[The heroine's character may be changed, but the premise stays the same. Please consider bookmarking accordingly, everyone!]
Zhu Shanshan grew up doted on by both her parents, carefree and worry-free. But an imperial decree arranged her marriage and sent her far away to Liangzhou, where she became Prince Yan's wife.
They said Ling Yi had been made a prince with the title of Prince Yan despite having a different surname because his hands were stained with blood and he was ruthless. As the Zhu family saw her off, they wept and clung to one another, giving Zhu Shanshan countless instructions: Staying alive is what matters most!
On their wedding night, the man who lifted her veil was peerlessly handsome, but his gaze was so sinister it seemed he wanted to tear her apart. Remembering the rumors that Ling Yi liked to hang people from the city walls, Zhu Shanshan's heart gave a lurch. Maybe she should just run away?
She would rather be eaten by wolves or buried in sand than hung from the city wall.
*
Ling Yi was hard as iron and endured years of hardship, risking his life for over a decade until he finally made a name for himself at the border and rose to the highest ranks.
After achieving fame and success, he petitioned the emperor to arrange a marriage, taking Zhu Shanshan as his wife solely to avenge the way she had once betrayed him and broken off their engagement. He never expected that Zhu Shanshan would not only have forgotten him, but would also keep trying to escape Liangzhou and return to the capital.
Ling Yi easily tied her up and dragged her back to the prince's residence. Gripping her delicate chin, he threatened her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes: "If you can escape, I'll let you go. If you can't, then behave yourself and serve me."
Now that she was in his hands, he truly couldn't believe she would escape his torments.
To his surprise, Zhu Shanshan was overjoyed. "Really?"
Ling Yi: What? I was freaking threatening you!!!
*Scene 1:
The day after the little princess was dragged back, she shared lunch with Prince Yan.
Zhu Shanshan stared blankly at the heap of meat in her bowl, piled up like a little mountain. The man's expression was gloomy, and his chopsticks kept moving back and forth.
They each had their own thoughts.
Ling Yi: How did the Zhu family raise her? She's so thin she looks like a stick, and she's lighter than my blade.
Zhu Shanshan: Is Prince Yan trying to tell me... I need to eat my fill to have the strength to run?
*Scene 2:
After learning why Prince Yan had requested an imperial decree arranging their marriage, Zhu Shanshan returned to her parents' home.
The once-noble young lady was now a runaway bride. People in the capital laughed that the Zhu family's daughter had been cruelly mistreated, and criticized and gossiped about the Zhu family.
To their surprise, Ling Yi rode over through the night.
In full view of everyone, his face dark, he knelt at the Zhu family's gate.
Through gritted teeth and in a humble voice, he said, "I was wrong. I should've said something. I deserve this!"
*Reading Guide:
1. One-on-one romance, both leads' first love, happy ending. A tough-talking, soft-hearted, arrogant guard dog x a sweet, timid, imaginative beauty.
2. A lively, sweet romance. A story of #the wise don't fall in love, but fools repeat their mistakes#.
3. No angst for the heroine (emphasis added). The hero talks big, but he is the one who serves the heroine. The heroine's father was responsible for breaking off their engagement, and she didn't know about it. The hero misunderstands her, so this tight-lipped fool deserves to have his wife run away.
4. Entirely fictional setting, no political intrigue. The plot serves the romance, and everyone's an idiot.
5. Thanks for enjoying the story. I hope you have fun reading. Please don't attack the author or readers personally, and don't mention this story under other works.
6. Cover used with permission from @Zai Shui Qian Shan.
Theme: People need to communicate with each other honestly.
