Sheng Yanqing was a cold-faced general renowned throughout the land, ruthless and merciless. Rumor had it that no woman could come within three paces of him.
One night, he was ambushed and climbed over the wall into a secluded courtyard in the middle of the night.
In the moonlight, he saw a woman in a thin veil that trailed to the ground, its light fabric half undone. The night breeze lifted her hem, revealing a glimpse of her snowy-white ankle. A silver chain encircled it, set with a scarlet ruby that swayed with her steps, radiantly seductive.
His mind reeled. He fell from the tree, seized that jade-like ankle, and pulled her into his arms.
Candlelight flickered red as they spent a night in passionate entanglement.
By morning, he could no longer find her.
Then one day, she appeared before him again, her hair arranged in a married woman's style.
"Give me a child." Her clothes were drenched by the sudden downpour and clung to her body. Her softly curved figure swayed as if she might collapse, and she looked even more pitiful than she had that night.
He lowered his eyes to her, his gaze dark. "Give me a reason."
She did not speak. She moved forward with graceful steps, the silver chain at her ankle chiming softly. The ruby, glistening with raindrops, shattered his composure.
He thought she was merely a pitiful woman neglected by her husband.
Until he caught the intoxicating scent of her body on another man.
He laughed in anger.
Reading guide:
1. Set in an alternate late Tang dynasty, with the political atmosphere of the Kaiyuan era as inspiration. The plot is entirely original and does not follow the official history. Historical figures only exist in the background and have no role in the main plot.
2. Neither lead is normal. They're a pair of lunatics.
3. 1v1, both are virgins.
2022.12.15
Theme: May every year bring peace and safety.
