A Spring Dream of Delicate Tang

A new historical romance, Marrying the Son of Heaven, is now open for follows. Here is the blurb:

At fifteen, Xiao Yin was forced into the palace. She became Chen Houzhu's favorite consort, and in the eyes of the people, the woman who seduced the ruler with her beauty, threw the court into chaos, and brought about Chen's downfall at the hands of Zhao's army.

Xiao Yin should have been executed as a sacrifice to the banners the day her country fell. Instead, she was spared by the blade of Yang Yu, commander-in-chief of the Zhao army, and sent to Pingyun Abbey in Zhao.

The splendor and riches of her past gave way to the dull austerity of the Three Pure Ones before her.

On a cool, breezy night, Xiao Yin lay entwined with Yang Yu, her breath fragrant as an orchid against his ear. "You have always been upright and kept to your principles, Third Lord. Aren't you afraid this will ruin your reputation?"

Yang Yu brushed his cheek against hers. "But once I sit on the highest throne, who would dare say that you and I aren't in love with each other?"

Xiao Yin: "It seems I was fated to serve a ruler with my beauty."

Yang Yu: "If I can truly be the one you serve in your heart, I am willing to take that risk."

Yang Yu seized the throne and became emperor, but Xiao Yin refused the gold investiture as a noble consort. She remained in the palace as an unranked 'Lady Xiao,' letting others gossip as they pleased while she and Yang Yu stayed devoted to each other.

But one day, Yang Yu suddenly turned cold. Xiao Yin remained calm. "Third Lord, why must you get to the bottom of everything? Wouldn't it be more carefree to enjoy each other as we did before?"

Yang Yu pressed a hand to Xiao Yin's heart. "I won't be anyone else's shadow. I will only be the true master of this place in your heart."

Xiao Yin: "If you won't be his shadow, what makes you think you can keep me?"

"Because I can truly kill this heart of yours."

Reading Guide:

Both leads have previous relationships, 1v1, flawed characters, a bewitching and spoiled beauty x an obsessive, devoted emperor

Main Blurb

Yingshi was born into a merchant family. Beautiful and charming, she was nonetheless left an orphan after her family suffered a calamity.

Fortunately, her betrothed, Yin Xu, saved her from the jaws of death. He cared for her devotedly and treated her with endless tenderness. She gave him her heart and hoped only to grow old together with him.

Yin Xu was the youngest head of the Yingdu Merchants' Guild. Graceful as sunlight and moonlight, he was stern by nature, yet treasured and pampered Yingshi, keeping her cosseted at his home in Huai.

Knowing Yingshi loved crabapple blossoms, Yin Xu built her a crabapple garden. From their country estate in Huai to their residence in Yingdu, he indulged her in everything and always put her first.

Yin Xu: "From now on, the wife rules our household. All the house rules will be set by you."

Yingshi: "Then... the first rule should be..."

Her soft, sweet words lingered by Yin Xu's ear. Holding his beloved, he whispered tender words to her. His heart had already melted the moment he first saw her.

When the western crabapple trees he had planted for her bloomed again, his beautiful, radiant wife leaned close to whisper in his ear once more. "You always look at me until I blush. I should make another house rule for you."

Her orchid-scented breath brushed Yin Xu's ear. He adored this tender bliss. "Say the word, my lady. I'll listen."

He thought it was merely playful pillow talk between husband and wife. Instead, a chill suddenly ran through him, reminding him of the time...

Many years ago, in the dark, damp Yingdu prison, he had looked down at the fallen former head of the Yingdu Merchants' Guild. Hatred and satisfaction in his eyes, he had said:

"A life for a life."

Reading Guide:

The female lead has previous experience; the male lead is a virgin. Classic melodramatic historical setting, tragic romance.

The female lead starts out with amnesia. The male lead is far more devoted to her than she is to him.

Theme: Be kind.