A Beloved Beauty in the Imperial Capital

* Complete / bedtime sweet romance * About this story: * Fair-skinned, beautiful, delicate young lady x fake aloof, secretly pure-hearted general (size difference √) When an imperial decree arranged the marriage of Yu Youlian and Jiang Youchao, everyone in the capital thought the couple were a poor match. One was the pampered darling of the Duke of Ling’s household, raised in a distinguished clan and blessed with skin as fair as snow and features as lovely as a painting. Just looking at her made people want to dote on her and indulge her. The other was a rough, uncouth general from a humble family who had risen to prominence through military merit. He had once taken down dozens of enemy soldiers with a single spear, and on the day he entered the capital, he even frightened a two-year-old into tears in the street. Jiang Youchao himself thought so too. So when the Duke of Ling’s household sent over a long dowry list filled with rare treasures, fashionable jewelry, fine silks, and brocades, he didn’t say a word. He only planned to make the best of the marriage and let them live in peace. That was until the spring hunt, when the young lady with snowy skin and red lips, her little face glowing like polished white jade, accidentally stumbled into his arms. Jiang Youchao swept out a large hand and caught her securely. She thanked him with a graceful bow, revealing a delicate, slender neck that looked soft to the touch, both haughty and alluring. Jiang Youchao let go in a fluster. From an angle no one could see, his earlobes suddenly turned bright red. * People in the capital were astonished to discover that Commander Jiang, who had always been taciturn and cold, was holding his radiant, beautiful wife in the palm of his hand after their wedding. On the second day of their marriage, he personally went to the Hall of Golden Chimes to request several chests of silk and brocade, all because the young lady had casually mentioned that the bed was too hard. On her birthday, he released Kongming lanterns all over the city just to make her smile. Even when the young lady sulked, he coaxed and pleaded with her gently, afraid she might suffer even the slightest grievance. Only then did everyone realize: The young lady who had been pampered by the Duke of Ling’s household was even more comfortable and carefree after marriage than before. *Bonus scene: Princess Youyang, who had never gotten along with Youlian, returned to the capital. The Empress Dowager held a banquet to welcome her. At the banquet, Princess Youyang openly mocked Jiang Youchao, insulting Youlian’s future husband at every turn. Everyone exchanged glances, but no one dared criticize the princess, who was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager. They could only cast sympathetic looks toward a corner of the hall. Youlian’s face turned deathly pale, and her eyes reddened. Crystal-clear tears threatened to spill, making her look heartbreakingly pitiable. Everyone thought she was about to cry. But the usually delicate young lady spoke through her tears, her words ringing clear and strong: “The general is brave and skilled in battle. He led the troops to reclaim the provinces of Yan and Liang one after another. He is a role model for us all. If I hadn’t married him, someone else would have. A woman as magnificent as he is could only be matched by someone worthy of him!” Jiang Youchao, who had been about to enter, froze for a moment. The emperor glanced at his stern, handsome profile and teased him on purpose. “It seems I really did arrange a fine match. The young lady admires you quite a lot!” Jiang Youchao lowered his eyes to the sachet hanging from his robe and said nothing, still wearing the same cold, indifferent expression. The emperor gave a soft snort and stepped inside. Only the sachet, carefully placed beside his pillow every night, knew how fiercely he loved her. *Before you read: ★ First loves for both leads, one-on-one sweet romance, domestic everyday life ★ A lively, proud young beauty who loves a crowd and is brilliant at acting x a fake aloof, secretly pure-hearted commander of the Imperial Guards who only falls for his darling ★ The official system is modeled on the Tang and Song dynasties; everything else is mostly fictional. Please don’t come at me with historical nitpicking, kisses --------------Upcoming story-------------- "Plucking the Golden Branch" Proud, sharp-tongued little princess x aloof, upright noble gentleman Sheng Chi'an, the legitimate son of the Duke of Sheng, was as elegant as an orchid and a jade tree. His song about flowers had made him famous throughout the capital. Unfortunately, fortune was not on his side. With no hope of inheriting the title, he could only work hard, aim to top the imperial examinations, and earn a place in the officialdom. On the eve of the palace examination, the emperor’s most beloved daughter, Princess Deyin, took a fancy to Sheng Chi'an and insisted on marrying him. Forced to marry a princess, Sheng Chi'an lost every chance to rise quickly through the ranks. He could only make do with a middling, idle post, while people sneered that he owed his position to his looks. Everyone thought he hated Princess Deyin. * The factional struggle spread to the imperial harem, and Deyin had to hurriedly choose a husband and marry. Using the verdict in an imperial examination fraud case as leverage, she struck a deal with Sheng, a young gentleman of the capital famed for his literary talent. She would help him escape a death sentence, and he would help her deal with her marriage. The day the marriage was decreed was the first time Deyin had properly looked at her “beloved.” The two walked side by side out of the Hall of Golden Chimes. The princess, resplendent in red, suddenly turned back. Her phoenix eyes curved, and her beauty was more alluring than the most dazzling peony in the capital, yet her words were merciless: We’ll divorce in two years. You can pursue your own bright future, and I’ll live as I please. Sheng Chi'an paused, then nodded with a soft laugh. Deep in his eyes lay a possessiveness so intense it was frightening. “All right.” * When he was young, his tutor taught him to study the Four Books and Five Classics, to manipulate power and read people’s hearts, and also taught him one truth. If you covet something you cannot have, plan carefully, then pursue it slowly. * Theme: Putting yourself in another person’s shoes is the only way to build a harmonious life