The Beloved Little Childhood Friend

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Shen Qingsui is the only daughter of Prince Shen. She is granted the title of commandery princess when she's just one hundred days old.

Prince Shen is an upright and kind man who adopts three orphaned sons of fallen soldiers.

Shen Qingsui grows up surrounded by the love of her three older brothers.

After her coming-of-age ceremony, suitors crowd her doorstep.

Those who compete in martial arts are beaten black and blue by her eldest brother and carried out.

Those who compete in wealth are left thoroughly humbled by her second brother's businesses.

Those who compete in scholarship are verbally skewered by her third brother until they draw their swords and kill themselves.

Before long, no one dares come to ask for the hand of Commandery Princess Pingle.

With four siblings bearing four different surnames, rumors spread throughout Qinzhou City that Prince Shen adopted three sons so they could be child husbands for his daughter.

Shen Qingsui, doted on by her brothers, cries that she'll never find a husband.

Her eldest brother, who will one day become a celebrated general, strokes the top of her head. "Don't worry, little sister. You won't be left without a husband."

Her second brother, a merchant who will become the richest man in the land, pinches her cheek. "You always know how to joke, little sister."

Her third brother, who will enter government to pursue his ambitions and become a young chancellor, wipes away her tears. "Don't cry."

Shen Qingsui thinks that even if she never marries, it would be nice for the family to live happily together forever.

She does everything she can to make her brothers happy, especially her third brother, who became quiet after he witnessed his clan being wiped out.

But later, the way her third brother looks at her grows increasingly strange.

[Male lead's perspective]

Tong Beilu is the legitimate son of a former censor-in-chief. Had things gone as expected, he would have spent his life in luxury and privilege.

Then everything fell apart. His biological father died unjustly, and his adoptive father died a wrongful death. Only then did he realize he was fated to be a calamity star.

From then on, he became cold and aloof, indifferent and arrogant.

At the brink of death, he clings to the powerful Prince's household. He watches the pampered commandery princess, bright as a little sun, and wants to approach her, but fears her blazing warmth will burn him.

He treats her as a chess piece at his fingertips, but she offers him her whole heart.

The stray dog who survived in the mud now dares to entertain an extravagant hope.

He could give up everything, even himself, but all he wants is to keep her safe and give her a peaceful life.

He becomes chancellor, and the Shen family stands on the brink of ruin. The once-pampered commandery princess, eyes red, begs him again and again, calling him Third Brother.

Instead, he pins her against the door and grits out in her ear, "I'm not your real brother."

Reading guide: The male lead is the third brother. Both leads are virgins. There is a revenge plot, but it plays a small part. The story is mostly a sweet, everyday romance.

The early chapters cover the siblings' childhood and adolescence.

The heroine's feelings for him are strictly those of a sister until her coming-of-age ceremony. Take note.

Synopsis saved from a screenshot on January 16, 2022.

Coming soon: The Little Empress Dowager in My Palm and My Cousin Is Delicate and Soft

My Cousin Is Delicate and Soft:

Shen Jue is delicate, soft, and as lovely as a jade figurine. At Duke Wei's birthday banquet, she catches the eye of Xie Can, the legitimate second son of the Xie family.

The second son, Xie Can, smiles roguishly. "Cousin Shen is so sweet and adorable. Would you like to come live with me in the manor while we grow up together?"

It was only a joke, but Shen Jue is sent to the Duke's manor as a child bride, and Xie Can soon grows bored of her.

Shen Jue is left in a secluded courtyard, where she's bullied. Fortunately, the fair-minded Heir Xie protects her, allowing her to grow up safely.

At her coming-of-age ceremony, Shen Jue is like a flower in full bloom, her beauty impossible to hide.

"Cousin Shen, you're so beautiful. It'd be a real pity not to take you as my concubine." Xie Can whispers in her ear. "You don't need to thank me too much for taking you in. Just serve me well, and you'll have all the fine clothes and food you could want."

No one asks whether Shen Jue is willing. Instead, they jeer that she's climbed the social ladder.

Shen Jue has no choice but to save herself. By a twist of fate, she loses her virginity to the very man in the manor known for his fairness and integrity: the dignified Heir Xie, Xie Lan.

Afterward, Shen Jue thinks it might be for the best. At least she won't have to marry the ill-tempered Xie Can and endure his abuse every day. Heir Xie takes responsibility and says he'll marry her. She thought being his concubine would be enough, but what awaits her is an eight-carriage bridal procession from the Duke of Wei's manor, and a proper wedding.

[Male lead's perspective]

Xie Lan is naturally cold and aloof. He has followed his father into battle since childhood, and at a young age became a third-rank general. He is also fair in dealing with the manor's affairs.

The only person who gives him trouble is his full younger brother. His brother brings a young girl from distant relatives to live at the manor, then hides nearby and watches her get bullied with cold indifference.

Xie Lan isn't a particularly softhearted man, but he can't help feeling sorry for her and repeatedly steps in to help.

He sees how cautious and timid she is when she first arrives, afraid she'll have to depend on someone again.

The entire Duke's household depends on him. One little girl is no big deal.

Later, when she comes of age, he feels a blaze burning inside him whenever he sees the way his younger brother looks at her. It's impossible to ignore.

Then, one fateful night, his fire spills over and burns even hotter.

At the grand wedding procession, with ten miles of dowry, his younger brother curses him through red-rimmed eyes for being despicable.

Xie Lan takes the hand of the woman he loves and says, "Call her sister-in-law."

Reading guide:

Both leads are virgins. HE.

Contains melodramatic tropes such as coercive romance, premarital sex, and a second male lead chasing the heroine after losing her.

The second male lead is childish. He likes the heroine but doesn't know how to show it, and ends up chasing after her too late.

The author's completed works:

The Female Cultivator of the Acacia Sect Survives the Love Triangle: She Can Live if She Wins Over Five Men

After I Tore Up My Master's Male Supporting Character Script: Master Said, "Good, Tear It Up"

Premise: Life is bright, and everything is lovely.