Marrying an Official (Zhuwai Shuhua)

The scheming, devoted head eunuch x the spoiled, adorable young lady

x childhood sweethearts, raised together.

Duan Shuhua, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the Privy Council's chief official, had arched brows and a delicate face, and was as gorgeous as a peony. Alas, she was so spoiled that she looked down on everyone, yet there was one person whose name she loved to call.

"Zhuzi, I want a basket woven from periwinkle."

"Zhuzi, I like pear-blossom hairpins."

"Zhuzi, my butterfly kite is missing. I want a new one."

Zhuzi always replied obediently, "All right."

She smiled sweetly, thinking Zhuzi was so well-behaved.

Until the emperor arranged her marriage. Unable to resist, Shuhua wept and said, "Zhuzi, you have to come with me."

Zhuzi froze. For the first time, he fell silent.

The future Crown Princess was brought into the palace. Everyone said she was willful and spoiled, and that she ignored the Crown Prince. She wept alone, crying, "Zhuzi, where did Zhuzi go?"

From then on, she was miserable and shut herself away.

But three years later, at a victory banquet celebrating a great triumph over the foreign tribes, she saw a Jinwu Guard General in brilliant qilin armor, his bearing bold and dashing, and her face went pale.

"Zhu, "

"My name is Duan Qianzhu."

For three years, he had weathered the yellow sands and swept away the smoke of war. He had done it all for this day, so he would no longer be a lowly slave, powerless to do anything when the person dearest to his heart was taken away. Now he could speak his own name with dignity.

"Crown Princess, if you have a wish, I will do everything in my power to fulfill it."

He looked at her, as gentle as ever.

Shuhua clenched her teeth. "Take me, with you."

Content warning: None. I refuse to believe a sweet little story needs any warnings.

Theme: Love life and build a harmonious society together.