The Abandoned Crown Prince's Beloved Consort

[This is a short story, updated with 3,000 characters a day. It's a writing exercise and won't be published behind a paywall.]

Everyone in the capital knew that Crown Prince Han Yizhi was a remarkably handsome and accomplished man, skilled in both literature and military strategy. But once he was deposed, he was trampled underfoot like mud. With nothing left to live for, Han Yizhi chose to retreat from the world and live in seclusion, taking no interest in worldly affairs.

Confined to the imperial temple, Han Yizhi spent his days eating vegetarian food and praying, his heart free of worldly desires. Until one night, a lost young woman wandered into his meditation room.

“I never knew there were Zen masters who didn't shave their heads.”

“Female benefactor, how about trying Buddhist practice without shaving your head?!”

Han Yizhi thought the girl was pure and innocent. Her lively eyes were like a little deer leaping through the woods.

The next night, the little deer came knocking with a bowl of soup.

“Zen master, would you consider leaving the monastery and marrying me?”

She giggled and slipped a cool little hand inside his robe, tracing circles against his burning skin. Han Yizhi shut his eyes and quietly recited scripture, silently repeating, “Amitabha, what a sin.”

Later, Han Yizhi rose up and reclaimed the throne, stepping over the rebel army's corpses. Little did he know that his usually sweet and innocent favorite consort would press a cold sword to his throat and giggle, “My husband, would you kindly return the throne to me?”

#The Deposed Crown Prince Was Used by a Princess of the Former Dynasty#

#The Princess of the Former Dynasty Won Over the Deposed Crown Prince, Then Reclaimed the Throne#

1. The former dynasty was a matriarchy, and its princess was the hereditary heir to the throne.

2. The current dynasty is patriarchal, and its crown prince is the hereditary heir to the throne.

Theme: Life is so wonderful. Love this world, because you have endless possibilities.