She Sits Alone on the High Dais

Shen Que, head of the Flying Swallow Bureau, has a bewitching face and a venomous heart. Ruthless in her methods and heedless of ethics and convention, she is the emperor's most unhinged lapdog.

When the two nations agree to a ceasefire, a ridiculous marriage contract is drawn up.

The lapdog is married off to a cripple.

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Shen Que suspects her crippled husband, who's traveled from far away, will die on their wedding night.

At the time, she's away slaughtering an entire household, leaving the Flying Swallow Bureau without a leader as enemies launch a nighttime attack.

But the next day...

The young man, in a white robe and jade crown, has a refined, striking appearance and a face as beautiful as Guanyin's, though he is unmistakably male.

He looks like a spotless White Jade Bodhisattva.

His first words are, "My lady, we should consummate our marriage."

The young man's voice rings like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

His words are startling, yet his eyes are misty and his expression innocent.

If there weren't a grisly pile of severed limbs behind Jun Ci,

Shen Que might truly believe he was gentle and kind.

-

Jun Ci was born with crippled legs, into a lowly family, and with a cold nature.

On the eve of their wedding, he caught a distant glimpse of Shen Que outside the city.

Her brows were sharp as blades, and she seemed cold and solitary, deciding life and death with a laugh.

A heaven-blessed prodigy, just as the rumors said.

He feigned warmth and entered the game, showering her with tenderness day and night.

Jun Ci wanted to bring Shen Que down from her lofty position,

so they could stand together at the bottom of the cliff and fall into eternal ruin.

Later...

"If there truly are gods in this world, let the thunder strike me."

"Just don't let my A Que become tainted by the mortal world."

She belongs on that high platform, looking down upon all living things.

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[Bonus scene]

Jun Ci has three great virtues.

"Optimistic"

A Que didn't come home last night, so she must be dead. She definitely didn't go off with another lover.

"Kindhearted"

That person smiled at A Que? Looks like he's lived long enough. I'll send him on his way, hehe.

"Independent"

My father doesn't love me, and my mother doesn't care about me. If A Que won't sleep with me, I'll take my own life.

The world kisses Jun Ci with pain, so he goes completely mad and kills anyone who comes after him.

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Roguish, badass viper beauty vs. mad, teary-eyed, love-addled crybaby

[Notes and content warnings]

1. Ensemble cast with a plot-focused narrative, and too many side couples to count.

2. The heroine is imperfect and will grow as the story progresses.

3. The male lead is a pampered, self-deluded crybaby who is both crazy and prone to tears.

4. The author loves women: zero rivalry between women, two hundred percent rivalry between men.

5. Younger man and older woman: the heroine is one year older, and the male lead's legs will recover.

(Mainly, I just want to write the male lead sobbing and calling her big sister~)

6. Marriage before love, going mad for love, faking one's death, the heroine loses her memory, and the male lead frantically pursues her.

Note: Before the male lead's legs recover, he plays a relatively minor role in the plot.

[This story has 100% anti-piracy protection, with a forty-eight-hour delay. Please support the official release.]

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[Please follow my completed novel, Shared Eunuchs]

Next up: After Kidnapping the Delicate Noblewoman

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Delicate, frail, black-lotus legitimate daughter vs. ruthless, sharp-tongued, scheming young nobleman

_

Xie Wuming is a swordsmanship genius rarely seen in a century.

Gentle and refined as jade, even looking at him feels like an offense.

But he has the heart of a vengeful ghost and a mischievous nature.

Shen Zhichun is the daughter of a treacherous minister, hated by everyone.

She is graceful and captivating, her every glance radiant.

Unfortunately, she is frail and not long for this world.

_

They say a treasure is hidden in the treacherous minister's study, and whoever gets it will rule the world.

Xie Wuming is interested too.

One day, Shen Zhichun opens the door after bathing.

There stands a young man with bright, starry eyes and a face like carved jade.

He stands with his hands behind his back, a river of blood at his feet, yet wears a brazen smile.

He bends toward her, his voice warm and gentle:

"Miss Shen, how about being my hostage for a bit?"

_

Before meeting Xie Wuming, people merely said Shen Zhichun wouldn't live long.

After meeting the man, she felt she really wouldn't live much longer.

The main reason:

When she was kidnapped, her father was a thousand li away, and he always carried the treasure with him.

Shen Zhichun was forced to accompany Xie Wuming on his search for her father.

The man had enemies everywhere, and she got caught in the crossfire.

When Shen Zhichun was on the verge of losing her life,

Xie Wuming folded his arms, wore a carefree smile, and teased,

"Ask me to save you."

-

Xie Wuming had assumed

that this frail, sickly girl would be easy to control.

But he soon discovered that she was small, yet incredibly demanding.

She only drank from silver cups,

insisted on six dishes and a soup with every meal,

and even had to consult the fortune calendar before going for a walk.

Later, Shen Zhichun saved him.

She imitated his usual manner, driving a long sword into their enemy,

gouging out his eyes, draining his blood, and severing his limbs.

Xie Wuming stared, stunned. This wasn't some delicate, frail invalid.

She was a black-sesame-filled tangyuan!

Theme: Those in positions of power should fulfill their responsibilities.