◎ Hand in hand, we'll soar to the heavens, and stay together through life and death until our hair turns white.
[Beautiful assassin, black turning white X black-hearted hero of a chaotic age, white turning black]
In the thirteenth year of the Tiansheng era, rebel forces swept into Jiangnan.
Shen Ce, son of the reclusive Prince An, cared about nothing and went along with a few other young lords to seek pleasure at the Misty Rain Pavilion.
Candlelight flickered, and fragrant smoke curled through the air. Shen Ce sat alone to one side, looking relaxed. Moonlight made his exquisite features and jade-like face even more striking.
Unexpectedly, the curtains fluttered, and a woman in red stumbled straight into his arms.
Rong Yan traced her slender fingers over his handsome face. Her eyes shimmered, her red lips were like flames, and she spoke softly:
"How about I keep you company night after night, and we lose ourselves in pleasure together?"
Shen Ce closed his folding fan and slowly lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable.
After a long pause, he gave a faint smile and murmured a single syllable in reply.
*
This is a true age of chaos.
The emperor is incompetent, treacherous ministers hold sway, and forces are stirring beneath the surface. Heroes from every corner of the realm covet the dragon throne high above.
Rong Yan is an assassin in the service of Prince Yong, codenamed "Twelve Butterflies."
She is ordered to eliminate threats. Her final mission is to assassinate Shen Ce, after which she can finally be free.
She intends to seduce him, get close to him, and strike decisively when the opportunity arises.
But before she can find the right moment, another rebellion breaks out in Jiangnan.
That gentleman, always gentle and unambitious, one day rallies an army of thousands. In his black robes, he rides forth, and people flock to his banner wherever he goes, enthroning him as king.
Dressed in splendid robes, he walks toward her unhurriedly. His sharply defined fingers clamp around her slender waist, his expression languid.
"Assassin Twelve Butterflies, why don't you... become my queen?"
Rong Yan's red lips curved into a smile. "Shen Ce, you've been hiding your true self pretty well."
Shen Ce laughed softly as he waved his fan. "My queen, you can say the same."
*
Everyone knows Shen Ce is cunning and has spent years biding his time. He's a hero who fought his way to power in this chaotic age.
He's decisive, cold-blooded, and heartless, with no attachments.
Yet the woman who set out to kill him made him willing to bow to her for the rest of his life.
Blurb dated 2023/7/8
1. One-on-one, both leads' first time, happy ending.
2. The male lead appears gentle at first, but later reveals his true nature. He's somewhat obsessive and unhinged.
3. The female lead is delicate and soft, but strong-willed inside. She weaponizes her beauty and has assassinated many people, all corrupt ministers who endangered the country.
*Special thanks to the song: Jay Chou, "Red Dust Inn"
Theme: A love story between rivals who fall for each other.
