Plucking a Phoenix on a Spring Night

Jiang Wan followed her birth mother to the marquis's residence.

Her mother was alluringly beautiful and became a concubine in the marquis's household. From then on, Jiang Wan was known as the marquis's "niece."

The head wife despised the concubine and, by extension, hated Jiang Wan. What kind of niece was she? Just another little fox born outside by a vixen. The marquis was happy to play the fool and raise another man's daughter.

Jiang Wan was beautiful, with delicate features and eyes as clear as autumn waters. In the head wife's eyes, she was a thorn in her side, one she wished she could pull out by the roots as soon as possible.

Jiang Wan knew how much the head wife disliked her, so she was always careful, gentle, obedient, and compliant, never saying too much. She only hoped that when it came time to arrange a marriage for her, the marquis's household might take pity on her and let her choose a good husband.

She didn't ask for a man of high rank or great wealth. She only hoped he would truly love her and protect her for the rest of her life.

Later, when an unwanted marriage seemed imminent, Jiang Wan had no other options. Then she spotted the heir to the marquis's estate, Su Yan, standing tall beneath the eaves, silently watching the rain.

Her "brother" was the legitimate son of the marquis's household, refined and noble, like an orchid or a jade tree. Because of her status, Jiang Wan rarely saw him, but she had heard that her legitimate brother was always kind to others. Perhaps he could help her.

-

On a rainy night, a cold wind suddenly rose, and the secret chamber was frigid.

Su Yan's index finger traced Jiang Wan's red lips. Unlike his pure and lofty demeanor in the daytime, his eyes were now full of amusement. "If you're coming to beg me, little sister, you should offer me something of your own. I don't make deals at a loss."

Jiang Wan shook her head in terror and braced herself against the floor, but someone tugged at her ankle.

The cold touch eased the strange heat in her body. As the person's palm tightened, fingers roamed over her skin, and she couldn't move at all.

Only then did she realize that none of this was an unfortunate coincidence. The person before her had set this whole inescapable trap, just waiting to ensnare her.

-

In Su Yan's eyes, Jiang Wan was timid and weak. Now that she belonged to him, she could only stay obediently by his side for the rest of her life.

He never imagined that Jiang Wan would one day manage to escape right under his nose.

On the night of her wedding at the general's residence, flames filled the sky.

Su Yan wiped the last traces of warm blood from his blade. Dark currents he could no longer suppress churned in his eyes, and his carefree smile was pure madness. He thought, if he couldn't keep her, then he would simply kill whoever she married.

Theme: Live an active and fulfilling life.