The Princess Wants a Divorce

[My upcoming stories next door, Delirious Longing and His Majesty's Little Lucky Star, are open for preorders. If you're interested, please add them to your favorites.]

--- Story blurb ---

Yu Zhen was stunningly beautiful, a woman of unparalleled allure, and the only princess of Nanzhou.

Nanzhou was weak and had no choice but to send its princess to marry into the state of Ling in order to protect itself.

The emperor of Ling was a decrepit old man nearing fifty.

As Yu Zhen met the emperor's gaze, brimming with interest, her heart trembled.

She didn't want to marry the emperor.

Yu Zhen was gentle by nature. To stay alive, she sought out the crown prince of Ling, Shen Changxuan.

Shen Changxuan was handsome and talented in both letters and arms. On the surface, he was warm and gentle, treating everyone kindly.

Yu Zhen had always thought the crown prince was gentle and easy to talk to.

It wasn't until she handed him divorce papers that she realized she had been wrong all along.

In the dead of night, candlelight flickered.

Someone lifted Yu Zhen's chin with a finger. The candlelight illuminated her face as tears trembled in her eyes and a soft moan escaped her lips.

"Your Highness."

The man's smile never reached his eyes. "Now that the princess is my wife, where do you think you can run?"

Yu Zhen couldn't stop trembling. She had been the prey, and she had willingly stepped into the trap he had carefully laid.

Yu Zhen had always thought she was the one who had sought out the crown prince for help.

She never knew that the moment Shen Changxuan saw her at the banquet, he had already wanted to possess her.

So delicate and beautiful, she deserved to be kept in the palm of his hand, living in a golden cage he had built for her himself.

A princess sent to marry an enemy state × the enemy state's crown prince

------Upcoming story: His Majesty's Little Lucky Star

Xie Jiaoyun was breathtakingly beautiful, the only daughter of Grand Tutor Xie, and his most treasured possession.

She had been raised to be sweet and quiet, and rarely appeared in public. Seeing how adorable his daughter was, Grand Tutor Xie had the courtyard walls raised by another three feet. At last, he nodded with satisfaction.

No one knew that the always quiet Xie Jiaoyun had a little secret she had never told anyone: her wishes always came true.

For example, when she was little, she once wished for hibiscus cakes. The next evening, she found a packet of them. Another time, she wanted to fly a kite in spring, but her mother wouldn't let her because she was unwell. The next day, she found a kite by her window.

Xie Jiaoyun was thrilled. After trying several more times, she finally confirmed that she had a special ability.

*

Jiang Yu was the current emperor. He had ascended the throne at a young age, yet ever since he was a child, he had inexplicably dreamed of a girl.

He thought he must be losing his mind. He sought treatment from countless imperial physicians, but nothing helped.

That day, he dreamed of the little girl again. Jiang Yu walked over, only to hear her murmuring, "I really want some hibiscus cakes..."

Jiang Yu's lips twitched, but then the girl turned around and asked, "Big brother, do you have any hibiscus cakes?"

Almost without thinking, Jiang Yu replied, "I do."

After that, Jiang Yu never dreamed of the little girl again, but he could always hear her thoughts.

"It's so sunny today. I really want to fly a kite."

"The candied hawthorns in the eastern part of the city are so good. I want another one."

Jiang Yu smiled and granted her wishes.

Until one day, he heard the girl say, "I really want a perfect husband!"

Jiang Yu rode at full speed to Grand Tutor Xie's residence.

Looking at the handsome young man who had appeared out of nowhere, Xie Jiaoyun exclaimed in delight, "There really is a perfect husband!"

*

Everyone in the capital said Grand Tutor Xie was blessed: his only daughter had become the empress. It was a glorious honor for the family.

Only Grand Tutor Xie sat at home, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes. "I wonder if my Yun'er is being bullied in the palace. His Majesty is so strict. Yun'er must be having a hard time."

Inside the imperial palace, Jiang Yu helplessly kissed the tears that weren't actually at the corners of her eyes.

"Be good. How about waiting a few days before you have more ice cream?"

Xie Jiaoyun propped herself up on one arm and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, you promised me... You said that once we were married, I'd get to eat all the delicious things I wanted!"

Jiang Yu sighed and lowered his head to cover her lips with his. For a moment, not another sound came from the hall.

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