Fallen into the Mortal World

My new novel, "Spring Comes Late," is now underway!

Jiang Yuwei is merely the daughter of a low-ranking seventh-grade official in Lizhou Prefecture. Her father, Jiang, has always ignored her, leaving her to suffer her stepmother's bullying. Life at home is truly difficult for her.

Luckily, she is about to marry Wen Zeqian and will soon be able to leave.

The Wen family is poor, but Wen Zeqian is ambitious. He passed the provincial examination at a young age, and he treats her well. She believes that as long as they work together, they can build a good life.

A month before the wedding, she visits her aunt at the He family residence, as custom dictates. There, she happens to meet Lu Ji, the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

They part in a hurry in the garden. She gives the encounter no further thought and leaves with her maid. But halfway home, someone from the He family suddenly comes for her and tricks her into returning. That very night, they send her to Lu Ji's residence.

Lu Ji appears to be a gentle young gentleman, but in truth he is possessive and ruthless, and certainly no suitable match. Jiang Yuwei refuses to stay by his side, but each time she tries to escape, he catches her and brings her back.

After her second failed escape, Lu Ji's eyes inexplicably redden. He pins her in a corner and demands, "Are you really so unwilling to stay by my side?"

Jiang Yuwei: "Yes!"

His voice trembles with fury. "Because of Wen Zeqian?"

Jiang Yuwei meets his gaze and answers firmly, "Yes!!!"

Important: Forced romance, with the flavor of old-school melodrama.

Preorder synopsis:

Cui Lingyi and Shen Ke's paths first crossed because of an accident. That day, her husband, Shen Xu, once again beat her. In a desperate moment, she struck Shen Xu on the head with a vase, and he never woke up again.

When she came to her senses, she dealt with the body under cover of night in order to survive. Unexpectedly, Shen Ke caught her in the act! Cui Lingyi was utterly despairing, thinking that she might as well give her life to the Shen family.

To her surprise, Shen Ke looked at her and smiled. His voice was chilling as he said, "Sister-in-law, how about making a deal with me?"

Shen Ke was a concubine-born son of the Shen family. His birth mother, Concubine Qin, had been a courtesan, renowned for her beauty and considered the most beautiful woman in the capital. Shen Ke resembled her by more than half, and was handsome in his own right.

But Concubine Qin had already been pregnant when she entered the household. For years, the servants had spread rumors that Shen Ke was not truly a member of the Shen family. Shen's father despised him, and his life in the household was even harder than Cui Lingyi's.

Cui Lingyi agreed to his deal. She not only helped Shen Ke be registered under his principal mother's name, but also helped him place first in the palace examination and make a name for himself. Over the years they spent together, she gradually fell for him...

Cui Lingyi knew her place and did not dare hope Shen Ke would marry her. She only wanted things to stay as they were.

Then one afternoon, Shen Ke suddenly asked, "Shall we get married?"

Cui Lingyi was overjoyed, believing that after all her suffering, she and Shen Ke would finally be together.

But she didn't know that what had happened that night years ago had been a carefully planned scheme by Shen Ke. Even Shen Xu's decision to abandon her on their wedding night and go out seeking pleasure had been Shen Ke's doing. He had wanted to use her to get rid of Shen Xu.

When the truth came out, Cui Lingyi could barely stand. She leaned against the wall and laughed bitterly.

Shen Ke panicked at once. "A Shan, listen to me. It's not what you think."

If it wasn't what she thought, then what was it? She could only blame herself for once again failing to see a person's true nature!

Theme: Trace the river upstream in a light boat