I Mistook Someone for a Powerful Aristocrat and Ran for It

The Tan family backed the wrong contender in the struggle for the throne, leaving everyone on edge and afraid the new emperor might decide on a whim to punish them.

Tan Yueying, the young lady of the Tan family, was especially worried.

She couldn't bear to part with her beautiful clothes and vast fortune.

One day, while out for a stroll, she found a man on the verge of death in the snow.

He was strikingly handsome, with a beauty mark beneath his eye. What a pity that the next second he looked up, his eyes brimming with icy hostility. He was handsome, all right, but terrifying too.

Tan Yueying had no intention of inviting trouble, but the more she looked at him, the more familiar he seemed. After making inquiries from every angle, she discovered that he was Lin Shucheng, the young master of the Chancellor's residence.

The new emperor owed his throne entirely to the help of the regent and powerful minister Lin Shuyi, and Lin Shucheng was Lin Shuyi's cousin.

Tan Yueying's eyes lit up. She immediately rented a house in another city, tended to his wounds, and fussed over him day and night. She was determined to shower him with care, hoping that once he recovered, he would become the Tan family's powerful backer.

She watched as he went from being wary of her to showing the faintest hint of affection.

Just as she was feeling rather pleased with herself,

she suddenly learned that she had mistaken him for someone else. Terrified and at a loss, she could only pack her valuables and rush back to the imperial capital, thinking how lucky it was that she hadn't told him she was a young lady of the Tan family.

*

Lin Shuyi wielded immense power. He seemed refined and dignified, but in truth he was cold and ruthless.

When he fell into misfortune and was unexpectedly rescued, he planned to leave some silver behind and be on his way.

Who could have guessed that she would offer him her whole heart, fuss over him every day, and shower him with flowers and gifts?

The ice melted. Lin Shuyi planned to send matchmakers and betrothal gifts, then formally ask for her hand. The young woman said she wanted some osmanthus cakes from Lincheng.

He galloped off to buy them. When he returned, the courtyard was empty, and she was gone.

The osmanthus cakes lay scattered across the ground. Only then did he realize that her heartfelt affection had been a lie.

*

On the day of the Lin family banquet, Lin Shuyi came home for once and met his cousin's fiancee.

She smiled sweetly, then froze when she turned and saw Lin Shuyi, her face awkward.

Lin Shucheng arrived just then, and Lin Shuyi noticed a pouch at his waist.

It was exactly like the token of their love that Tan Yueying had given him months earlier.

Lin Shuyi's face darkened, his eyes seemed frozen over, and Tan Yueying was too frightened to speak.

*

The marriage between the Lin and Tan families went ahead, but not quite as planned, because the younger Tan daughter somehow ended up marrying Lin Shuyi, the Grand Secretary.

Lin Shuyi clasped Tan Yueying's wrist. The corners of his mouth lifted, but there was not the slightest trace of a smile in his eyes. He said coolly, "Who taught Miss Tan to run off after deceiving someone?"

Tan Yueying: QAQ

Green tea and hidden darkness X airheaded beauty

Theme: Think twice before you act.