender care of him. At last, he praises her: “A Yu has learned how to look after people.” Song Yu feels a little sweetness in her heart. Then she hears him murmur sadly: “But why don’t you act spoiled with your big brother anymore?” Song Yu freezes, her eyes turning red with hurt. She throws herself into his arms and cries, then willfully asks him to carry her back to her room. Song Wenqing gladly agrees, thinking his little sister has returned to her old self. But the next day, she’s a dignified young lady again. Song Wenqing: ... Song Yu, dignified on the outside: I heard my brother likes proper young ladies, so I can’t act spoiled QAQ Theme: Don’t be bound by a predetermined fate. Forge your own path.