Returning to Spring (Rekindled Love)

#Rekindled Romance

#Tension and Unspoken Longing

#Bittersweet Romance

On the day of the Winter Solstice, at a banquet in the Prince of Huaian's residence, Zhong Ling and her sworn enemy Wang Xian caused such a commotion that the place descended into chaos. In the end, Zhong Ling even tore out a lock of Wang Xian's hair.

The guests enjoyed the spectacle, and the story spread like wildfire around town.

After that day, for the sake of her elder sister's reputation and to get some peace and quiet, Zhong Ling moved alone into a country estate outside the city.

Princess Jinyang died of illness. Shen Zhuo, her stepson, traveled a thousand miles back from the frontier to mourn her.

To avoid running into the Marquis of Wuyang, Shen Zhuo chose one of his mother's dowry estates as his temporary home in the capital.

/

They meet on a snowy night, and both freeze in surprise.

A moment later, Shen Zhuo smiles faintly and salutes her, his voice cold and distant. "Second Miss, it's been a while."

After he leaves that night, Zhong Ling sits in silence for a long time.

Only then does she realize, too late, that even her fingertips are throbbing with fine, sharp pain.

/

Three years ago, because of something she said, Shen Zhuo left the capital and headed north.

Since then, they have gone their separate ways, with no word from him.

When they meet again three years later, Zhong Ling does her best to suppress her resentment, but all her efforts are in vain.

Until one night, in a deserted alley.

He listens to every word of her rambling, prideful drunken chatter.

That same night, beneath the bright moonlight, Shen Zhuo looks at her drunken eyes and slowly bends down on one knee.

His lashes lower, a faint smile on his lips. He looks just like the boy he once was, his voice gentle and helpless. "A Ling, after all these years, why are you still so impatient with me?"

/

Three years ago, Shen Zhuo was a notorious young hell-raiser and playboy in Dongdu.

The Marquis of Wuyang would chase him from the east of the city to the west every few days, waving that long spear. Even the beggars in town could stop to laugh at him.

But seventeen-year-old Shen Zhuo didn't care.

Only Zhong Ling's words mattered to him. He took every single one to heart.

Including the word "regret" she said three years ago.

#One-on-one, both virgins, mutual devotion

#Blurb dated 2023.10.11

Theme: My heart is already yours as I cross rivers and pierce the clouds.