My Lord Prince, Please Don't Take It Seriously

(The main story is complete. Thank you for being with me.)

Shu Yan was born into servitude and danced at the largest restaurant in the capital.

Li Sihuai was the emperor's younger brother, a noble prince who had been showered with affection all his life.

No one could have imagined that two people from such vastly different worlds, with nothing in common, would ever cross paths.

"The top tipper for Shu Yan this month is the prince again!"

Shu Yan only meant to coax Li Sihuai into handing over some silver and tipping her generously. As for love and romance, she could say whatever came to mind. It was all just playing along, after all. They were both adults. Neither of them would take it seriously.

She never expected the prince not only to hand over the silver, but to believe every word she made up!

"Well... you really don't have to go that far..."

Shu Yan saw that a single day's tips were worth more than what she'd earned in an entire month before, and felt her temples throb...

Everyone thought Li Sihuai, known as the most handsome man in the capital and a man who kept his distance from women, had been bewitched by the little enchantress Shu Yan. His way of winning her favor was crude and direct: throwing money at her, and then throwing even more money at her.

His cousin warned him, "She's been in this business for ten years! It's just professional courtesy! Get a grip!"

Li Sihuai smiled faintly. "You don't understand. This is exactly what she likes."

Compared with women who acted coy or demure, Shu Yan's straightforward way of saying exactly what she thought had struck him right in the heart.

"...Your Highness, I was joking before..." It wasn't until Shu Yan was lying on an expensive golden-thread nanmu bed that she belatedly realized he'd taken every word seriously.

He gently drew open her collar and caressed her cheek. His captivating peach-blossom eyes lowered to meet hers, their depths filled with tender amusement. "Mm, I know."

Bonus scenes:

Du Ying's journal, entry one: Month O, Day X. Sunny. At last, we're back with His Highness from that medicine valley where the food was so bland it could make a bird forget how to sing. Seven years! Seven whole years of chewing grass, and now we can finally eat meat. Prince Yu took His Highness and me to the best restaurant in the capital for a proper feast. Every entertainer there was as beautiful as a heavenly maiden, with lovely faces, sweet voices, graceful dancing, and exquisite music. They even smiled at me. I was over the moon. I want to come back.

Du Ying's journal, entry two: Month O, Day X. Cloudy. His Highness has returned to investigate the truth and take revenge. That assassin nearly crippled him back then. Hmph, not one of them is getting away. Oh, right, after finishing his business, His Highness went to see Miss Shu.

Du Ying's journal, entry three: Month O, Day X. Rainy. His Highness went to see Miss Shu again.

Du Ying's journal, entry four: Month O, Day X. Heavy rain. His Highness went to see Miss Shu again and again.

Du Ying's journal, entry five: Month O, Day X. Torrential rain. His Highness visited Miss Cui during the day and Miss Shu at night. Lord Ma, the Minister from the neighboring residence, secretly gave me a bottle of "power pills," afraid His Highness might not be up to the task... How could I let His Highness find out? I'd better hide them quickly.

Du Ying's journal, entry six: Month O, Day X. Overcast. Your Highness, do you even remember why we came back to the capital? Is Miss Shu really that beautiful? You go to see her every few days. Could she have something to do with the ambush on you all those years ago?

Du Ying's journal, entry seven: Month O, Day X. Sunny. His Highness went to fetch his bride today, but Miss Shu ran away. It was so hot that I broke out in a cold sweat. Thankfully, His Highness didn't lose his temper, and he found Miss Shu that afternoon. But, Your Highness, does Miss Shu really have something to do with what happened back then? Did you marry her so you could keep an eye on her? That's our wise and thorough prince!

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1. The heroine seems gentle, but has a dramatic inner life and a short temper. The hero is warm on the surface, cold underneath, and full of schemes.

2. The setting is fictional, inspired by the Tang dynasty.

3. Revisions may happen from time to time.

4. If you've read this far, lovely readers, please add it to your collection before you go~

5. Bonus chapters are coming.

Theme: Respect and love yourself, stand on your own two feet, and grow stronger.