A Cup of Wine to Color Your Cheeks

Zun Jiu was born in a desolate place, fell into the mortal world, and awakened there.

She was the daughter of a prime minister, with an unreliable father and a beautiful mother who doted on her. She had always lived freely and done as she pleased.

One day, she was ordered to take part in the selection of a crown princess. She refused to submit to fate's arrangements.

By chance, she met a foolish prince who obediently called her "Big Sister."

A jade pendant, mutual probing, an eight-man bridal sedan, and she was married into his household.

After many twists and turns, she eventually revealed her identity in front of him.

"Should I call you Protector Yushan, or Miss Su?"

Zun Jiu laughed. "Why don't you call me Big Sister anymore? You used to love calling me that. Or you could call me your wife."

Zun Jiu studied his face, staring at the way his eyes avoided hers. Did he not want to look at her? Or did he care about her too?

She pressed him step by step, leaning over him and pulling him into her arms as she slowly drew closer. "Third Prince, aren't you the same? You've been pretending to be a fool and deceiving me all this time. Everyone knew, and I was the only one kept in the dark!"

That made her even angrier!

She had walked away too quickly to see him reach out behind her. When they met again, they were already on opposite sides.

She had thought they would keep entangling themselves like this.

She never expected that she had already fallen into a conspiracy. It was as if someone had put a spell on her: she could not control her actions, and yet she had committed every kind of wrongdoing.

Held tightly in his arms, Zun Jiu had long since gone numb. "Kill me."

"Don't even think about it!" The man before her was no longer the innocent one she had first met. His eyes were full of unwillingness.

But she still died. After her death, her consciousness drifted onto a drop of clear wine, where she learned the whole truth behind the conspiracy.

She was an immortal wine drop tainted by demonic energy. Li Yan was the future Heavenly Lord, and she was his tribulation. In the mortal realm, demonic cultivators had controlled her and made her betray and hurt him. She had never been in control of any of it. It was all their demonic power.

Watching Li Yan fail to overcome his tribulation and return to the heavens, Zun Jiu's eyes filled with hatred!

They thought they could control people's fates and toy with them as they pleased. Did they not know that water can both carry a boat and overturn it?

When the battle between immortals and demons began, Zun Jiu saw that man again. The man stood aloof and high above, his face frosty and his eyes distant. But... had he forgotten her?

Only when she fell into the fire at the earth's core did the man leap down after her!

"Big Sister, don't think you can get away from me again!"

Reader's Guide:

① Contains an obsessive, controlling character, but the story is sweet.

② The characters' values may be questionable. Don't read if that bothers you. The protagonists' values do not represent the author's!

③ The point of view may go wild as the story progresses. Don't read if that bothers you.

④ Please don't offer writing advice. My skills are limited, but if you're willing, come on in!

⑤ Finally, if you're okay with all that, please add it to your favorites!

The protagonist's name comes from the poem: "When shall we meet again, to console our parting with a cup of wine?" From "Seeing Someone Off East" by Wen Tingyun of the Tang Dynasty.

Blurb revised May 9, 2025

Theme: A firm choice, made without hesitation