A Qing Dynasty Tale of Jade Beauty and Blossoms

Tongjia Youzhen was the only girl among the younger generation of the Tongjia clan. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she had been doted on by everyone since she was little.

In the thirtieth year of Kangxi's reign, the Imperial Noble Consort fell gravely ill with grief after the death of a little princess. After discussing it among themselves, the Tongjia family bundled up four-year-old Youzhen and sent her into the Forbidden City to ease the consort's sorrow.

Back then, Youzhen was a fearless little dumpling who was afraid of nothing, except the stern, proper Fourth Prince in Chengqian Palace.

Whenever she got into trouble and was caught, she couldn't help wanting to cry when she saw that cold face.

When Youzhen was six, she came down with a serious illness. Following a master's advice, her family sent her to recuperate in Jiangnan. Only then did she escape the Fourth Prince's shadow. She never saw him again after that.

After her fifteenth birthday, Youzhen returned to the capital with the imperial entourage on its southern inspection tour. The moment she stepped aboard the imperial ship, she saw the man who had always terrified her.

Youzhen timidly called out, "Cousin..."

*

Before the southern tour, the Fourth Prince's impression of Youzhen had remained that of a spoiled, mischievous little dumpling. He had never once seen the obedient, sweet girl his mother praised.

After the southern tour, all he could think about was the young lady carefully lifting her skirts as she stepped aboard. She was beautiful and graceful, with a delicate, clear-eyed charm.

When she saw him, the young lady smiled. The misty rain of Jiangnan seemed to linger in her eyes as she softly called him cousin.

P.S. In this story, the heroine's aunt is the Imperial Noble Consort Tongjia, and she is still alive. The timeline has been altered.

The pairing is with the Fourth Prince, with an age gap of about ten years.

This is probably an old-school, cheesy setup, so please think twice before reading if that's not your thing.

My completed novel, Daily Life of a Qing Dynasty Concubine Rising Through the Ranks in the Fourth Prince's Household, and my upcoming novel, A Peerless Beauty Transmigrates into Da Yu'er [Qing Dynasty], are both in my author column~

Also check out my upcoming novel, The Future Little Crown Prince Clings to Me and Calls Me Mother! Click on my author column to find it!

Blurb:

Li Ruyi is an overlooked princess who receives no affection. Her princess mother dotes on her elder sister, while her minister father favors his youngest son. She alone is denied her parents' love and is raised by servants.

Then, during an outing, a little boy suddenly appears out of nowhere. Innocent, adorable, and full of mischief, he sees her once and immediately follows her around calling her "Mother." No matter how much she tries, she can't chase him away or shake him off.

The boy clutches Li Ruyi's personal jade pendant and insists that she will one day be his beloved mother.

That would be strange enough, but Li Ruyi discovers that the clothes he wears and the crown on his head are those of the current Crown Prince!

If the boy is telling the truth, does that mean she will become empress one day and give birth to the Crown Prince?

The little Crown Prince adds, "Father loves Mother most of all. You're the only one in his harem. My tutor says it's like drawing from a river of three thousand waters, but Father drinks from just one gourd."

Well, well, she gets the Emperor's exclusive favor!

Li Ruyi touches her own beautiful, otherworldly face and decides that this might not be entirely impossible.

But who will her future husband be? The brave and mighty First Imperial Brother, the gentle and refined Second Imperial Brother, or the eccentric, gloomy Third Imperial Brother?

Oh dear, what a difficult choice...

*

At the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, she dresses the little boy as a girl and sneaks him into the palace.

"Sweetie, point out your beloved father to Mother. I'll give you osmanthus candy when we get back."

Li Ruyi strokes the little Crown Prince's round head and speaks softly.

The little Crown Prince raises his head from his plate, looks past the crowd, and gazes straight at the high dais.

He opens his mouth wide and cries out in a clear child's voice, "Father! I'm over here!"

Li Ruyi looks up. The moment she sees who he is pointing to, the silver chopsticks slip right out of her hand and hit the floor.

The boy wasn't calling to anyone else. He was calling to her... Imperial Uncle, the Emperor!

P.S. The little Crown Prince is the heroine's son, and he transmigrates to her side.

The pairing is between a nephew and his aunt by marriage, but they are not related by blood.

The heroine is the most beautiful. The male lead is a non-virgin Emperor, and there is an age gap. Please don't read if that bothers you.

Theme: Staying true to oneself