Spring's Beauty Deceives the Emperor

A delicate, ailing beauty who speaks in honeyed words but means none of them vs. a cold-hearted prince who doesn't realize how deeply he loves her

The Wen family has a daughter, Wen Ruan, as soft and lovely as jade and flowers, radiant and alluring, with a gentle, obedient nature.

But few know that Wen Ruan suffers from a strange illness. When it flares up, her limbs grow weak, she breaks out in a cold sweat, and she can barely move.

Her stepbrother has noticed something is amiss. He intends to exploit her illness and arrange for her to become intimate with the dissolute heir of the Earl's household in public, using her to curry favor with the powerful.

Wen Ruan refuses.

There are many people in the peach grove behind the temple. In her panic, Wen Ruan struggles to avoid the crowd, but accidentally stumbles into a man's arms.

He has refined features and an air of noble elegance, and the gaze he lowers to her is cold and utterly without warmth.

Wen Ruan tries to pull away, but discovers by chance that when her skin touches his, her illness eases and she regains a little strength.

At first she thinks it must be her imagination. But after several attempts, she discovers that touching his skin really does ease her illness.

Her stepbrother is pressing her hard, and Wen Ruan has nowhere left to turn. Taking advantage of her drunkenness, she hooks an arm over the man's shoulder, rises onto her toes, and plants a light kiss beside his lips, confessing that she has feelings for him.

When she sobers up, Wen Ruan is scarlet with embarrassment. The man sits beside her bed, his gaze calm and indifferent, as if he has no interest in her.

He rolls the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand, then, after a moment, strokes her lips and says pointedly, "In that case, come back to the capital with me."

Only before returning to the capital does Wen Ruan learn that the man beside her is Prince Huan, Shen Ke, of the current dynasty.

Shen Ke is a man of noble bearing, always impeccably proper and restrained. He went south to investigate a case and returned with a beautiful woman.

The woman keeps saying she loves him, but is using him as a remedy for her illness.

On the day the truth is exposed, she curls up in a corner, tears clinging to her lashes, too afraid to defend herself.

Shen Ke lowers his gaze. He grips her small, fair chin and bites her lips, making her repeat the words of affection she once said.

Whether they are lies or not, as long as she keeps deceiving him, he will give her everything he can.

The one thing he will never do is let her leave.

His wife must stay by his side until the end of their lives.

One-on-one romance, both leads' first relationship, sweet romance

Theme: Strive to stay alive