After a Twist of Fate with My Archrival

The Grand Princess Zhaohua, who was not yet engaged, was diagnosed by the imperial physician as being pregnant.

Zhaohua herself was utterly shocked. "...That's impossible!"

Her younger brother, the emperor, flew into a rage. "Which bastard dared do this to my royal sister?" Then he turned to Chancellor Xie and said, "I leave the investigation to you, my dear minister. Remember, this concerns my sister's reputation. Do not let word get out."

Chancellor Xie: "I obey, Your Majesty."

When the Empress Dowager heard, she was even more furious. She ordered Chancellor Xie, "Once you find the man, castrate him first, then have him executed by a thousand cuts. Use your judgment."

Chancellor Xie: "I obey, Your Majesty."

Day after day passed, but the child's father was nowhere to be found.

People in the palace all said that Chancellor Xie disliked Princess Zhaohua more than anyone, so he probably hadn't taken the matter seriously.

*

Zhaohua and Xie Congnan were well-known enemies in the capital. It began when the late emperor wanted to test Princess Zhaohua's knowledge and gave Xie Congnan an essay she'd worked hard to write, asking him to critique it.

He tore her essay to shreds, saying it was worthless, and claimed that whoever wrote it knew nothing at all.

But he'd clearly seen her writing it the day before.

He'd done it on purpose! Zhaohua hated him so much her teeth ached. After that, she found ways to make trouble for Xie Congnan every few days. Xie Congnan never confronted her openly, but he tripped her up behind the scenes. Whenever they met, they glared at each other coldly. Their relationship grew worse and worse over the years.

Zhaohua wanted nothing more than to eat his flesh and gnaw on his bones!

*

At the autumn banquet, a young gentleman confessed his feelings to Zhaohua. Someone saw what happened, and Chancellor Xie went too far: after exchanging a few words with the young man, he ruined the Grand Princess's marriage prospects.

Everyone thought: Now the feud is really on. This is going to be quite a show.

That night, in the Princess's residence, beneath gauzy curtains and soft bedcovers, Xie Congnan gently kissed Zhaohua's red lips. His gaze dark, he said each word slowly: "How much longer are we going to play this game, Princess? If you dare flirt with anyone else again, I'll go ask His Majesty for your hand."

Reader's guide:

Both leads are virgins; happy ending; the pregnancy is a misunderstanding.

The blurb has been screenshotted and saved.

Theme: Cherish the person by your side.