Drunk on a Thousand Lanterns

◢ Married First, Love Later | A Boyhood Crush Comes True | The Parents' Story: Claiming Love

#The wind begins at the tips of duckweed, and waves rise from the faintest ripples

The blood-red sunset blanketed the border town's towers. From a criminal's daughter scraping by to the famed Lady of Lanterns, Qiao Sheng looked down at the enemy forces surrounding the city and suddenly remembered an ordinary snowy night, with its steady candlelight.

The boy had once said solemnly, "Sister, if you ever find yourself in trouble, perhaps you could ask the Duke for help."

She hadn't taken him seriously. "That spoiled duke?"

Later, she faked her death and fled the capital to clear her parents' names. Though she had a skill to offer, she couldn't even rent a shop.

With nowhere else to turn, she carried a lantern to the Duke's mansion and knocked on its door.

Arrows fell like rain as the enemy soldiers hurled themselves at the city gates like madmen.

Amid the chaos of war, Qiao Sheng looked back at the city behind her, a tiny leaf-carved figurine cradled in her hand.

A Ruan, this time, I'll protect you.

*

He was a duke of Great Wei, renowned for his military exploits. In public, he always wore a cloak and mask, hiding both his face and the shameful circumstances of his birth.

According to the rumors, Duke Tang was the most incorrigible playboy in the capital.

He'd laughed off every bit of gossip, until he fled the capital and met the woman who made his heart race.

She'd laughed and said, "That spoiled duke?"

She clearly thought very little of him.

Before he could clear his name, a great fire separated him from the woman he loved, leaving them in different worlds.

The once carefree, spirited young man lost the light in his eyes.

Until one day, a bold young woman arrived with a lantern, saying she had come to discuss business with the duke.

*

On that snowy afternoon, the first clues emerged.

From the moment they met again, the pieces began to move, and the curtain rose.

Caught in a scheme within a scheme, they were both its masterminds and its pawns.

A thousand bright lights, endless splendor.

But you are the only one in my eyes.

Reading Guide:

1. A sweet romance with a touch of mystery, one-on-one pairing, happy ending, both leads' first relationship.

2. Younger man and older woman, no blood relation, one-year age gap. At first, the heroine really does see the hero only as a younger brother, and truly doesn't know who her enemy is.

3. The main plot follows the leads, with a touch of ensemble cast. Plot and romance get equal attention, and the story is a slow burn.

4. The dynasty is entirely fictional, with many original worldbuilding details. Please don't nitpick the history.

5. This is my first story, so please be kind. Friendly discussion in the comments is welcome.

Advance Preview: The Little Palace Maid on Night Duty

[Oblivious little palace maid x proud young noble who talks himself into falling hard]

The Empress was selecting an experienced palace maid for Prince Qin. A Luo, a laundry maid, eagerly signed up for the generous monthly allowance of ten taels of silver.

Only after she was chosen did she learn that an experienced palace maid wasn't a palace maid who helped with digestion. She would rest during the day and report for duty at dusk.

Everyone came to congratulate her. Even the senior palace maid who usually couldn't stand her suddenly tried to curry favor.

But A Luo couldn't bring herself to be happy.

Prince Qin had striking eyes, an elegant neck, and a handsome face. He also had a fine physique. Every young lady in the capital dreamed of becoming his devoted wife and spending her life by his side.

But palace servants whispered that, as the emperor's youngest and most favored son, the prince had grown spoiled and willful. If anything displeased him, someone would suffer for it.

An old matron told them that men like the prince were the most demanding in bed, so they would have to work extra hard.

Half of A Luo's heart sank.

Still, it was her own fault, and no one else was to blame. A Luo silently accepted the situation.

-

The first palace maid assigned to spend the night with the prince didn't return until noon the next day. She was covered in bruises and collapsed straight into bed.

The second returned at daybreak, glowing and in excellent spirits, praising Prince Qin to no end.

The third came back that very night, unable to hide her disappointment. She said it had all been too quick, with no pleasure in it at all.

After watching them day after day, A Luo was baffled. Were they serving the same prince?

On the fourth day, it was her turn.

Parting layer upon layer of curtains, Prince Qin leaned toward her.

Daring not to meet his eyes, she bowed her head and stammered, "Your Highness, are you... hungry?"

To her surprise, Prince Qin was so easygoing that they shared a delicious bowl of noodle soup that night.

Later, Prince Qin stopped sharing food with her. Instead, he gazed at her tenderly and kept urging her, "A Luo, have you eaten enough?"

A Luo, who had covered her sisters' shifts for half a month straight, replied, "N-not yet."

-

Yan Zhou, Prince Qin, fell for a little laundry maid.

After half a year together, he was completely smitten with that bright, sweet girl. He could only hope his mother would soon let him leave the capital to take up his own fief, where no one could control him and they could live happily ever after.

He thought she felt the same way.

But then

The emperor granted a general amnesty and allowed palace servants to request permission to leave. She was the first to sign up.

He chased her all the way to her hometown, only to find her in a low thatched cottage, sitting across from a scholar. The scholar earnestly asked for her hand, and she blushed and nodded.

Worse still, she had dared to use the silver and jewelry he had given her as her dowry!

Male lead's perspective: We love each other.

Female lead's perspective: Work is exhausting. I want to retire.

Theme: Good is rewarded, and evil is punished.