Swallows South of the Yangtze, Snow North of the River

At the Thousand Autumns Festival, the young Imperial Uncle Xie Yan saw a beautiful young Daoist nun, whose lovely appearance set her apart from everyone else. From then on, he tossed and turned at night.

Her father had spent years alone guarding Jinyang before the Xiongnu killed him. She herself had been a fugitive for three years before she was rescued and brought back to Jiankang. The emperor rewarded loyal ministers and righteous heroes by granting her the title of Lady Yicheng.

It was said that she had once declared, "I will not marry until the north has been reclaimed and my blood feud avenged."

The realm had fallen apart, and the north was entirely in enemy hands. The emperor's position was still precarious, and he depended on the great clans. Who would dare speak lightly of a northern campaign? Yet the young Imperial Uncle was stubborn. This refined young nobleman took up arms and vowed to fight north.

He knew full well that he wasn't the only one who wanted to avenge her. Entangled in so much love and hatred, she was a moonlight no one could hold.

At last, forces from every side gathered on the banks of the Luo River. One look confirmed it: they had all loved her. Yet though so many wanted to avenge her, she was unwilling to rely on any of them.

The basic interpretation: a battlefield of four men competing for her. The deeper interpretation: a woman's obsession amid a chaotic era. The ultimate interpretation: men only slow you down when you're drawing your blade.

1. This is a fictionalized Wei-Jin setting. The heroine is not a virgin. Please don't read if that bothers you.

2. This is a traditional historical romance. Some characters may have real-life inspirations, but there's no need to match them to anyone.

3. The heroine is the sole protagonist: ambitious, cold on the outside and warm on the inside, with a strong sense of duty, but not a perfect personality.

4. There are several romantic pairings. Stick with your own favorite couple, and don't waver!

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[Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, a rough-hewn hero X a scheming beauty who is skilled at slander and jealousy] [A fictionalized Five Dynasties setting, with no real-life inspirations]

After Li Xuanji, military governor of Hedong, returned from destroying Northern Yan, four women were added to his household.

They were gifts from the Empress Dowager, impossible to refuse. He planned to have them stay with the Old Madam for the time being and find an excuse to send them away later. But one of them gave him no end of trouble.

She hid her greed behind her sleeves, loved money and profit, was willful and arrogant, and wore every emotion on her face... Li Xuanji had never known that a beauty's seduction could be so clumsy and completely without method.

He could command a thousand armies, but he was utterly helpless against her.

After a long struggle, just as he began to fall for her, she betrayed him and disappeared without a trace...

Just you wait. If he caught her, he would tear her apart, skin and all. He swore he would rip her out of his very bones and blood, and put his life back the way it was.

Who could have guessed that she would walk right back into his trap?

"My lord, I was wrong. Will you forgive me?" The same old trick, not an ounce of originality. Yet his heart went soft, and he couldn't bring himself to resent her in the slightest.

Li Xuanji finally understood: since ancient times, sages have loved bewitching women. It was fate.

I'm never any good at writing these blurbs, so please bear with me. I'm used to writing grand settings and love and hate amid chaotic times, but this time I'm going to try a sweet little romance. Old and new readers, add it to your favorites!

Content warnings:

1. Both leads are virgins, with an older male lead and an antagonistic relationship. Please don't read if that's not your thing.

2. The heroine is not what she seems. She loves money and profit, and she's a skilled liar. If she's not your type, feel free to move on.

3. Set in a fictionalized late Tang and Five Dynasties era, but some forms of address are anachronistic. Readers who care about historical accuracy, beware.

4. There are no real-life historical inspirations. Don't try to match the characters to anyone!

5. This is a purely historical romance with no golden finger. The heroine starts out as a concubine, but she's forced into the role and won't remain one for long! (Important!!!)

Theme: With the land in ruins, how can we speak of love? We will stand side by side and face the fate of the realm together