The Crown Prince's Dead White Moonlight Has Returned

1.

Qiao Ling was the youngest daughter of the Grand Academician, who had lost her more than ten years ago before finally finding her again. He doted on her, but unfortunately, he suddenly fell gravely ill and had little time left.

The rest of the family were like tigers and wolves, eyeing her covetously. With no elder left to stand up for her, the Grand Academician worried about her above all else as he lay dying. He searched the capital for a suitable family, hoping to marry her off with a generous dowry to protect his youngest daughter.

He considered prominent families, members of the imperial clan, and more, but before he could find anyone satisfactory, the Grand Academician passed away.

After his death, the family set their sights on Qiao Ling, a helpless little lamb. Her stepmother, who had long disliked her, planned to marry her off to some distant branch of the family.

Just when Qiao Ling was alone and unable to fight back, the Crown Prince, who had met her only once, came to the house in person and asked her stepmother to hand her over. He said that when the imperial house had been in decline, the Grand Academician had supported it with his kindness. Now that the Grand Academician was gone, it was time for him to repay that debt. Why not let his daughter stay in the Eastern Palace, where he could adopt her as his sworn younger sister? As the heir to the throne, he could surely keep her safe.

The Crown Prince was gentle and refined, peerless in the world, of noble imperial blood, and revered throughout the court.

Her stepmother had no choice but to let the Crown Prince take her away by force.

2.

The Crown Prince saved Qiao Ling from dire straits. Her heart fluttered the moment she first saw him, and she liked him very much, believing him to be noble and kindhearted.

She followed him to the Eastern Palace, grateful to him and eager to get along with him.

The Crown Prince treated her wonderfully, caring for her in every way.

He flew kites with her and made paper kites, built her a waterside pavilion and a jade terrace, and gave her all the world's rarest treasures so she would never have to worry about a thing.

He spoiled her until she was carefree and innocent, more honored than even the imperial princesses.

He was almost too good to her. At night, he would sit by her bed and watch to see if she was sleeping well.

Sometimes she would wake with a start, and he would stroke her face in the dead of night, hiding the madness and possessiveness in his eyes as he said, “As long as A-Ling doesn’t leave, I will protect you for the rest of your life.”

A-Ling was her childhood nickname, but she had a vague sense that his protectiveness was crossing a line. It made her uneasy.

Then she accidentally heard that the Crown Prince had once held a woman dear to his heart, and that the woman looked very much like her. He had treated Qiao Ling so well only because he saw her as a substitute.

Heartbroken, Qiao Ling refused to remain in the dark. She wanted to ask him for the truth and put an end to things.

As it happened, the Crown Prince was away on official business. Qiao Ling accidentally stumbled into a forbidden chamber in the Eastern Palace, where she saw a memorial tablet the Crown Prince had set up for his deceased wife.

3.

Qiao Ling had always thought herself lucky. Even if the Crown Prince treated her as a substitute, she had still enjoyed his favoritism and care.

Until the memories she had forgotten came flooding back: She had secretly admired the Crown Prince for years. The love letters she had written him were exposed to the world, and she was forced to kneel all day by the woman who had once been the Crown Prince’s fiancée. She was humiliated and scorned by everyone, her reputation destroyed. Heartbroken, she was ultimately driven to throw herself into a lake.

Qiao Ling awoke with all her forgotten memories restored. At last, she clearly remembered how it felt to endure the heart-piercing pain of everything she had gone through.

That night, Qiao Ling packed her belongings and fled the Eastern Palace.

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Also known as The Golden Branch of the Eastern Palace

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Synopsis screenshot archived on 2025/08/07

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Theme: Cherish the person in front of you.