The Crown Prince's Guide to Winning Back His Wife

[Main story complete. Please add my next novel, Beneath the Imperial Crown, to your reading list.]

An unexpected turn of events makes Shen Ruoyu the crown prince's primary consort.

On her wedding day, she rides in a phoenix crown and embroidered robes, with a wedding procession stretching ten miles. The usually aloof crown prince even comes in person in his jade carriage to receive her, making the noble ladies turn green with envy.

She is the future empress, a woman revered by the people. Her remaining years will be filled with boundless favor and splendor.

What a wonderful fate.

Yet, once the commotion outside dies away and the bright red bridal veil is slowly lifted, Shen Ruoyu suddenly meets the crown prince's dark, unreadable eyes.

"Your Highness, how about we divorce?"

Behind the glamour lies the crown prince's control and his endless rules for her. Like a caged songbird, she is imprisoned in the inner palace, cut off from the world.

Even the crown prince's mother, a female general who once rode across the battlefield, is now confined to the palace, using her paintings to color the walls that hem her in.

Shen Ruoyu refuses to accept this fate, but she doesn't expect the crown prince to change for her.

After all, the crown prince has always valued propriety and never crossed the line.

She never expected that later...

He would truly defy all opposition and let her leave the inner palace.

As the sun sets, he walks slowly toward her against the light, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His dark robes still bear the solemnity and majesty of the court.

The crown prince narrows his eyes. "What about now? Do you still want a divorce?"

[Male Lead's Perspective]

As my crown princess, she should naturally be gentle and virtuous.

But I married a woman who defies all convention.

No matter. Since I love her, I can patiently teach her.

Who could have guessed that she would coldly tell me she wanted a divorce?

Couple: A scheming, decorous crown prince x a rebellious, clear-headed noblewoman

[Reader's Guide]

1. The male lead makes his official appearance in Chapter 4. This is a serious story with a sweet streak, one-on-one romance, both leads' first relationship, happy ending.

2. The romance and plot progress on two parallel tracks. The blurb focuses on the romance. Both leads have substantial career arcs; later sections lean toward an ensemble cast and have a slower start.

3. The writing style and characterization change considerably between the beginning and the later chapters. The main plot kicks in from Chapter 80.

4. Before starting this story, I wanted to create a utopia where the male lead reforms society for the female lead, so I invented a whole world. Please don't nitpick the historical details.

Upcoming novel: Beneath the Imperial Crown

On the day of the palace examination ceremony, Shen Yunlan was already prepared to be sent away to serve as an official in the provinces.

The top scorer was the son of the Duke of Jin, a man of unmatched status. The second-place finisher's father wasn't as prominent as the duke, but he was still connected to the nobility. Only she, the third-place finisher, came from a lowly family.

According to the Sheng dynasty's custom, one of the top three would be sent out to serve as an official. That person would surely be her.

That would suit her just fine. She was a woman disguised as a man, and the vast distance from the emperor would be a blessing.

But in the end, she became one of the emperor's close ministers.

After the Qionglin Banquet, she was led to a secluded courtyard.

The master of the courtyard was pruning flowers. He was tall and slender, standing straight as a pine, his ink-black hair tied up with nothing but a moon-white ribbon.

Shen Yunlan's heart gave a little jolt, and she bowed respectfully.

The master raised a hand to gesture for her to rise. His voice was warm, yet carried the authority of the Xuanzheng Hall.

"With your talents, it would be a shame to send you away to serve elsewhere. I believe you know what you ought to do."

Theme: Love is not a cage. It gives her freedom.