Marrying the Son of Heaven

A teaser for my upcoming historical romance, A Love Reserved for You (Reborn). Its blurb is below; the blurb for this novel is at the end.

Upcoming Historical Romance: A Love Reserved for You (Reborn)

Zhao Youwu was the long-lost daughter the Duke of Zhenguo had fathered among the common folk in his youth. At fifteen, after enduring countless hardships, she finally reclaimed her place in the family, going from a poor girl to the eldest daughter of the Duke's household.

No one knew that in her previous life, Zhao Youwu had suffered endless bullying and humiliation before meeting a tragic end. Reborn, even though life in the great family estate was a constant struggle, she refused to be a pawn controlled by others and live out her days in misery.

In this life, she approaches Prince An as the duke's daughter. They are mutually devoted, and everything seems to fall into place. But then the Marquis of Zhennan appears out of nowhere, cornering her beneath a parasol tree on the back hill of Liuyun Temple. He sneers, "Zhao Youwu? Didn't you drown yourself outside the Suizhou military camp three years ago?"

Yan Junshen, the Marquis of Zhennan, is a debauched man with a remarkable talent for military command. He is stationed at the strategic pass in Suizhou and is a pillar of the court.

Three years ago, Yan Junshen took a beauty into his tent in defiance of military law, spoiling her day and night. Everyone called the beauty "Little Madam."

They thought she was just a passing amusement for Yan Junshen, but when Little Madam suddenly disappeared, he flew into a rage and sank into a long period of despair.

Later, Yan Junshen returned to the capital to report on his duties. When he saw a familiar figure at the duke's residence, his eyes lit up, only to learn that Zhao Youwu, the duke's eldest daughter, was intimately involved with Prince An.

From then on, rumors spread that the Marquis of Zhennan and Prince An had fallen out. Zhao Youwu, the supposed cause of it all, didn't care in the least and never even gave Yan Junshen a kind look.

Zhao Youwu: Yan Junshen, you've gone too far!

Yan Junshen: When have I ever wronged you? Weren't you the one begging me every time?

Zhao Youwu: Shameless!

Yan Junshen: This shameless man is the one keeping your secret. Would you rather be Prince An's secondary consort or the Marchioness of Zhennan?

The words that followed drifted into Zhao Youwu's ear, leaving her so embarrassed and furious that she regretted ever meeting this nemesis of hers.

[, This Novel's Blurb, ]

Prince Jin, Yang Yu, had long admired the name of Consort Xiao. On the day he broke through the capital of Chen, he quietly kept her by his side.

In Ningxin Courtyard, the enchanting consort who had once held the fate of a nation in her hands became a sweet, charming woman who understood him perfectly.

Yang Yu cherished her, and their affection grew stronger with each passing day.

After seizing the throne and becoming emperor, Yang Yu wanted to give Xiao Yin a title. She said, "I only want to be with Sanlang, not with the emperor."

Yang Yu thought Xiao Yin was considerate and felt all the more indebted to her. His love for her deepened, until one day he received a secret letter and learned there was another "Sanlang" in the world.

Only then did he realize that, despite being the Son of Heaven, he was merely someone else's shadow, and that Xiao Yin's thoughtfulness came from not caring about him.

He pointed at Xiao Yin in anger and demanded, "How dare you?"

When Xiao Yin was in despair, Yang Yu gave her hope of clinging to life, and a chance to rekindle her relationship with "Sanlang."

She found solace in Yang Yu, like drinking poison to quench her thirst. She didn't realize that after years together, the "Sanlang" in her heart had gradually changed into someone else.

Under the shade of trees in a narrow lane, she rose onto her toes and kissed the corner of Yang Yu's mouth, shy as she had been in her youth. "This is the real me. Do you still like me, Sanlang?"

Just when she thought she had finally been reborn, Xiao Yin learned that some people never let an old grievance go. He plunged a knife deep into her heart, taking her life and severing the love between them.

Outside a small courtyard in Taoyuan Village, a figure in pale lilac raised a hand to block the door. His tall, handsome frame nearly engulfed Xiao Yin.

"I've only just arrived, and my home isn't in order yet. Could I ask you for a favor, Madam Xiao? May I borrow your fire?"

"No."

[Reader's Guide]

Both leads have been married before; neither has a perfect personality. A charming, spoiled beauty x a possessive, devoted dog emperor.

Theme: Build a healthy view of love.