A Story About a Scumbag Playboy

[Main Story, Female Lead's POV]

The Playboy

Prince An Xiao Jingce, handsome as jade, rides through Chang'an in fine clothes, surrounded by lovely companions. He's always been the center of attention, and all he wants is to live freely and peacefully in the years ahead.

But he absolutely refuses to spend dull days in the imperial palace with that dull, taciturn woman.

Lin Zhijin was chosen by the Emperor and Empress. She was raised by the Empress from childhood and brought up to be his wife. She's a marriage forced upon him, and he doesn't like her. She's timid and reserved, cries at the slightest thing, and is always nagging him and trying to keep him in line.

He hates this sort of life. The woman he likes should be lively and interesting, or stunningly beautiful. But Lin Zhijin is stuffy and plain, like tofu with scallions.

He wants to break off the engagement, but that woman may be mild-mannered, yet she's surprisingly bold, joining the Emperor and Empress in pressuring him to marry her. He decides to make things difficult for her, so she'll give up.

He tells others, "That woman likes me and wants me. It's nothing but wishful thinking."

He says she's boring.

He carouses outside and sneers at the bamboo flute she carved herself, engraved with the character Ce from his name.

Lin Zhijin simply picks up the flute, smiles, and carries on being a virtuous wife, keeping everything in perfect order.

Xiao Jingce thinks Lin Zhijin is madly in love with him.

The following year, rebels invade the capital, and the spoiled young nobleman of old becomes a dog beneath their feet.

From then on, Xiao Jingce changes. He grows composed and stops smiling.

When he wakes after being unconscious, he sees Lin Zhijin, who has cared for him all night and collapsed from exhaustion beside him. His heart softens, and he vows to give her a good life.

Heaven rewards the persistent. After enduring countless hardships and climbing his way up, he becomes a capable emperor, admired by all for his diligence and love for his people. Now he can cherish Lin Zhijin and give her the finest things in the world.

On the eve of her coronation as empress, the third anniversary of their wedding, Xiao Jingce brings her a love knot he made by hand, wanting to tell her:

He will give her the grandest wedding in the world. He loves her, and wants to spend their lives together in harmony, never to part even in old age.

But the woman he loves is already gone. All that remains is a letter: Back then, circumstances left me no choice. Now I'm setting you free.

The playboy no longer seeks a carefree life. He wants only her.

Xiao Jingce searches the entire capital and all of Qi, but can't find the woman he loves. Through countless days and nights, longing drives him to the brink of madness. The time Lin Zhijin is gone is the most painful period of his life.

When he sees her again, it's in Jiangnan. A woman stands beside his uncle, smiling so happily.

He's heard that the two of them will marry soon, but A Jin is his wife.

On the eve of Lin Zhijin's wedding,

a man kneels at her feet, begging for her mercy.

"A Jin, please don't leave me, okay?"

She shakes her head with a bitter smile. "Actually, the character on the bamboo flute that year was Ce, from Prince Ce's name."

During all those years when Xiao Jingce was a playboy, she, too, loved another man.

Uncle and nephew, so alike.

The main story is told from the female lead's perspective.

Theme: Love life, and never give up.