Deceived by Spring

[Historical romance *Beyond the Pleasures of Love* is currently being serialized] [A captivating springtime con artist × a purehearted puppy (now darkened)] Qing’e was born a beauty. She traveled from town to town with her brother, using her looks to lure wealthy young men into their trap, then squeezing them for a hefty payout. He wasn’t her real brother. That year in Jiangning County, they agreed to give up their swindling ways, marry, and settle down there. But in an alley lived the wealthy Feng family, whose young master stirred their hearts like spring frogs and autumn cicadas. “Dear Qing’e, I think the young master of the Feng family has a thing for you. He’s practically a fat sheep delivering himself to our door. It’d be a sin not to fleece him.” As Qing’e spent time with the young master, who seemed to know nothing but poetry and romance, she discovered that he did have a sincere side. When the time came, they agreed to go aboard a boat and “catch her cheating,” but Qing’e never stopped the boat. They left the world behind and drifted together on the Qinhuai River all night. The young master blushed after tasting forbidden fruit for the first time. “Qing’e… I think there’s nothing in this life I wouldn’t give you.” Once ashore, she swindled him out of his money and disappeared. *Five years later* Feng Juncheng, a Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel, was sent to inspect Zhejiang and investigate a case involving a Qiantang bully oppressing a widow. He never imagined the widow the constables brought in would be her. Feng Juncheng gave a cold laugh. How had he been stupid enough to fall into her trap back then? He’d been nineteen, young and inexperienced, afraid she’d tell her husband’s family. He’d paid a hundred taels of silver to settle the matter and unwittingly helped their scheme succeed. “Li Qing’e, you say Xu Guangde seized your land and tried to force you to submit. Do you have any witnesses?” Just as he was about to make things difficult for her and humiliate her a little, a constable brought a four-year-old girl before Feng Juncheng. Qing’e looked troubled. “My daughter, Li Ru, is my witness.” The little girl thumped out two loud kowtows. In a babyish voice, she pleaded, “Your Honor, please get justice for Qing’e.” #She ran away with a baby after a honey trap Reading guide: * Both leads have only ever been with each other; bittersweet and sweet. * The “darkened” label is the kind of thing you’d see after someone changes their username. He’s still purehearted at heart. * No actual cheating takes place. The heroine and the second male lead are pretending to be married. * About calling the heroine a “beauty”: sigh, I keep getting scolded for that. The word is neutral, and it’s used by a third-person narrator. In a fictional setting, it doesn’t reflect the author’s views. “Beauty” conveys her appearance, era, and circumstances, and I couldn’t find a better word, so I used it! November 6, 2022 Upcoming historical romance *Beauty Is Not for Sale* #Pregnancy before love# #She leaves with the baby# The old Duke was gravely ill, and everyone in his household had their own schemes, uncertain who would inherit the title. The old Duke had once declared that the Xie family title could not pass to a son born of a concubine. Only a legitimate son with a male heir of his own could inherit. The old man was so desperate for a grandson that he’d lost his mind. None of his three legitimate sons had a son. The eldest doted on his daughter, the second had only recently married, and the third, Xie Wenzheng, had never married at all. Everyone assumed the next head of the family would be either the eldest or the second son. No one expected a maid to approach Xie Wenzheng and offer to trade her lovely face for a deal with him. Xie Wenzheng was surprised by her cunning. He saw that she thought herself clever and beautiful, and wanted a child to elevate her status. A year later, the maid bore Xie Wenzheng a son, but in the end she took only the money and left after buying her freedom. * Mingxi left the capital and worked hard for three years. Renowned for her skill with the qin, she became the most mysterious music tutor among the daughters of the great families. Through a referral, she began teaching a young lady at the provincial governor’s residence. That spring, a distinguished guest came to visit. She stepped out of the way and ran into a lost little boy. “Little one, where’s your mother?” “Hmph, I don’t have a mother. Dad says she didn’t want me, so she left me behind and ran away.” Mingxi froze for a moment. When she looked up, she saw the boy’s father coming to find him. * In the fourth year of Xie Wenzheng’s search for Mingxi, their child found her. She had barely changed. She was still just as crafty, brazen, selfish, and heartless. “Ruan Mingxi, so you’re still alive. I thought you were dead.” “…It’s been years, Third Master, but you still have a way with words.” Theme: Be honest with the one you love.