Seizing the Phoenix

(The current timeline begins in Chapter 6, so you can start reading there. (*￣︶￣))

The rebels attacked the capital. The emperor abandoned the city and fled, leaving Lan Ting, the wicked consort blamed for the country's ruin, behind in the palace.

Everyone knew that Consort Lan had once been engaged to Pei Fang, the rebel leader. Back then, she had abandoned him to enter the palace.

Pei Fang fought his way into the palace. Lan Ting was about to drink the poisoned wine when a bloodstained sword knocked the golden cup from her hand.

Pei Fang pressed the tip of his sword against Lan Ting's throat and asked, "Are you dying for your country, or for him?"

Lan Ting thrust her neck toward the blade, seeking death. Pei Fang could not pull back in time, and the sword cut her face. She lifted her bloodied face and asked him, "And you? Are you here to take me, or to take the throne?"

Pei Fang sneered. "Take you? You think you're worthy?"

Pei Fang made Lan Ting his palace maid and subjected her to every kind of humiliation.

Not long afterward, Pei Fang took Lan Ting on a hunt. The former emperor, a foolish, cowardly, useless man who had fled long ago, actually stole Lan Ting away from Pei Fang. And Lan Ting was willing to go with him!

Pei Fang panicked, remembering that he had conquered the realm only to win his wife back.

Reading guide: Fictional setting, female lead has no sexual experience; male lead does. Happy ending.

Theme: The world is unpredictable; grow stronger through adversity.