A Gentle Marriage

This novel will be available to read from Friday, February 25. Synopsis: When news reached Chang'an that Qi Rong, Prince of Dingbei, had died in battle, the now-powerful Emperor Heng was overjoyed. After all his scheming, he'd finally gotten rid of the thorn in his side. "Mother, your edict did the trick. The Prince of Dingbei fell into the trap." Empress Dowager Chen Rou fainted. She lay ill for three days, and when she woke, she coughed up a mouthful of blood and recalled how, after the late emperor died, she had been just twenty-three years old, surrounded by wolves with a five-year-old child in tow. Powerful eunuchs had wanted to install Consort Xiao's son as the new emperor. Qi Rong had led a hundred thousand troops back to Chang'an. Clad in shimmering black armor and carrying a silver spear, he stood in the gilded palace hall. He said: "A Rou, don't be afraid. I'll protect you." Chen Rou became empress dowager, just as planned. Prince of Dingbei Qi Rong spent his life campaigning across the land. A master strategist, he struck fear throughout the four seas and won merit for generations to come. In just over a decade, he revived a declining dynasty, bringing peace and prosperity to the realm. He died at thirty-seven, without children, having never married. "Qi Rong, I'm sorry." Chen Rou coughed up blood, again and again. She had never imagined she would raise such an ungrateful son. At this moment of mortal danger, there was no one left to protect her. She thought: She owed him so much. She owed him a lifetime of devotion. She could only repay him in the next life. * Without crossing the Bridge of Helplessness or drinking Granny Meng's soup, Chen Rou woke again and discovered she had returned to the age of fifteen. Early spring in Chang'an. Green willows, peach blossoms covering the branches. A young girl picked a fresh twig and put it in a vase, filling the room with fragrance. A fine-clothed young noble rode through the streets, blossoms fluttering in his wake. She was still a young girl living at home. He was the arrogant young marquis next door. At this point, they couldn't stand each other. Heroine: Chen Rou. Hero: Qi Rong. A sweet little romance. Recommended upcoming novel: [The Eastern Palace's Beloved Maid] Nan Xiang was a lucky girl. When famine struck her family at the age of eight, she ended up in the imperial palace as a servant. After a few years in the Imperial Food Bureau, the scrawny little girl with her dry, straggly hair had grown into a beautiful young palace maid. She thought she would stay in the Imperial Food Bureau until she left the palace, but one day she was chosen to serve the Crown Prince's meals in the Eastern Palace. Auntie Zhou from the Imperial Food Bureau worried about the silly girl and gave her earnest advice before she left: "Serve the Crown Prince as if he were your own father." Nan Xiang took the words to heart. So when she met the Crown Prince, all she could think of was Auntie Zhou's advice: He's my father. She looked at the Crown Prince with adoring affection. Crown Prince Li Xiao was proud and aloof, and known for his unpredictable moods. In recent days, he'd noticed the new palace maid looking at him with shining, peach-blossom eyes. He understood at once: A maid trying to climb the social ladder. Let's see what tricks she tries. But day after day of watching her made his heart itch more and more. He began to think it might be nice to keep her by his side as a concubine. Then one day, he overheard the little maid bragging to another new palace maid: "Once I've saved enough money to leave the palace, I want to marry Er Zhu from the village." 1. The heroine is beautiful, but silly. Fools have good fortune, and she has more wisdom than she lets on. 2. A foolish maid and her domineering master. 3. A sweet little romance. Theme: Sincere hearts bring sincere love, understanding, and a lifetime together.