Blurb tentatively dated 5/23
I've heard the heroine of this book isn't interested in men.
Da Zhao has open-minded customs. Neither gender is barred from high office or the throne; positions go to those with ability.
Ling Zhouxu was born into the Yingchuan Marquis's household in Luojing. Beautiful as rosy clouds and moonlight, and the legitimate son, he had an unlimited future ahead of him.
But his mother died when he was four. The Yingchuan Marquis remarried a princess, who bore him another son.
Ling Zhouxu lost his chance at the title and spent most of his time living with his maternal family in Jiangnan. His main duty was editing books, and he was quite content with his carefree life.
In May, floods in Jiangnan breached the dikes, leaving countless people homeless.
He volunteered to his uncle to help clear the river channels.
Upstream from the dike, he saw a woman standing beside his uncle with an umbrella. Her green top and hemp skirt could not hide her graceful bearing.
The woman called herself Qi Feng. She was an official accompanying the inspector, sent to oversee the river works.
His heart raced wildly, and he lost his composure.
With the advantage of being close at hand, Ling Zhouxu helped her as a minor official.
After two months, he finally won the woman's promise to spend their lives together.
But their time together was up, and they were about to part.
Ling Zhouxu promised her that, once he had informed his father, he would come to propose before September and take her as his wife.
By the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, the Yingchuan Marquis tricked him into returning to Luojing to participate in the selection.
Ling Zhouxu naturally refused. His father beat him half to death, then sent him to the Mid-Autumn banquet covered in injuries.
Luckily, the Crown Princess was as beautiful as spring flowers, dignified and composed, but not interested in men (of course, the author doesn't think that's a flaw. It's absolutely a virtue, okay?).
It would presumably be a mere formality.
Ling Zhouxu felt somewhat reassured, and planned to reunite with his beloved and elope as soon as the banquet was over.
Then, at the Mid-Autumn banquet, he saw the woman with whom he'd privately pledged himself for life.
She sat above the empress, wearing a magnificent pearl crown, her expression elegant.
She was none other than the heir to the throne.
Feeling that he had been toyed with, Ling Zhouxu flew into a rage and left the palace without looking back.
That night, the much-rumored Crown Princess, who supposedly wasn't interested in men, was seen chasing a man out of the palace.
The Crown Princess's officials wept tears of joy.
Ling Zhouxu: ...
His attendants stuffed a gag in his mouth and tied him up in bed.
The Crown Princess remained as elegant as ever.
"My darling, have you changed your heart and decided to abandon me?"
"..."
Wait, shouldn't he be the one who's angry?
Premise: Don't make a fuss over nothing
