A Spring Romance by Imperial Decree

After the State of Chu suffered a crushing defeat, Princess Chu Yin and her younger brother were sent to the Jin Dynasty as hostages. Everyone knew perfectly well that the fallen princess was nothing more than an extra, and would likely have to remain in Great Jin forever.

At a palace banquet, the emperor declared that the princess of Chu and the Third Prince were a perfect match, destined for a happy marriage.

Xie Tang's eyes swept over Chu Yin with a tender look. He clasped his hands and accepted the decree. "Your son has long admired the princess. Thank you, Father Emperor, for granting us this marriage."

Xie Tang was as radiant as the moon, with a gentle, considerate nature. He was the perfect young man.

Everyone thought the princess of Chu had hit the jackpot, winning the Third Prince's boundless affection after their marriage.

No one knew that Xie Tang had been the light she had kept in her heart since childhood.

But all her beautiful fantasies turned to ashes that day.

With her own ears, she heard the voice that whispered sweet nothings to her every night say such cold, heartless words.

"I married her because I needed her for the moment. Once she's no longer useful, I'll discard her."

Someone asked, "Then why do you cling to her every night, Your Highness?"

Xie Tang chuckled. "The emperor granted me this marriage, and I have such a beautiful wife. Why should I deny myself?"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Chu Yin stood behind the door, her palms turning cold.

**

Knowing she had given her heart to the wrong person, Chu Yin quickly withdrew her affections.

She squeezed out the last of what she could gain from the relationship, then asked for a divorce.

That night, Xie Tang only asked if she had thought it through.

She had. In fact, she had never been so clearheaded.

Xie Tang did not force her to stay. He let her go.

Without Chu Yin, Xie Tang's life seemed no different from before. But every night, only he knew that he missed her so desperately he felt like he was going mad.

On the night before Chu Yin was due to return to Chu, the cold-hearted prince, who had always looked down on everyone, appeared before her.

Another man stood beside her, looking intimate with her.

Xie Tang's eyes reddened, and he lost his usual composure. "Chu Yin, what will it take for you not to leave...?"

Chu Yin lifted her eyes. There was no trace of love for him in them.

"We each got what we wanted, Your Highness. There's no need for you to keep pretending to be in love."

How could Xie Tang not understand? How could he not know?

But only now did he truly realize that in this ridiculous, sham marriage, he had been the only one who fell too deep to pull himself free. Now he was left loving someone he could never have.

1. A born-bad, unhinged prince x a resilient, fallen, beautiful princess

2. One-on-one, both each other's first, married first and love later, groveling pursuit, tangled romance.

Theme: To be added.