[The neighboring novel, "The Favored Imperial Chef (Reborn)," is complete. Check it out in my author's catalog, and feel free to add it to your collection!]
Xu Ronghua was born to a farming family and made two life-changing decisions. First, she entered into a contract marriage with the Crown Prince, who had been stranded in Chonglian County after an assassination attempt, to escape the miserable fate of being sold as a concubine. Second, after learning that the Crown Prince had lost his memory in an accident, she took the opportunity to convince him that they were deeply in love, bringing disaster in its wake.
*
The Crown Prince lost his memory, and Xu Ronghua gave in to a moment of greed, putting on a show of deep devotion and successfully winning his trust. But as time went on, the look he gave her grew increasingly strange.
Just as she began to suspect that he had regained his memories and wondered whether she should run, the Crown Prince took her out for a visit. Two identical faces suddenly appeared before her. Xu Ronghua's heart stopped. The Crown Prince circled his arms around her from behind, resting his head on her neck and shoulder as he smiled and asked, "Guess which one of us is the Crown Prince?"
*
The Empress gave birth to twins, an ill omen. Because of a single prophecy, Zhao Yan, born frail, was the one cast aside. Imprisoned outside the palace, he was known to no one.
After years of plotting, Zhao Yan prepared to deceive the world and take another's place. But things changed midway, and a close female friend the Crown Prince had met after being attacked disrupted his plans. Zhao Yan had no choice but to take her back to the palace.
At first, Zhao Yan thought little of Xu Ronghua, privately mocking his younger brother's poor taste. Yet the longer he spent with her, the more his jealousy grew, until he could no longer contain it. He thought, "What could possibly be so good about that man, that Xu Ronghua loves him so deeply? Zhao Shi clearly doesn't deserve her!"
Reading tips:
1. SC, HE
2. Set in an imaginary dynasty, with many original worldbuilding details
3. The heroine first enters a fake marriage with the second male lead, then marries the male lead after their divorce
Theme: Choices matter more than effort
Conquering the World Takes All My Grind!
How to Become an Interstellar Star Director
Collection of Short Stories About a Matriarchal World
The Favored Palace Chef (Reborn)
After Swapping Places with the Founding Empress
Can You Really Become Emperor by Slacking Off Like This?
The Fallen Kingdom System: Turning the Tide