The Moonlight Beneath the Hairpin

My new novel, The Moon Does Not Ask About Feelings, is now available.

Qi Shuyi is the only princess of the Great Qi dynasty. She has been doted on since childhood, and the only person she fears is her tutor, Zhao Huaiyi.

She never expected that, after getting drunk at a palace banquet, she would put on a brave face in front of him and tell him, "I'm not afraid of you."

Later, Zhao Huaiyi's identity as a surviving descendant of the previous dynasty was exposed. His position at court became precarious, and he volunteered to head south to suppress the remnants of the rebels. Qi Shuyi knew that a blood feud between their families stood between them, and that they could never live in peace together.

Who could have guessed that a marriage proposal from the Great Hu would force Qi Shuyi to work with Zhao Huaiyi to secure herself a chance to survive?

"For old times' sake, as teacher and student, help me just this once. Once we're out of the capital, I'll leave on my own."

Zhao Huaiyi agreed.

But after they left the capital, Qi Shuyi found she could never leave him again.

"Your Highness, I told you: once we step through that gate, we can be anything to each other, except teacher and student or ruler and subject."

Zhao Huaiyi had studied the rites of a gentleman and the art of ruling since childhood. The Grand Tutor Zhao warned him every day to watch his words and actions, conduct himself with dignity, and observe proper decorum, so that one day he could ascend the throne in glory.

No one knew that he had long harbored improper desires for the princess of Great Qi.

"That fierce love had taken root back in their youth. But he believed himself too base to dare covet the bright moon.

Yet in Qi Shuyi's heart, he was the bright moon."

Adorable sunshine of a princess * seemingly gentle but truly insecure survivor of the previous dynasty

Cover background image from xhs Jun Mo Mo Mo; typography from Su Fu Suo Yi

* Happy ending, both leads' first times, sweet romance, no blood feud between the leads

My new novel, The Moon Does Not Ask About Feelings

Qin Shuyi is the easiest person in Meng Chenzhou's life. She is always waiting with a towel when he finishes playing basketball, always the first to stand up for him when he argues with someone, and even when she speaks, she does so with careful, ingratiating deference. She is like a vine growing around him.

Meng Chenzhou is used to her giving in, used to her putting him first. Even when his friends tease him, saying, "Qin Shuyi will probably never be able to leave you," he only curls his lips with indifference. "She doesn't have the guts to leave."

Then he sees her on a dating show, smiling sweetly at another man, and Meng Chenzhou finally panics.

Meng Chenzhou knocks on Qin Shuyi's door. "Xiaoyi, I know I was wrong. Please come back."

The door opens. Shang Zhiyu, looking thoroughly satisfied, blocks the view inside. "Mr. Meng, this is my girlfriend."

ˉ

Shang Zhiyu is a top-tier star, famed for his unruly nature and for treating men and women alike with the same icy expression. Yet on the dating show, he is impossibly gentle with a cool, distant woman.

He turns into a devoted husband-in-waiting, keeping spicy food away from Qin Shuyi, remembering that she dislikes cilantro, and always making sure she enjoys the games.

The viewers can't stop squealing over them!

Until one episode asks him, "How many days are left until your anniversary?"

"Today is the 2,970th day I've had a crush on her."

Live comments: ????

You have a face like that and you're telling us you've been secretly in love??!

Message: Do your duty in the position you hold, and be someone who contributes to the country.