She and the General

"My novel Springtime in All Its Delicate Beauty is now underway. The second male lead takes the heroine, with forbidden romance. Please add it to your favorites!"

[Alluring, aloof Buddhist maiden × repressed, shamelessly flirtatious great general]

Blurb:

Ruan Qing, the eldest daughter of the chief councilor, was born on Buddha’s birthday. She recited sutras, prayed to Buddha, and handed out porridge to the poor. In the eyes of the common people, she was the kindest of noble ladies, a living bodhisattva.

No one knew that beneath Ruan Qing’s Buddhist maiden persona lay a desire to wipe out the entire court.

“The Ruan family is innocent. It is the world that is guilty.” She smiled gently as she filled a bowl with porridge for a refugee, thinking this to herself.

*

Pei Yiyuan served by the emperor’s side. His family had been loyal for three generations, as they ought to be. With a spear in hand, he had routed the Xiongnu. He was the most devoted supporter of the emperor.

One day, on his return to the capital, he encountered his old friend Ruan Qing and saw the aggression beneath her gentle gaze.

“A traitor. Keep an eye on her.” With that in mind, he clung to Ruan Qing and refused to let go. The two struck a deal to work together, at least in name.

Until...

Before the Empress Dowager’s flower-viewing banquet, sunlight blazed outside while the room was pitch-black.

Angry at Ruan Qing for deceiving him, he pinned her against the door, kissing her again and again until her lipstick was smudged.

Grinding his teeth against her beautiful lips, he asked hoarsely, “What are we to each other, Ruan Qing?”

At that moment, Ruan Qing tugged at his collar, breathing unevenly. She lifted the corner of her eye at him. “Partners, General Pei.”

*

Later, when an envoy from the Xiongnu came to visit, he demanded the right to marry Ruan Qing, the Commandery Princess Hui'an.

Pei Yiyuan clenched his fists and kicked the envoy so hard he broke his ribs. Then he turned to the emperor and said, “Your subject and Miss Ruan are in love. I humbly request permission to reclaim the seven frontier cities, and to seek Miss Ruan’s hand in marriage with my military merits.”

Ruan Qing sat in a corner, sipping tea. Amid the silence around her, she gave a soft laugh. “Very well.”

When the realm was finally at peace, Ruan Qing had schemed her way into the highest position at court. At last, she agreed to marry Pei Yiyuan. Amid ten miles of bridal finery and the capital’s celebrations, Pei Yiyuan held her hand and stubbornly asked, “Ruan Qing, what are we to each other now?”

Ruan Qing curved her lips and kissed him through her veil. “What do you think, General Pei?”

A little scene about the loyal puppy:

Pei Yiyuan (dashing over): Qingqing!

Ruan Qing (icy-faced, slapping him): Get lost.

Pei Yiyuan (looking aggrieved): Does your hand hurt? Want to hit me on this side too?

*The character designs on the cover are used with permission from the artist Tang Shi.

*The story and romance both feature prominently. This is not a single-track romance. The plot moves forward alongside the love story.

Advance blurb:

[Coming next]

[Innocent, sweet, adorable beauty who doesn’t realize she’s flirting × gentle, jade-like crown prince who hides a dark side]

On the first night after Shen Yushu married into Prince Gong’s residence, the man tossed aside the weighing rod and stormed out. “Remember your place.”

Shen Yushu spent the entire night alone. The next morning, she saw Prince Gong strolling with a lovely young woman.

Only then did she realize that Prince Gong already had a childhood sweetheart he loved. She was nothing but a joke forced on him by her family.

The more Shen Yushu thought about it, the angrier she became. Just as she was wondering how to divorce him, she ran into a man while drunk.

He seemed as immaculate as moonlight, as unattainable as clouds and snow atop a mountain.

Shen Yushu’s cheeks flushed red. Partly to get revenge, partly because she was enjoying herself, she took her wine cup and sat beside him. Her slender, pale fingers hooked around the palm-wide jade belt at his waist. Leaning against his shoulder, she laughed softly. “You’re so handsome, Big Brother. Let me buy you a drink.”

That night, she must have been out of her mind. Red candles burned through half the room, and Shen Yushu drifted through waves of pleasure, nearly drowning in them.

-

Later, when Shen Yushu became pregnant, Prince Gong flew into a rage and sent safflower abortifacient to the main chambers by the cartload.

“Get rid of this bastard.” Prince Gong held the medicine bowl to Shen Yushu’s lips, his eyes bloodshot. “I’ve ordered a full search for the adulterer. I’ll have him cut to pieces.”

Just then, the Crown Prince, rumored to be as immaculate as moonlight, pushed open the door. Seeing Shen Yushu’s reddened eyes, he bent down to wipe away her tears, then turned and asked nonchalantly, “Which person is my younger brother planning to kill?”

Theme: Believe in yourself