A Cliched Substitute Story

[Pre-release: The same-series possessive romance, Zhe Ying] [Pre-releases set in the same world: Miss So Charming, Three Marriages] After her husband died on the battlefield, Ming Xiao decided to find a substitute for her amusement. The brilliant, dashing top graduate Yan Luan accidentally caught her eye. Even better, he had a build similar to her late husband’s and could pass for him perfectly. With a little cleverness, she soon won him over, and he willingly became her new consort. * As their wedding date drew near, Ming Xiao’s dead husband came back to life. He and Ming Xiao had been childhood sweethearts and married young. They were once the perfect couple, the very picture of an immortal pair. Yan Luan finally learned that he had always been someone else’s substitute. He wanted to confront her, to fight for her, but he was so insignificant. How could he compare to the noble young general, whose character was as bright and open as the moon? Leaving was the only sensible choice. But Ming Xiao gripped his wrist and would not let him take a single step away. She seemed genuinely anxious. “True feelings? Of course I have them.” Yan Luan did not believe her. How much could she truly feel for someone she had taken as a substitute? * After Yan Luan ran away, Ming Xiao thought he was just throwing a little tantrum. But when her prey stayed away for too long, the hunter finally lost patience and decided to catch him again. On a snowy day, with nowhere left to run, Yan Luan huddled in a cold, muddy corner. Smiling, Ming Xiao drew a glaring streak of blood across his face with her fingernail. “You ran so far. Did you think it would help?” “Still, I caught you, didn’t I?” On countless nights when he could neither live nor die, Yan Luan regretted it deeply. If he had known things would come to this, he should never have let his heart stir first. * [Reader's Guide] 1. The female lead is not a virgin; the male lead is. 2. No need to tell me if you drop the story. 3. Set in an alternate world. The political scheming is light, and the scope is small. 4. The characters are flawed. The heroine truly loved the second male lead. She uses a wheelchair early on and recovers in the middle of the story. The male lead cries easily and loves to weep. ★ Cover art used with permission from Hanqing Huaxuan, artist @Lexia Miedie ★ Setting, ideas, and worldbuilding: Weibo @Hushuo De Qiqi [Pre-release: Zhe Ying] The state of Qi was in decline and on the brink of ruin. To secure protection, twelve-year-old Prince Yun Huai was sent to Jin as a hostage. The emperor of Jin held a banquet to welcome the envoy. At the palace feast, Yun Huai heard a clear, bright laugh. “Prince Yun is quite to my liking. Mother, why not give him to me?” He turned and saw a face of breathtaking beauty. A servant told him she was the emperor of Jin’s cherished daughter, the Third Princess of Jin, named Ming Yan. * Yun Huai became the Third Princess Ming Yan’s attendant, devoting himself to her wholeheartedly and caring for her in every way for ten years. He took arrows and tested poison in her place, leaving his body covered in wounds. He plotted to help her seize power, spending half his life’s efforts on her. Yet Ming Yan led her army to conquer Qi, destroyed his homeland, slaughtered his family, then held up his father’s severed head and smiled at him. The blood drained from Yun Huai’s body. Facing the wind atop the city wall, he was nearly in despair, yet still could not give up hope. He asked her: “If I jump, will you regret it?” “Will you feel even the slightest bit of sadness?” Yun Huai swore he would take revenge on her. He would make Ming Yan suffer unbearably and regret everything. No matter what it cost him. * For years, Ming Yan had ruled and killed with decisive resolve, never fearing retribution. Yet after destroying one insignificant little state, she faced the most frenzied and cruel revenge a man could inflict. Theme: Flowers bloom again, but no one is young twice.