The Spring Courtyard [Reborn]

- Reborn After Becoming a Bitter Couple is currently updating: a calculating, obsessive man x a righteous yet wicked rogue | A love born of hatred, destined enemies and bitter spouses. In her previous life, everyone in the bustling capital knew Song Xuqing, the legitimate daughter of the Song family. She was famous for her haughty nature and had been doted on by her family. But the Song family's daughter had no ambition. She spent all day listening to music and playing with birds. She was mediocre at all the skills a noblewoman was expected to master, from music and chess to calligraphy and painting. Still, she was fortunate enough to be betrothed to Crown Prince Pei Yichen at an early age. Reborn into a new life, Song Xuqing finally understood why she had died by the hand of the deposed crown prince, Pei Yichen. He had chosen her not only for her family background, but also because she paid no attention to affairs of the world. To survive in peace into old age this time, Song Xuqing started attending school early. When she returned, she devoted herself to music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and hired a music academy instructor to teach her dance in the evenings. The noblewomen, who had grown used to Song Xuqing doing nothing, were shocked. Everyone thought: She must have a good reason for doing this. How can I afford to fall behind? From then on, the noblewomen were either studying or on their way to study. At the autumn polo match, Song Xuqing, who should have been sitting on the sidelines, came galloping in on horseback in a riding outfit, looking dashing and spirited. The noblewomen wondered: When did she learn to ride a horse?! - To survive, Song Xuqing also decided to befriend the third prince, Pei Muyao, the future crown prince, who was recuperating at Nanjian Temple. But the temple walls were too high, so she had to learn to climb them before she could earn his trust. One night at Nanjian Temple, after discussing matters with a friend, Pei Muyao strolled through the courtyard. Suddenly, he heard faint footsteps. The guards hidden in the shadows emerged, only to hear someone calling for help from atop the wall. Terrified by the high wall, Song Xuqing's eyes filled with tears. "H-Help!" - At the Dragon Boat Festival palace banquet, Song Xuqing became famous overnight for a single dance. People were practically breaking down the Song family's door, and when she heard that the Crown Prince had his eye on her, Song Xuqing was shaken. After thinking it over, she set her sights on Pei Muyao. Late at night, Song Xuqing climbed the wall again, for the first time in a long while. Trembling, she finally reached the top and saw Pei Muyao standing beneath the wall, his face cold as a demon king. Song Xuqing: "..." This would need some careful consideration. Just as she turned around, the living demon king said, "Come down. I agree." [Reading Guide] * New chapter every night. If there's a temporary break, I'll explain in the comments. * A pampered, gorgeous woman who cherishes her life x a scheming prince. * Set in a fictional world, with lots of original worldbuilding. * The characters are imperfect. Feel free to discuss civilly, but please don't be abusive. * For a detailed reading guide, see the author's note in Chapter One. * Synopsis saved on 2023.01.31. -------------------- The Heart That Belongs to Zhen Zhen -------------------- After Qin Zhen's parents died, their sworn younger sister took her in and raised her for five years. Qin Zhen never harbored any improper thoughts during those five years, except for one thing: she fell for Shen Yubai. Shen Yubai was the heir to the Duke's estate. From the moment he entered government service, his career soared, and he rose through the ranks without obstruction, attaining a high position at a young age. But then an indiscretion gave rise to rumors in the household, and people said she had resorted to underhanded means to stay at the Duke's estate. Qin Zhen knelt before her aunt and begged her to send her away, only to receive a marriage contract instead. Qin Zhen entered the Duke's estate and became Shen Yubai's wife. For three years, she behaved herself and never crossed the line. She kept her feelings buried in her heart, never revealing them, even when her husband was cold and others criticized her. She had thought she would spend the rest of her life like this. But when the peach blossoms bloomed, she chanced upon Shen Yubai and a princess locked in an intimate embrace at the Peach Blossom Banquet. Only then did she realize she had been occupying someone else's place all along. Shen Yubai's cold, heartless words, saying he disliked her intensely, humiliated her in front of everyone. If not for her, the two of them would have been deeply in love, perfectly in harmony. After returning home, Qin Zhen put everything in order, left a divorce agreement on her dressing table, and slipped away under cover of darkness. - After Qin Zhen left, Shen Yubai searched for her everywhere for three years, but never caught a glimpse of her. Then, on the day he received an order to return to the capital while he was away searching for his wife, he saw Qin Zhen before even reaching the city. Her face was alight with smiles, and she gazed at a man with sparkling eyes. Only then did Shen Yubai learn that everyone had been hiding the truth from him, including his mother. The moment their eyes met, Qin Zhen stared in surprise for an instant, then smiled faintly at him, as if she had completely let go of the past. Shen Yubai tore up the divorce agreement he'd kept close to his heart and, ignoring everyone around him, tried to pull her into his arms. In front of everyone, Qin Zhen slapped him. Theme: Break through the barriers and live for yourself.