Offering Delight

[Upcoming novel: Jade Waist Trapped in Snow. Twin brothers, catfights, and a crematorium romance. Blurb at the end. If you're interested, please add it to your reading list~]

Everyone in the capital knew that the young county princess Xiao Jinghua, daughter of Prince Gong, was infatuated with Lu Cheng of the Lu family. That bold and spirited girl became as meek as a harmless rabbit whenever she was around him.

Even after Lu Cheng returned from official duties with another woman, and their scandalous affair spread throughout the capital, a single explanation from him was enough to keep Xiao Jinghua devoted to him, her heart full of sincere affection.

Until one night, that woman, gravely ill in bed, sent Lu Cheng a blood letter. For the first time, Xiao Jinghua saw the usually composed expression on his face turn panicked.

She tearfully ordered Lu Cheng not to leave.

But he coldly replied, "A life is at stake," and turned away without hesitation.

He never once remembered that it was the anniversary of her mother's death.

The light in Xiao Jinghua's eyes shattered.

At last, she understood that the ten years of love she'd given him meant nothing to Lu Cheng.

After her heartbreak and despair, Xiao Jinghua wiped away her tears and came to her senses.

She was the pearl cherished by the entire imperial family, the noble and pampered County Princess Langhua.

A man was just a man. She could toss him aside.

At first, Lu Cheng thought Xiao Jinghua was throwing a fit.

It wasn't until her reputation was tarnished and he came to ask for her hand, only to be turned away, that he realized she truly didn't want him anymore.

Later, the Third Prince of the Northern Yi named County Princess Langhua as the woman he wanted to marry into his family.

Unwilling to send the princess far away, the emperor held a martial arts competition to find her a husband.

Lu Cheng stood on the platform, staring fixedly at her figure as fists rained down on him and pain wracked his body.

He sacrificed half his life to win the chance to marry Xiao Jinghua. But on their wedding night, when he joyfully lifted her veil, he saw a face utterly devoid of warmth.

The breathtaking bride said coldly, "Once this is over, we'll divorce."

Lu Cheng withdrew his hand with a tremble, his voice shaking. "All right."

Xiao Jinghua looked at him in surprise, finally willing to give him a kinder look.

But the naive young princess couldn't see the stubborn resolve raging beneath his long lashes.

Some mistakes are enough to make once.

He would never make the same mistake a second time.

Reading Guide:

1. This story is set in a fictional world, and everything is made up. Please don't nitpick the details.

2. The leads aren't perfect characters. Each has their own flaws.

3. The heroine was doted on by her family and never experienced hardship. She's lovesick at first, but will grow as the story progresses.

4. The male lead won't change. It's a one-on-one romance, and both leads are sexually inexperienced. The male lead only loves the heroine, from beginning to end.

5. The writing is amateurish. No need to tell me if you drop the story.

6. Inline comments are open, with no restrictions.

Upcoming novel: Jade Waist Trapped in Snow

Xu Yanli had admired Sheng Yanshu, heir to the Marquis of Zhenyuan's household, for many years.

When she came of marriageable age, she won her parents' approval and happily married into the marquis's family. Even though her husband was cold toward her, she innocently hoped she could warm his heart.

Instead, Sheng Yanshu returned from official business in the capital with a woman, and rumors of their affair spread everywhere.

Only then did Xu Yanli learn that even the one who seemed like a perfect match could have a love she could never attain.

For that woman, Sheng Yanshu trampled on Xu Yanli's dignity and abandoned her again and again. Xu Yanli fought back and stood her ground, but only got herself hurt. In the end, she was poisoned to death on the day she finally gave up and decided to divorce him and return to her family.

After closing her eyes, Xu Yanli returned to the beginning of her marriage.

She no longer wanted to be a virtuous wife or win Sheng Yanshu's favor. She spent her days eating, drinking, and having fun with friends, free and carefree.

But that cold-hearted man kept appearing before her again and again. He was no longer as indifferent as he had been in her previous life, and seemed genuinely eager to be her husband.

Xu Yanli sneered and asked for a divorce.

Who could have expected the restrained and proper young marquis to tear up the divorce papers with bloodshot eyes, plunging the couple into a cold war?

Just then, Sheng Yanshu's twin brother, who had been missing for years, was found.

Xu Yanli stood outside the hall and watched the man, identical to Sheng Yanshu, look up. Her whole body suddenly went rigid.

His gaze was tangled with love and hate, pain and regret. It was just like the unfaithful man she'd seen in the final moments of her previous life.

Confused and flustered, she suddenly began to doubt everything.

Who was the man who betrayed her in her previous life, her husband?

After his younger twin brother disappeared, Sheng Yanshu abandoned his innocence, held himself to strict standards, and grew into the widely praised, refined young heir to the marquis.

When he came of age to marry, he followed his parents' wishes and wed Xu Yanli, granddaughter of Grand Tutor Xu.

The young lady had been spoiled and pampered since childhood. She was capricious, fond of luxury, and demanded grand displays. Sheng Yanshu disliked her intensely.

But at some point, he found himself unable to look away from his wife's smile. Every gesture, every frown and smile of hers captured his attention.

Remembering how boldly his wife had expressed her affection in the past, Sheng Yanshu assumed they were in love with each other and proposed they consummate their marriage.

To his surprise, Xu Yanli turned on him at once and handed him divorce papers.

Sheng Yanshu couldn't accept it, and was left heartbroken and confused.

That day, when he returned home, he saw his twin brother entangled with his sister-in-law beneath the covered walkway, eyes red as he begged her over and over for forgiveness.

That night, Sheng Yanshu barged into Xu Yanli's bedroom without asking permission. As she stared at him in shock, he touched her slightly swollen red lips, his eyes dark and ominous.

"You want to divorce me for him?"

The usually dignified young heir sneered. "You want to be my brother's wife? Dream on."

Theme: Love requires communication.