Cherished Beauty

[All revisions are just wording and typos. The plot hasn't changed, so there's no need to go back and reread.]

[An aristocratic family's legitimate daughter and a fake prince: married first, fall in love later]

[Gentle on the outside, strong-willed and sly on the inside X a sweet-looking but secretly ruthless male lead]

[One-on-one romance and happy ending]

Liu Enxu was the legitimate granddaughter of Duke Wen. A few years ago, she made her first public appearance at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, accompanying her grandfather.

One glimpse was all it took to steal the soul of Prince Ji, Dou Chu.

Prince Ji was talented and handsome. After he began participating in government affairs, he earned widespread acclaim and a far-reaching reputation.

The Empress Dowager granted Prince Ji his long-held wish and arranged a marriage between the two.

Liu Enxu had thought she was the only one being forced into the marriage, but on their wedding night, he was cool and distant, deliberately keeping her at arm's length.

For the sake of her family's prosperity, Liu Enxu could only cater to his preferences and tread carefully, hoping to win a smile from the man she loved.

Everyone inside and outside the prince's residence said that Princess Ji had no influence or favor, and had merely taken an enviable position.

So plenty of jealous people waited for her to be thrown out of it.

But one day, no one could have imagined that Dou Chu would rise to the throne and become emperor, personally placing the world's most unparalleled honor before her.

Only the throne of empress, envied by all, was worthy of her brilliance.

[Short scene]

Everyone knew that Prince Ji, Dou Chu, disliked women who were coy and affected, or who took advantage of their favor.

Duke Wen held a grand birthday feast and personally welcomed the two guests at the entrance to his residence.

When he saw his petite granddaughter hurry through the door with unseemly haste, he was about to reprimand her.

But Dou Chu ignored the crowd's gossip and swept her into his arms. His gaze was tender as he said to the woman in his arms, "The snowy path is slippery. Why are you running?"

Duke Wen was struck speechless for a moment, then turned and called for someone to bring a sedan chair.

Dou Chu stopped him, saying casually, "The sedan chair is too hard. A Yu can't sit in it."

[Reading guide]

* The male lead is sweet on the surface but ruthless underneath, the sort who hides a knife behind a smile.

* The male lead will not remain with the female lead under a false identity.

* The body-double trope is a genuine body-double situation, not part of a "white moonlight" storyline.

* The female lead is a schemer with clear goals, and starts out weak.

* The male lead is the real prince, who arranged for a body double. The real prince was brought under control.

* Set in an alternate-history world. Don't scrutinize the historical details.

Theme: Braving every thorn and obstacle, never giving up.