Must I, Too, Marry for Peace?

Originally titled “The Hostage Prince” 1. The Battle of Chenliu ended in a great victory for Northern Chu. At the victory banquet, the once-cherished Crown Prince of Southern Yan was forced to attend as a hostage from the defeated nation. Swallowing the shame of defeat along with his blood, Fu Xueqing steeled himself and dragged his sickly body through a court full of wolves. His father hoped he would die in Northern Chu, clearing the way for his brothers. Northern Chu's officials hoped he would make a mistake, giving them an excuse to start another war with his life. But Fu Xueqing refused to give them what they wanted. Shen Jiao, Regent of Northern Chu, commanded three hundred thousand cavalry, controlled the young emperor, and held power over the court. He was the only person who could keep Fu Xueqing alive. Fu Xueqing carefully set a trap and delivered himself into Shen Jiao's bed. The peerless, celestial beauty ultimately became a fiend in the eighteenth level of hell, willing to do anything. 2. The Emperor of Southern Yan was gravely ill. As Crown Prince, Fu Xueqing had to return home to seize the throne. On the eve of his departure, Fu Xueqing invited Shen Jiao to drink with him. He drugged the wine. The Regent drank it, unsuspecting. Clutching a dagger, Fu Xueqing sat alone through the night, but could not bring himself to act as planned. He had only pretended to be in love to stay alive, but in the end, Shen Jiao had warmed his heart. Before dawn, Fu Xueqing slipped out of the city with his trusted men. But Shen Jiao had sensed something was amiss and came after him with his troops. Facing each other on the battlefield, Fu Xueqing shed his meek disguise. His celestial face was cold and callous. “Commander Shen, what we had was just an act. Now the play is over. Why won't you let it go?” 3. Everyone in Northern Chu knew that the Crown Prince of Southern Yan had seduced the Regent and then discarded him once he was done. They all said that the Regent was drilling his troops so he could crush Southern Yan and build a monument of their Crown Prince's head. On the day of the palace coup in Southern Yan, Shen Jiao did indeed lead a troop of soldiers into the imperial palace. In a secluded chamber, unseen by anyone, Shen Jiao cut off the Southern Yan ruler's head and ground out through clenched teeth, “Marriage or war. Your Majesty, choose one.” Fu Xueqing leaned in and lightly touched Shen Jiao's lips with a fingertip. His gaze was alluring. “I happen to be looking for an empress. Would you, Commander Shen, be willing to take your place in the palace?” 【A sickly, breathtakingly beautiful bottom who lies constantly and schemes deeply × a fierce, wild, territorial lone wolf top. The bottom is a fiend from the eighteenth level of hell who has grown a heart. The top is a hopeless beauty addict who loves the beauty more than the throne, forever raging helplessly as he turns darker.】 “I love you in your purest, brightest moments, and I love you in your darkest, dirtiest ones. The celestial immortal in heaven and the fiend of the underworld, I want them both.”, Shen Jiao Reading guide 1. One-on-one romance. They're each other's only one. 2. Sweet story, sweet story, sweet story. Important things are said three times. 3. Fictional dynasty with a blended setting. Please don't overanalyze the history. 4. Commissioned art by the artist Pingzi Huamo. 5. Written on April 13, 2022, screenshot saved. Theme: Persevere through every setback.