[The fun-loving young princess x the decisive, ruthless prince from another family] [Marriage Before Love]
Zhu Shiliu, the young princess of the Southwest Prince's household, believed neither in Buddhism nor Taoism. She believed in just one thing: Life is short, so enjoy it while you can.
That is, until the night she accepted the imperial decree ordering her marriage. She dreamed that she died fifteen times trying to marry Yan Yi, Prince Jing.
For the first time, Zhu Shiliu thought her father's advice made sense: Peach-blossom wine is best enjoyed in moderation.
Look at her. Still so young, and she'd already drunk herself silly.
Three months later, she was still safe and sound, married to Prince Jing as his consort. Nothing from the dream had come to pass.
Zhu Shiliu had barely let out half a sigh of relief when worry seized her again.
Everyone said the young prince from another family was born under an ill-starred sign.
Though he was devastatingly handsome, he killed without mercy and was impossible to get along with.
All Zhu Shiliu could do was repeatedly ask herself: How do I stay alive after we marry? Where can I hide my playing cards? When will I get to sneak a drink?
*
When Yan Yi first met the young princess of the Southwest Prince's household, he had just helped the young emperor eliminate a political rival.
In a good mood, he patiently listened as the drunken girl in the peach grove explained how she'd turned into a peach blossom spirit.
At the time, he thought she was a little foolish for a princess.
He knew that marriages for powerful ministers were just bargaining chips. Marrying someone by imperial decree was no different from adding another vase to his residence.
He didn't mind, but he wouldn't take it to heart, either.
When he next saw Zhu Shiliu as his wife, she had become quiet and reserved, and often avoided him.
That suited him just fine. It saved him a lot of trouble.
Until one day, he was carrying an assassin away to the back hills to dispose of the body for good,
when he came face-to-face with his delicate, meek wife, who always kept her eyes lowered.
In her arms was an enormous wine jar, already empty.
So all that gloom, fear, and timidity
had been nothing but a peach blossom spirit's lies.
Notes:
1. The main story begins on their wedding day. The fifteen deaths are explained through flashbacks.
2. There is very little political intrigue or mystery. The multiple rebirths mainly tell the protagonists' life stories. At heart, this is a light, sweet romance.
3. Plenty of creative liberties, but guaranteed sweetness.
4. One-on-one romance, happy ending, both leads' first relationship.
Theme: Life is short. Save it for the people and things worth cherishing.
