Long Spring Days

[Updates follow the rankings. Daily updates when ranked, weekly updates of 7,000 characters otherwise.]

In the tenth year of Nanjing, the Crown Prince inexplicably hanged himself in his bedchamber, throwing the court into turmoil.

Shen Hui, an old friend of the Crown Prince and the third son of the Prince of Zhao's household, was ambushed and forced to flee. Just as his life hung by a thread, a slender figure in green appeared, holding an umbrella.

The first spring rain began to fall. The umbrella tilted, and Shen Hui met a pair of cool, inscrutable eyes.

That was the first time he saw Xie Chen.

Xie Chen took Shen Hui home, but Shen Hui got Xie Chen into bed.

At the height of their lovemaking, Shen Hui leaned over Xie Chen and asked softly, "Why did you save me that day?"

Xie Chen lifted his head, his cold lips brushing Shen Hui's earlobe. "Naturally, I coveted your beauty."

Shen Hui smiled. "Then how about I repay your kindness by giving myself to you?"

Xie Chen closed his eyes and rolled over. "We were only having some fun. Don't take it seriously."

Shen Hui returned to the capital alone, struggling to survive while investigating the Crown Prince's death and trying to protect himself.

He had thought those days in the mountains were just a spring dream. Then, at the banquet in Prince Sheng's residence, where Shen Hui walked straight into a trap, he saw a "counselor" in green standing behind Prince Sheng.

Their eyes met. Xie Chen smiled. "Third Young Master, are you drunk? Would you like to step outside for some air?"

In a secluded place beneath the quiet moon, Shen Hui pinned Xie Chen against an ornamental rock, his voice dangerous and flirtatious. "Didn't you say I shouldn't take it seriously? Why are you here?"

Xie Chen, usually so aloof, met his gaze. "Because I missed you."

**

Everyone said the third young master of the Prince of Zhao's household was both a scholar and a warrior, handsome and graceful, with a brilliant future ahead of him.

Matchmakers seeking a proposal wore down the threshold of the Prince of Zhao's residence, but not one could win Third Young Master Shen's favor.

Some said that while fighting outside the capital, Third Young Master Shen had secretly become engaged to a bandit woman and brought her back to the capital.

Others said Third Young Master Shen must have been bewitched by some vixen and was keeping her as a maid in his residence.

Hearing all the rumors in silence, Xie Chen thought: A vixen? Me? That's not wrong.

Shen Hui (gong) x Xie Chen (shou), 1v1, they hook up before falling in love, happy ending. No switching or breaking them up. The shou really is a fox spirit!

Ruthless, vengeful gong x loyal, noble, aloof shou

[Reading Guide]

1. Updates follow the rankings, at 9 p.m. I have a backlog, but I type slowly and want to save up more chapters (yes, I'm a little hoarder).

2. This story is told mainly from the gong's perspective. The first seven or so chapters focus on romance; the main plot afterward will include a lot of (pseudo-)court intrigue and revenge. There are many creative liberties, so please don't take everything too literally or nitpick the historical details.

3. I hope everyone who likes it will support me. Your encouragement is what motivates me to keep writing, qwq!

My profile has the completed historical BL novel "Lin Yuan" and the upcoming "Young and Free with Wine and Song," which will probably combine court intrigue, wuxia, and mystery-solving. If you're interested, please add them to your collection~

Finally, thanks to all the lovely readers. Sending you all love (bows).

Theme: Ambition is not a sin, but pursue it by honorable means