Charming Those Below

[A longer version of Like the Flower's Shade, very sweet with a little angst, bitter before it gets better]

Everyone in the realm knows that the reason Great Chu, battered by storm and strife, has survived until today is the body of Princess Song Ning.

She is stunning, with bright eyes and pearly teeth, slender arms and a willowy waist. She was born to seduce men.

But serving others with her looks is still despicable, no matter how glamorous it may seem. Everyone is waiting for the day she grows old and loses her beauty.

At last, General Su Mubai tires of her and marries her off to Xie Huaian, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Song Ning is delighted, but she never expected that, to Xie Huaian, her delight would be an insult.

*

Everyone says that Princess Song Ning has gone to such lengths for Great Chu because of the late emperor's instructions.

But only she knows that, when she was young, a boy once told her openly and ardently that he would restore Great Chu.

The sun was shining that day, and he fell into her heart like the warm winter sun.

Reader's guide:

1. Mutual pining, female lead is a virgin and male lead is a virgin, both are strong characters.

2. A resilient, beautiful female lead VS a restrained, scheming, devoted dog-like male lead.

3. Author's note: The heroine is truly beautiful, and everyone loves her. The hero is utterly devoted: from a dashing young man to a powerful general who rules the realm, he loves only her.

Theme: Look ahead in life instead of being trapped in the past.