Springtime at the Temples

[Radiant and lively vs. cunning and devoted] [A striking difference in size, secret love made real, little bunny vs. big bad wolf] [The blurb for my upcoming novel, Smoke Returns as Snow Melts, is below] Li Chuyue comes from a prominent family in Longxi. Raised in luxury by a prestigious family with a century of history, she is the future Crown Princess personally selected by the Empress Dowager, with all the world's splendor at her fingertips. Unfortunately, the political winds change overnight, and the crown prince's position goes to Prince Yu, a man who has always been taciturn, sinister, and ruthless. Worse still, the Li family had previously sided with Prince Yu's enemies. It seems the position of Crown Princess is out of reach. The second branch's Madam Li worries all day long. "Yueyue, now that Prince Yu is in power, I'm afraid our Li family will suffer for it." "You're so beautiful. If disaster befalls the marquis's household, you may not be able to preserve your virtue. When that happens, you might as well hang yourself and keep your dignity." Second Aunt has always been full of schemes. Who knows what she's really plotting? Li Chuyue couldn't disagree more. She shakes her head and touches her slightly chilly neck. Why hang myself? A hanged ghost looks so awful! It's only the position of Crown Princess, isn't it? I'll go snatch it myself! At the Lantern Festival, the emperor and empress host a banquet. On the surface, it's a celebration for ruler and subjects to enjoy together, but in reality, it's a selection for the crown prince's consort. Confident that she has it in the bag, Li Chuyue steps forward with graceful poise and light steps. But someone trips her, and she nearly falls right in front of the crown prince. The crown prince has been sitting stiffly in the seat of honor, watching the noble young ladies perform with a cold expression. Quick to react, he catches her around the waist. Flustered with concern, he accidentally repeats what the Empress Dowager has been saying in his ear all day: "Are you hurt, Crown Princess?" Li Chuyue: Hm? Who are you calling Crown Princess? The other young ladies: How infuriating! If this was already decided, why make us come here and embarrass ourselves?! [After-marriage bonus scene] The crown prince has to leave the capital on official business for ten days. The Crown Princess is dragged along by her friends to a pleasure house, where they listen to a musician play the qin. The crown prince, who happens to return early: Send someone to ask which divine physician treated the Crown Princess yesterday. Yesterday, she sent him a carrier pigeon saying she missed him so much she couldn't eat or sleep, and had grown thin with longing. Today, she's drinking tea, listening to music, and feasting until dawn. What a divine physician. [Marriage first, love later, devoted romance] [One is clumsy and pretends to be devoted; the other is perfectly happy to fall for it.] [One-on-one romance, both devoted in body and heart] There will be family and friendship arcs in addition to the romance. Upcoming novel in my collection: Smoke Returns as Snow Melts [Childhood sweethearts reunite after a breakup] Young general vs. noblewoman Early spring of the Renchen year. The snow melts and the ice thaws. Rebels storm the city overnight, and the capital is engulfed in flames. When the rebels enter the city, the nobles who were still reveling in song and dance the day before are naturally the first to be threatened. To avoid falling into their hands, Lin Wanqiao puts her hair up like a married woman and changes into coarse clothes, hiding among the maids. She hopes to escape the capital with the panicked crowd and head north to find her close friend, County Lady Rong of the Northern Pacification Marquis's household. With the country fallen and her family gone, she might as well seek out her friend and spend what remains of her life with her. Lin Wanqiao lowers the white veil of her hat and hurries forward with her head bowed. Suddenly, the sound of several horses galloping cuts through the crowd. A sharp sword slices through the night and knocks the hat from her head. Lin Wanqiao's heart leaps. She raises her luminous eyes. Seated atop a tall horse is none other than Rong Huai, heir to the Northern Pacification Marquis's household, who should be far away in the north. He looks at her with a smirk. His sword remains unsheathed, its icy edge pressed against Lin Wanqiao's snowy-white neck. "So you really got married?" The night wind rises, and the shouting never stops. Amid the flames engulfing the city, Rong Huai grips his sword and swings his long arm, thrusting it toward Lin Wanqiao. Lin Wanqiao's dark hair falls loose, and the headband holding it up breaks into several pieces that scatter on the ground. "That hairstyle looks awful." Rong Huai draws back his sword with a look of disdain and says coldly. Male lead's perspective: Puppy sobbing: After my whole family was exiled, I fought my way back. But when I saw her again, it seemed my beloved had married someone else. Should I wish her an early widowhood? After-marriage bonus scene: The following spring, with the snow on the pond all melted, Lin Wanqiao sits by the window in her clothes. Rong Huai comes over, takes her hand, and draws her into his arms. He murmurs, "Your hairstyle looks beautiful today, my wife." Lin Wanqiao teases him on purpose. "But I seem to remember someone saying it looked awful." Rong Huai clears his throat and lowers his eyes. "I hurt my eyes that day. I really was a little blind." Theme: The brave get to enjoy love first.