A mastermind with ambition x a sheltered little flower
When her father is demoted and exiled to Lingnan, he entrusts Lin Ruozhao to his prized student, Pei Xingzhi, the current prime minister.
With nowhere else to go, Lin Ruozhao has no choice but to accept the arrangement.
That very day, Pei Xingzhi comes to fetch her himself.
Separated by a curtain of spring rain, Lin Ruozhao softly calls, "Lord Pei."
He gives a slight nod, cool and distant.
After that, she moves into the Pei residence.
Pei Xingzhi treats her as he always has, teaching her poetry, essays, political affairs, and the ways of the world in his spare time.
Lin Ruozhao follows the rules, never daring to overstep.
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Later, at the Lantern Festival, Lin Ruozhao unexpectedly solves a riddle set by the young marquis, and fate brings the two together for a conversation.
Not long after, people from the marquis's household arrive to propose a marriage.
She can't spend her whole life living under someone else's roof, and marrying the young marquis is her best option for now.
That night, Lin Ruozhao goes to the study to discuss the matter with Pei Xingzhi. She stands outside for a long time before finally pushing open the door.
Halfway through their conversation, she notices his expression change and abruptly falls silent.
"Love at first sight, and a delightful conversation?" Pei Xingzhi repeats softly. He sets down the pen he's snapped in two and walks toward her, his face dark. "Have you forgotten that I was the one who taught you all that?"
"T-Teacher?"
Lin Ruozhao instinctively steps back as he closes in on her.
"You know I'm your teacher, Zhaozhao. Who told you to use what I taught you to charm another man?"
/2026.7.8
*An alternate universe. No characters are based on real people.
Theme: Love and freedom.
