Warhorses Trample the Autumn Begonias

■ A ruthless, ambitious minister who spends every day being chased down and "killed" by Xu Lang x a shrewd strategist who always loses his footing when it comes to matters of the heart

Xu Lang was a gifted strategist, and the world praised him, saying, "If the world were divided into eight parts, one would belong to Xu Lang."

And the other seven? They probably belonged to the dazzling charms in the eyes of that horse slave.

One was a cunning strategist, the other a ruthless minister. They clearly couldn't stand each other. Yet the two of them would argue and fight, then end up tumbling together onto the bed.

"You're just a lowly horse slave. What could you possibly be good at?"

"This humble servant may not be good at much, but I'm quite skilled at tending to pampered young masters."

For a lowly wretch to win Xu Lang's affection was like warhorses trampling autumn begonias: a terrible waste of a rare beauty.

■ Rong Shuwan x Xu Zhengfei

Rong Shuwan couldn't read a single character. The eldest son of the Chancellor's family took him in and made him a horse slave in the household's back courtyard. Then the Crown Prince summoned him to the palace, and he rose to power, becoming a minister feared throughout the land.

One leg was crippled, and his body was covered in scars. He'd long grown used to life's storms, its feuds, its warmth and cold. But he'd never met anyone like Xu Lang.

When Xu Lang investigated treason, a prince with power in his hands caught him. Xu Lang said, "If there's no other way, I'll just give in to him!"

When Xu Lang worked to push through reforms, the wealthy nobles of a prosperous region caught him. Xu Lang said, "If you're going to kill anyone, kill him first!"

Rong Shuwan was so furious he nearly died. "You scholars are always talking about integrity, aren't you?!"

Xu Lang smiled and bowed. "Do I look like the sort of person who clings to outdated principles?"

But one day, the emperor vanished, leaving the court without a leader. Treacherous officials slaughtered the worthy and pressed a sharp blade to Xu Lang's neck.

A thin line of blood appeared, but Xu Lang wasn't afraid to die. Instead, he smiled calmly and said, "Let me raise my cup and set down my brush, and take comfort in the wild spirit of my noble friend. Let me carry a torch against the wind. Why should I fear these petty villains?"

He still looked bright and noble, with a scholar's pride and a brilliance that shone even in a corrupted age. He possessed a noble heart and an unmatched spirit.

The traitor, enraged, brought down his blade

A sudden scream rang out!

After a long moment, Xu Lang wiped the thick, sticky blood from his face and opened his eyes. The ruthless minister whom the traitors had treated as an honored guest was staring at him with a smile. "Tonight, I'll have a drink with you, my lord, to calm your nerves. How does that sound?"

**

A wolf catches a fox, a cat chases a mouse

"You wretch! How can you fight so well with one leg crippled?"

"Having one leg crippled doesn't stop me from serving you, my lord."

"Commander, why is your neck all scratched up?!"

"I was scratched by a rabid wildcat last night."

Both pure | Happy ending | One-to-one romance | Three years older | Love and hate | Author's Weibo: Qianbei Zhuo

■ Upcoming title: Snow Across My Lapels. Taciturn, strong, loyal dog-like rugged man as the pursuer x a powerful, dark, ruthless queen as the pursued

Ten years of open conflict for power, five years of surging undercurrents.

In the struggle for the throne, Seventh Highness made it through unscathed. Even the Crown Prince, who ascended the throne, could do nothing to him.

He couldn't be demoted. The retired emperor who doted on him was still alive.

He couldn't be killed. A hundred and eight assassination attempts had been arranged, and none had succeeded.

So Quan Ye became Prince Chongning. He still wore fine furs and luxurious robes, basked in the emperor's favor, and had a throng of followers. His noble bearing hadn't diminished in the slightest.

He was a man of effortless elegance, with a face as pristine as ice and snow. The world regarded him as a paragon of virtue.

Only Jinjin Xiao Wei Ren Xun, who stood silently by his side like a mountain and a tree, and had taken the brunt of a hundred and eight assassination attempts on his behalf, knew what he was like in private: ruthless, difficult, and impossible to read.

And utterly depraved.

"Smack."

A crisp slap swept through the air with a faint fragrance, leaving five tingling marks.

Ren Xun's eyes darkened.

It didn't hurt, but it made his heart itch.

The prince glanced at him and sneered. "Who gave you the right to make that decision? Who I favor is none of your business."

The silver whip in his hand flashed coldly. His robe, white as snow, filled Ren Xun's vision.

Ren Xun raised his hand, caught the whip, and held it to his chest.

"My prince, why not favor me for a change?"

"I'm good at physical work, and I'm tough. I can take a beating."

You know, all thirty-two of the scars on my body were earned for you.

Theme: Love is fine, but it can't get in the way of my career.