Begonia's Spring Letter (Reborn)

My other book, The Third Year of Marriage, is currently being serialized: a reserved, quiet young lady and a bold, carefree young general.

In her previous life, Song Yuntang stole her cousin's marriage to avoid marrying the impoverished young master of the Shen family.

Who could have guessed that her cousin would soon marry the Crown Prince and become empress when he ascended the throne?

Meanwhile, Song Yuntang's marriage in the marquis's household was miserable. Her husband and she were at odds, her mother-in-law was unkind, and she couldn't get along with her sisters-in-law. Her husband's concubine got pregnant first, and Song Yuntang eventually died with bitter resentment.

Only after her death did she learn she was the villainess in a storybook. Her cousin and the Crown Prince were the hero and heroine, and her role had been to steal the heroine's marriage.

When she opened her eyes again, she was back on the day she had refused the match.

The young master of the Shen family stood outside the door, refined and immaculate. She was momentarily dazed as she remembered the rainy night in her previous life, when he had been turned away at the gates of the Song residence.

He had held a blue umbrella, his gentle bearing like a pine tree on a mountain peak. When he left, he had given her the umbrella.

Faced with her father's reproach, Song Yuntang changed her mind this time.

-

Song Yunshu always thought Song Yuntang was crazy to give up on marrying into the Marquis of Anyuan's household, only to choose the impoverished Shen family.

She waited to see Song Yuntang throw her weight around in the Shen household and earn their disdain.

But after a long wait, Song Yuntang was never rejected. Instead, her husband rose to the highest ranks of the court.

Song Yunshu thought that now that the young master of the Shen family had power, he would divorce his wife at once.

But he didn't. During a palace banquet, in a secluded corner, she instead stumbled upon the powerful minister, so sought-after that his influence was overwhelming, gently coaxing her spoiled cousin into putting on her shoe.

The man held her cousin's jade-white foot in his hand.

Faint red marks could still be seen on it.

A spoiled noblewoman and an elegant, impoverished scholar. Marriage first, love later.

Reading Guide:

1. One-on-one romance, both leads are virgins, with an eight-year age gap.

2. There's a reason the heroine stole the marriage in her previous life (important!).

3. Includes an ex-husband who pursues his wife after the breakup.

4. A fluffy, brainless romance. The heroine isn't clever, so don't expect too much from her.

5. I am trying to write a gentle male lead.

6. Please don't leave comments if you're reading a pirated copy.

Jade's Embrace

Xue Fuyu had been married to Xie Lian for ten years, supporting him as he rose from an unfavored prince to the emperor who now ruled the realm.

Throughout those years, she and Xie Lian had supported each other. Under his rule, the land enjoyed peace and prosperity, and she thought they would go on like that forever.

But then Xie Lian's former fiancee, her cousin, returned as a widow.

Everyone said the emperor still had feelings for his former fiancee. At first, she didn't believe them.

Until one day, she saw them together in the garden, standing close as they talked.

Only then did she understand that even after ten years by Xie Lian's side, she could never compare to the deep love he had felt in his youth.

*

After her cousin returned, Xue Fuyu noticed that Xie Lian often lost himself in thought when they were together, and had grown impatient even with their daughter.

People outside the palace said the fourth young lady of the Xue family had returned, and that the empress's position was in danger. After all, she was the one the emperor truly loved.

The Empress Dowager wanted them to rekindle their old romance, while the Xue family said that Xue Fuyu had taken her cousin's place.

When she learned that Xie Lian intended to take a concubine, she finally lost heart and resolved to leave the capital.

*

Ten years ago, Xie Lian had been forced to marry his cousin. After a decade together, he had grown accustomed to having her by his side.

Now he was no longer a boy who could be pushed around. He could make up for everything he had once been denied.

He should have been content.

But when his always-gentle wife coolly said she would give up her place to her cousin, the usually composed emperor finally lost control.

He gripped her wrist with all his strength, like a dog about to be abandoned. His eyes red, he asked hoarsely, "Cousin, do you really not want me and the princess anymore?"

The Childhood Sweetheart Who Gets Under My Skin

Shen Zhiyi was the legitimate daughter of a distinguished family, blessed with a face of stunning beauty. In the eyes of others, she was poised and proper, and she had been childhood friends with the gentle, refined young master of the Lu family.

Everyone in the capital assumed they were a perfect match, destined to marry sooner or later.

Hearing the rumors, Shen Zhiyi rolled her eyes. Since when had her petty, vindictive childhood friend become such a refined gentleman?

Watching Lu Heng put on airs, she was thoroughly disgusted.

Lu Heng, for his part, couldn't figure out when his spoiled childhood sweetheart had become the model young lady of the capital.

Watching Shen Zhiyi act all coy and affected, he could only shake his head in disbelief.

No one knew that this seemingly harmonious and well-matched pair secretly loved undermining each other, and were in perfect agreement that the other was unworthy of them.

*

When it was time to discuss marriage, Shen Zhiyi took a fancy to the young son of the Vice Minister of Rites. He was gentle and courteous, and blushed whenever he saw her.

She hinted at her feelings and repeatedly dropped hints to her older brother that she liked reserved, gentle men.

Her brother thumped his chest and swore he would help her win the young man over.

On the day the marriage was discussed, Shen Zhiyi stared wide-eyed at the pine-straight figure standing before the elders. Who else could it be but her childhood friend, who had always been at odds with her in private?

When she saw Lu Heng smile gently at her, she stamped hard on her brother's foot as he prepared to take the credit.

*

In an empty corner of the Shen residence, Lu Heng caught up with the sulking Shen Zhiyi and pinned her against a wall. He bent down to kiss her, lingering over her lips before giving her a punitive bite.

His behavior made Shen Zhiyi's eyes redden with anger. She was sure he still resented her for ruining his marriage prospects in the past, and was deliberately tormenting her.

He really was petty!

Lu Heng chuckled and said hoarsely, "Yinu, you're right. I hold a grudge."

His tone was light with laughter, but beneath it surged feelings he could barely control.

"So, since you ruined one marriage prospect for me back then, you'll make it up to me with one now."

Theme: Make the right choice.