Above the Jade Terrace

An ancient noble academy story Blurb: Shu Jiyun is blessed with porcelain skin, exquisite beauty, and a pair of naturally flirtatious eyes. After disaster strikes, he goes to the capital to seek refuge with his distant relatives, the Xu family, hoping to keep his entire clan safe. The Xu family is an illustrious house of generations of officials. Taking pity on the young, vulnerable Shu Jiyun, they raise him alongside the young masters of the household and send him to study at the Imperial Academy in the capital. The Imperial Academy is full of students from wealthy, powerful families. There is no shortage of dandies who amuse themselves by tormenting others, especially the four who stand at the very top. Shu Jiyun's family is humble, and his striking face practically begs to be ravaged, leaving him like a fawn fallen among wolves. He is careful and cautious at every turn, but still cannot avoid getting caught up in one mess after another. As time goes by, rumors spread through the academy that he craves power and uses his looks to attach himself to the influential. Shu Jiyun cannot defend himself, yet even his cousin refuses to believe his explanation, hinting that he is a man of ill intent. His aunt even sighs that he should not be so eager for quick success or so desperate to ingratiate himself with the powerful. Fortunately, his cousin from another branch of the family, Xu Jiming, is a gracious gentleman of impeccable character. He always believes Shu Jiyun and repeatedly comes to his rescue. -- Xu Jiming is gentle as fine jade, exceptionally talented, and writes with a distinctive, elegant hand. Shu Jiyun has always admired men of literary talent, and it is easy for Xu Jiming to stir his heart. On a fragrant Qixi night, Xu Jiming invites him to play a game of Go and share a drink. Shu Jiyun readily agrees, happily setting out to meet him. But after just one cup of light wine, he wakes to find himself disheveled on that man's bed, with several people standing around him. Shu Jiyun is panic-stricken. He sees the cousin he had treated as his lifeline standing hidden among the crowd, his jade-like face devoid of warmth as he looks at him coldly. He cannot conceal the scorn and mockery in his eyes. Only then does Shu Jiyun realize that for all his gentlemanly manners and orchid-like nature, Xu Jiming is no different from "those people." He sees Shu Jiyun as a plaything. Xu Jiming is even more despicable. "Those people" only wanted to play, never to win his heart. -- Later, times change. The heaven-blessed darling falls from his lofty perch, while the sparrow grows new wings to replace the ones that were broken. In the pouring rain, Xu Jiming clutches Shu Jiyun's sleeve, begging for a word of forgiveness. The wrongs of the past are far too grave to be easily forgiven. Xu Jiming braces himself to be slapped. But Shu Jiyun merely smiles faintly, places his hand in Xu Jiming's palm, and says lightly, "Yun has never taken it to heart. Cousin, don't be upset." Overjoyed, Xu Jiming pulls him into his arms and swears to treat him well for the rest of his life. Then he closes his eyes, pretending not to notice that Shu Jiyun's faint smile never reaches his eyes. After all, Xu Jiming knows that over the years, Shu Jiyun has already charmed more than one son of the high officials and powerful families at the Imperial Academy. Every one of them would pluck the stars and bring down the moon for him-- And Xu Jiming is merely the least remarkable of them all. The arrogant, cold royal heir; the handsome, bewitching young lord of a military family; the charming scion of a century-old house... and more. Xu Jiming: As long as you know. -- 1. Xu Jiming is not the main love interest. 2. The shou will have several romantic entanglements in this story. 3. This is an extremely cheesy, old-school, Mary Sue noble academy story with the ancient-world version of the F4 trope and plenty of familiar cliches. The shou is not strong. He may turn a little morally gray around the middle of the story, but for the most part, he is a gentle, sunny beauty. -- May you always sit upon your jade terrace, unafraid of snow, wind, or frost. Theme: Opening your heart is how you find beautiful love.