Distant Jade Steps

(Originally titled The Swallow in the Cage)

Before a coup left him in dire straits, Xu Mohuai was an arrogant Crown Prince, a nobleman untouched by the dust of the world. But after his pride was broken and he fell into the mire, the person who saved him was a countrywoman he had once disdained too much to even glance at.

Xu Mohuai listened as Su Yan earnestly planned to cultivate a vegetable garden in the hills behind their home. He watched her count on her fingers how many coins she had spent on cloth, then speak hopefully about their future. Pointing to their cramped, dilapidated house, she told him, “Someday, we'll buy a bookcase and put it here...” even though she couldn't read.

Xu Mohuai looked down on her in his heart, but still smiled and agreed.

There was no someday. Once his health recovered and he gathered his old followers, he would return to the gilded palace, stand at the top of the world, and rule as emperor.

No one would know about his miserable past, or how he had begged and flattered a peasant girl just to stay alive. No one would take seriously the promises he'd casually made in that cold, damp cave.

Xu Mohuai had never truly cared for Su Yan, and he would feel no guilt about it. He would simply forget this lowborn woman.

It was a long time before Su Yan learned that the man who had said he would marry her had returned to the palace long ago and become emperor. Naturally, those words he'd once spoken no longer meant anything.

Though she felt wronged, she did not cling to him, and soon agreed to a proposal from a schoolteacher.

Not long after the wedding ceremony, a line of soldiers rushed into their home and drew their swords on her husband. Then someone walked in slowly, grinding the heel of his boot cruelly over her husband's severed finger before finally stopping in front of her and fixing her with a sinister stare.

“Do you want to die?”

If she could choose, Su Yan would rather Xu Mohuai freeze to death in the wilderness or be eaten by wolves. Anything would do, as long as she never had to see him again.

A story of ruthless possession and melodramatic twists.

1. A ruthless, despicable hero with an extremely nasty personality

2. A resilient, unyielding wildflower heroine

Upcoming novel

My Beloved

The Wei clan was renowned as the foremost of the great aristocratic families. The legitimate eldest son, Wei Jie, was noble and untainted, a transcendent beauty often called a flawless immortal, and a model for the younger generation of the aristocracy.

That was until a cousin from a collateral branch arrived. She had the face of a femme fatale and would often sway past Wei Jie with a graceful, curving waist, her limpid eyes repeatedly falling on him.

Everyone in the Wei household had long been unable to stand such blatant seduction. Fortunately, Wei Jie was a proper gentleman who paid no attention to her and never wavered in the slightest.

When Xue Li was young, someone once saved her, and she had admired him ever since. But she came from a humble background, so she had to use every means at her disposal to climb the social ladder and get close to the man she loved. The best stepping stone was her refined and noble cousin.

Before long, Xue Li got her wish and became engaged to Wei Jie's friend.

But just days before the wedding, Xue Li disappeared without a trace. No matter where they looked, they couldn't find her.

In a dimly lit secret chamber, chains clinked again and again, like waves crashing on the shore.

Wei Jie’s eyes were moist, his face flushed. He held Xue Li by the waist and leaned close to her ear, feigning intimacy as he asked in a husky voice, “Li Niang, tell me again. Who do you like?”

1. A heartless, seductive beauty X a hypocritical, lovesick madman

2. One-on-one romance, happy ending

Theme: Stay resilient and keep striving.