[Blurb screenshotted and archived on 2021.12.15]
Susu's cousin's wedding is coming up, and she invites her to the capital to attend the ceremony.
At the wedding banquet, Susu looks up and unexpectedly meets a pair of dark eyes.
The man wears the crown prince's bright yellow court robes, dragon patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His face is as handsome as jade, his eyes dark as ink, and his bearing noble and majestic.
When he notices Susu has spotted him, he takes an unhurried sip of wine. His every gesture flows naturally, with an air of innate nobility.
After the banquet, her cousin takes Susu aside and warns her: "His Highness the Crown Prince is wise and mighty, as if he were a heavenly being, but you mustn't get close to him."
"When His Highness was young, Consort Zhang framed him, forcing him to flee to the southwest. He hates beautiful women more than anything. If one displeases him, he has her taken away to be used as fertilizer for flowers."
Susu nods, still rather naive.
One day, Susu goes with her cousin to a temple to offer incense. Her cousin has to leave early, and on Susu's way back, heavy rain begins to fall and her carriage breaks down.
The crown prince happens to pass by and kindly offers her a ride.
Inside the carriage, Susu fidgets nervously, tugging at her skirt.
She got a little wet in the rain, and her clothes are damp.
Her shoes are especially soaked through, and the carpet around them has darkened.
The crown prince is washing tea things. Through the rising steam, he notices her predicament and moves the brazier closer.
"Take off your shoes."
Susu freezes for a moment. Seeing that he won't take no for an answer, she reluctantly slips off her embroidered shoes.
The crown prince sees that her socks are damp too and removes them himself.
His movements are practiced, as if he has done it a thousand times.
Her pearly white, rounded toes press into the soft carpet, curling helplessly.
Susu feels awkward and gathers her courage. "Your Highness..."
Xue Yao finds a clean piece of cloth and tosses it to her to wipe her face. At her words, he glances at her.
His gaze makes Susu shiver, and she hastily changes what she was about to say, her voice soft and sweet. "O-Older brother."
When Susu is six, a handsome older boy arrives at her home.
The youth is distinguished and frail, with eyes as gloomy as ice. Even the rowdiest boys in the military camp don't dare provoke him.
Her father-king strokes her head and tells her that the boy's mother has just died and his family has cast him out. His life has been tragic, so he has decided to take him in as his adopted son.
Susu has also grown up without a mother, so she understands the pain better than most. Her fear eases a little, and when they meet, she hides behind her father and timidly calls him older brother.
Everyone in the prince's household dotes on Susu, but he alone is strict with her, so she never dares act out in front of him.
Back then, Susu could never have imagined that this expressionless older brother, who checked her calligraphy practice, would one day gently wash her feet beneath the dim glow of candlelight.
Reader's Guide
1. A beautiful, delicate, and utterly innocent young princess x her adopted older brother, radiant and refined on the surface, gloomy and obsessive underneath
2. Both are virgins, 1v1, sweet romance
Theme: Break through every obstacle and find happiness
