We Were Young, Our Spring Shirts Thin (Reborn)

Cold-hearted hypocrite x devoted beauty with a strong sense of loyalty

Enemies in one life, lovers in the next.

[The author has been in a poor state of mind lately and has been sick in real life, so updates may be slow. Feel free to wait and read later. I'm sorry to everyone who's been waiting.]

*

Princess Jiang He of Huaili Commandery died.

Only as she lay dying did she learn that she was the leading man's cinnabar mole in a popular romance.

A so-called cinnabar mole is beautiful and hot-tempered, deeply loyal, and doomed to die young.

Just like her: radiant and splendid, raised in luxury, and famous throughout Yanjing for her spoiled, arrogant temper. She went to great lengths to put her pitiful cousin on the throne, only to be rewarded with poisoned wine and a noose.

He forbade anyone from mentioning her, yet whenever he got drunk, he clutched her old clothes.

Jiang He: “That ungrateful wretch can get lost!”

So when she got a second chance at life, she didn't hesitate to shove the ginger soup she'd made for him into the arms of her archenemy instead.

*

Duke Xiang Shan Fuhe was Jiang He's greatest enemy.

Everyone said he was like snow on a heavenly mountain and the moon above a ridge, flawless in bearing and grace, with an impeccable record in both politics and office. Yet Jiang He simply couldn't stand Shan Fuhe.

She hated his cold-blooded disloyalty, his heart of ice, and his appalling harshness. She hated that he put on a false show of gentleness, deference, courtesy, and modesty, while opposing her at every turn from childhood onward.

She could never see through him.

Not in political struggles, not in his character, not in his thoughts, and not even as she lay dying.

Shouldn't he have been the happiest of all when she died?

Why did he wipe the blood from her face, then try in vain to find an antidote? Why did he cover her eyes and repeat over and over:

“Don't be afraid.”

“Don't be afraid... Zhenzhen.”

*

Jiang He couldn't make sense of it, but that didn't stop her from settling old scores.

She gave up supporting her cousin, cut off his unrealistic daydreams, and unilaterally made peace with Shan Fuhe, asking him to become her ally.

Except their alliance went a little too far.

After a banquet, Jiang He tried to break free of his grip, but the hand around her wrist remained firm without squeezing.

Beyond the curtains, her cousin, the former emperor, tearfully begged her to turn back. Inside, when she did turn around, she met another pair of dark eyes.

His breath was hot enough to make her shiver.

“Other than being young, what does he have going for him?”

“Reckless, hot-tempered, foolish... He does nothing to make you look good.”

Warmth spilled against her neck.

It set off a shudder she couldn't suppress.

“Why not consider me, Zhenzhen?”

[Bonus scene]

After the cousin lost all chance of ascending the throne and was thrown in prison, Shan Fuhe once went to see him.

Faced with the young man's furious, hate-filled glare, the older man remained calm.

“You don't have to tell me. I've known for a long time.”

“Your sister is wonderful.”

He spoke at his leisure.

“She's so wonderful that I want her, too.”

Reader's guide:

1. Neither lead is perfect.

2. This is my take on a bickering couple, with flashbacks. It's also my take on mutual healing, with a sweet tone.

3. I'm always revising, so little details may change.

4. The cousin has unrequited feelings for her and is truly crazy. He hurt the heroine for a reason. He gets his comeuppance, but he never wins her back.

5. As always, let the men compete for her and claw at each other. Don't feel sorry for them.

6. More to come if I think of anything.

Two beautiful, strong, tragic little creatures licking each other's wounds.

One-on-one romance, happy ending.

Theme: Someone will always love you.