Rekindled Joy

[Coming soon: *Pressure to Marry* and *A Cinched Waist*] In the fourth year of their marriage, Gu Ying's husband returned to his ancestral clan and was made a prince of the commandery. He went to the capital ahead of her to settle in, then sent someone to fetch Gu Ying six months later. When she arrived at the prince's manor, Gu Ying discovered that not only had her husband taken concubines, he was also planning to give her place as princess consort to the woman he had always loved. She had the title of princess consort, but was oppressed at every turn. Having had enough of Lu Chuanxing's cold treatment, she chose to divorce him. The emperor had no children, and the Empress Dowager was eager for a grandchild. After hearing of a temple said to be especially effective for prayers for a child, she urged him to go there and make an offering. A sudden downpour fell on the way back to the palace, and Lu Chong took shelter at a villa on the outskirts of the capital. Someone knocked, asking for a place to stay. Through the curtain of rain, he recognized the delicate and beautiful Princess Consort of Prince An at a glance. She deliberately hid her identity, and Lu Chong did not expose her. Lowering his eyes to conceal his dark thoughts, he gently called her “Miss Jiang” and played along. A little scene: The emperor had recently bestowed a consort title on a woman, and seemed to favor her above all others. The whole capital was curious to know what kind of peerless beauty could win the affection of an emperor who had never been interested in women. At the palace banquet, Lu Chuanxing glanced over absentmindedly, then froze in place. The Consort beside the emperor, smiling brightly with her belly swollen, was none other than Gu Ying! Noticing his almost discourteous stare, Lu Chong smiled faintly and took his consort's hand as he accepted everyone's congratulations. Hearing someone say that the consort was five months pregnant, Zhao Chuanxing nearly crushed the teacup in his hand. Five months ago was when he had asked Gu Ying to return to his side. Reading notes: 1. This is a fictional setting. The details and logic serve the plot, so please don't nitpick. 2. Content warning: Neither lead is a virgin. Once they meet, they are exclusive. The blurb contains all the major triggers. 3. Updated daily. If I need to take time off, I'll announce it in the blurb. Coming soon: *Pressure to Marry* As a top aristocratic family whose legacy spans generations, the Duke of Dingguo's household has a noble young heir, Lu Heng. Handsome and elegant, he's known in his family as a jade tree standing in a court of orchids, and is the most sought-after husband among noblewomen. One day, an unexpected guest arrives at the estate. A delicate sixteen-year-old girl claims to be Lu Heng's betrothed, arriving with a letter in the late duke's own hand to demand they set a wedding date. She is exquisitely beautiful and alluring, and openly flirts with the heir. She is clearly not a suitable match. Fortunately, the heir is noble and self-possessed, and remains unmoved by her. ** Jiang Yu lost both her parents at a young age and lived with her uncle's family. Before her uncle died, he gave her a letter and told her to take her aunt and cousin to the capital and seek refuge with the Duke of Dingguo's family. The Lu family only agreed to recognize the engagement to protect their reputation, so Jiang Yu followed their wishes and moved in as a young lady of the family. But her goal had never been to marry Lu Heng, whose status was far above hers. Pretending to back down was simply a way to make the Lu family feel a little guilty and find her another match. The second branch's son, Lu Xu, was gentle and mild-mannered, and would make a more suitable husband. Sure enough, seeing that she was willing to compromise, the Lu family agreed to arrange her marriage to Lu Xu. Jiang Yu happily began preparing to move out of the duke's estate and await her wedding. The night before she was to leave, she had packed her bags and was about to blow out the lamp when a tall figure entered her room without a sound. Lu Heng, just returned from a long journey, grabbed her wrist. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice hoarse as he asked, “A Yu, who are you going to marry?” *A Cinched Waist* On the eve of her night with the emperor, A Chan learned that the emperor was gravely ill and that she was a sacrificial pawn pushed forward to bring him good fortune. If the emperor died in bed, whoever was with him that night would be doomed. Just as she was despairing, she met a strong, healthy man whose appearance bore a three- or four-tenths resemblance to the emperor's. He was Prince Qin, Xiao Yi, who had the emperor's deep trust and was currently staying at the imperial retreat. Prince Qin was cold and distant, and kept away from women. A Chan didn't dare bet that she could successfully seduce him. So she made an even bolder decision. On the night she was to attend the emperor, A Chan secretly climbed into Prince Qin's bed. In the blink of an eye, the political situation changed. The emperor died, and Prince Qin became the new emperor. One day in the Empress Dowager's palace, a toddler who could barely walk wrapped his arms around Xiao Yi's leg. He tilted his little head back and called in a childish voice, “Father!” A Chan hurried over and was terrified out of her wits. Unable to pull her son away, she could only crouch down and apologize. Xiao Yi said calmly, “It's all right.” Seeing this, the Empress Dowager sighed sadly. “The emperor looks like the late emperor. It's no wonder the child mistook him for his father.” The others all chimed in, ingratiatingly saying that the late emperor's little prince and the new emperor looked somewhat alike. Xiao Yi's heart stirred. He gently stroked the child's head, but his gaze turned discreetly toward the woman who had hurriedly stood up, as if lost in thought. Theme: Live for yourself