A Note Gone Wrong

Qu Qingli x Song Mingzhu

A woman who disguises herself as a man and is slow to recognize her own feelings x a cool, proud, sharp-tongued but soft-hearted man

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Song Mingzhu and I are bitter rivals at court. We often argue during morning assembly whenever we disagree, but every time, Song Mingzhu ends up red-faced with anger, yet swallows his words out of respect for his upbringing.

*

Everyone at court knows that we grew up together. When we were children and served as companions to the crown prince, he already hated me.

He said I was an uneducated good-for-nothing and an eyesore.

*

Later,

his father wanted to betroth his younger sister, Song Yishu, to me.

Song Yishu was gentle as water and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She was a peerless beauty, someone I could only admire. How could I possibly be worthy of her?

And yet,

under pressure, I began visiting the Song residence every day to cultivate a relationship with her. Who would have guessed that every time I went, Song Mingzhu would drag me away to discuss politics, and I wouldn't get out for half a day?

*

I am a woman, but no one knows.

*

At some point, rumors began circulating through the streets that Song Mingzhu and I were lovers in a forbidden romance between two men.

The story was vivid, heartrending, and shocking to the world.

After reading it, I almost believed it myself.

Who knew Song Mingzhu would see it that same day, too? He was so furious that he vowed to chop the culprit into pieces if he ever found them. After that, he even started avoiding me when we walked.

I suppose he really does hate me.

*

Some time later,

I went to ask Song Yishu to break off our engagement, only to find a sequel to that scandalous story about Song Mingzhu and me on his desk... and the ink was still wet.

☆

Cover art used with permission from K

Theme: Setting the record straight: this isn't a rumor. It's true