First-Rank Sinner

[Noble, dignified, ruthless, unhinged beauty vs. powerful, smiling, dagger-in-his-smile, mad court official]

Childhood sweethearts | Love and hatred intertwined | Two unhinged enemies | The chase-back romance | Mutually tormenting, toxic love

Hua Wuning is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's household, noble and respected. Chao Citi is an illegitimate prince left behind by the late emperor, hidden away and raised in the Duke of Zhenguo's household as Hua Wuning's nominal elder brother.

From childhood, Chao Citi treated Hua Wuning with the utmost respect, serving her as his master, looking after her every need, and never daring to overstep.

Hua Wuning, meanwhile, constantly bullied and put him down, tormenting him for her own amusement in the most appalling ways.

Childhood sweethearts, teasing and playing together, so very happy.

But overnight, Chao Citi became a powerful court official. Leading a squad of Imperial Brocade Guards, he stormed the Duke of Zhenguo's estate and confiscated the entire household on charges of treason!

Hua Wuning watched her childhood companion, Chao Citi, who had once shown her such respect, swagger in front of her. Enraged, she defended the Duke of Zhenguo's household!

But Chao Citi acted completely out of character. Not only did he mock Hua Wuning, he knocked her unconscious and imprisoned her.

"Let me out!"

"That's impossible."

He locked her away in a small courtyard and would not let anyone near her.

They teased and provoked each other from time to time, but Chao Citi never truly laid a hand on Hua Wuning. He would only make her angry, then go to great lengths to soothe her.

Though Hua Wuning was confused, she eventually let her guard down. After secretly plotting, she drugged Chao Citi and escaped his prison with someone else's help, intent on exposing his lies.

When they met again, Chao Citi caught Hua Wuning in a room with someone else.

His face darkening, Chao Citi grabbed Hua Wuning, ready to teach her a lesson. But then he learned that she was pregnant, and the child was the emperor's. He was so enraged that he wanted to beat the bastard out of her on the spot.

But when he saw Hua Wuning crying, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He took her back to his residence, cared for her attentively, and patiently coaxed her into getting rid of the child.

At last, she gave in, but he hadn't expected to be tricked again: Hua Wuning had run off with someone else!

After being fooled over and over, Chao Citi was at his wit's end.

In the end, Hua Wuning sat proudly in the seat of honor, holding the iron chain locked around Chao Citi.

"I forgot to tell you: everything was deliberate, including you."

"Did you ever think that one day you'd end up in my hands?"

"When you imprisoned me, I knew you weren't doing it right. Let me show you what real imprisonment is!"

Here's a preview of the upcoming novel: The Harem's Male Consort Begs for My Mercy

A new beauty had arrived at the palace, except this beauty was a man.

The current emperor had gone incognito and returned with a man to make his consort! The whole court was shocked!

When Yun Zhi heard about it, she smiled calmly. She was the only female official at the current emperor's side, always attending to him. Even the empress had to treat her with deference, so she naturally paid no mind to a lowly male consort.

She had seen the male consort in the imperial gardens. He was stunningly beautiful, utterly bewitching, with snow-white skin, red lips, and pearly teeth. It was no wonder the emperor had brought him into the harem even though he was a man.

She found herself captivated, too.

She had impure thoughts, but he belonged to the emperor, so she held herself back.

Until the emperor sent her to see this male consort who had refused to obey his decree. With tears in his eyes and a plaintive look, he clutched Yun Zhi's clothes, knelt before her, and looked up at her.

"Please... have mercy on me."

Yun Zhi lifted Song Chen's chin and studied his peerless face. The last restraint in her heart snapped.

After a night of passion, Yun Zhi gave Song Chen a quiet warning: "From this moment on, you belong to me. I can protect you, or I can cast you aside. Take care of your body. If you soil it, I won't want you anymore."

Reading Guide

1. The novel is strictly one-on-one, and both leads are virgins. The emperor is just a plot device, so don't worry about him.

2. The male lead did not actually kill the female lead's entire family. There are reasons behind everything. The male lead is devoted to the female lead, and puts her first in all things.

3. The values in this novel reflect only the values within the story. Readers are advised to distinguish between the two.

4. The leads act according to their differing subjective perspectives, and both make mistakes. The supporting characters each pursue their own interests, putting profit first and affection last, always smiling with a knife behind their backs.

5. The female lead loves to put on an act, including pretending and telling outrageous lies. Don't let her fool you!

6. The political intrigue is light. I'm not skilled at writing political plots, so don't expect grand, thrilling, high-stakes scheming. Please forgive any plot holes! (drops to her knees)

7. This is a writing exercise (an attempt at a romance-focused story). Don't nitpick the details; just enjoy the story. If you find it uncomfortable at any point, please don't force yourself to continue. (kisses)

8. I sincerely welcome criticism and suggestions from all readers, and hope you have a good reading experience. (bows ninety degrees)

Theme: I laugh as I raise my blade to the heavens; whether I stay or go, my courage and loyalty shall stand between the mountains of Kunlun.