After the war between the two kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom names Ling Qingyuan, the young son of the Southern Kingdom's regent, to be "married" into the Jin palace as a way of humiliating the defeated enemy.
Prince Yun Mian of Jin is born to wealth and privilege, and already has a betrothal arranged. He knows he only needs to wait a year or so, then quietly have Ling Qingyuan killed.
On their wedding night, before Yun Mian can even open his mouth to put him in his place, Ling Qingyuan, raised to be cherished by everyone in the Regent's palace, pulls off his veil and tugs at Yun Mian's sleeve. "I'm hungry. Could you buy me some peach blossom cakes?"
Yun Mian has seen countless beauties, but he still loses his train of thought and reflexively blurts out, "Sure."
Ling Qingyuan's eyes shift. He lowers his gaze and smiles.
Half a year passes, and Yun Mian can't bring himself to kill this hostage from the enemy kingdom.
A year passes, and Ling Qingyuan is still full of energy.
A few months later, "evidence" that Yun Mian has colluded with the enemy and betrayed his country is placed before the emperor. The little wolf pup who spends every day acting sweet and well-behaved finally shows his true colors for the first time.
Ling Qingyuan toys with an exquisite dagger in his hand, dressed in black and looking down at Yun Mian.
"A Mian, do you like the betrothal gift I gave you?"
Reading Guide:
1. The bottom isn't a good person. The top is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They're equally matched.
2. The bottom has a slight everyone-loves-him vibe. Everyone but the top has a one-sided crush on him.
3. First love for both. Younger top (top is 17 when he appears, bottom is 23).
Theme: Life is hard, so happiness comes first.
