When Gu Chang first met Xie Minglou, she was a princess of a defeated nation, standing barefoot on a fine carpet as she danced for the crowd. Her swirling skirt shimmered with color, drawing every eye.
"Truly a beauty capable of bringing ruin to a nation. Such a pity she was born in a weak one."
At those words, Gu Chang's steps faltered. She lost her balance and tumbled to the ground like a butterfly with broken wings, drawing a chorus of laughter from the hall.
Cups clattered to the floor. Amid sighs and jeers, someone walked toward her against the candlelight and held out a hand. With a soft laugh in his voice, he said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, you may use me to get back up."
Gu Chang looked at him and saw the first spring thaw trickling down a snow-capped mountain.
So she accepted. "All right."
Only later did Gu Chang learn that Xie Minglou was no easily plucked branch from a lofty tree, nor was he simply pristine snow atop a towering mountain. He was a vicious tiger stalking the night, and a treacherous official infamous throughout the land.
Countless people waited to see her make a fool of herself, but Gu Chang paid them no mind.
A treacherous minister and a liar: wouldn't they make an even better match?
After all, she wasn't a real princess either. Her fall during the palace banquet had been deliberate.
She'd once had a childhood sweetheart, a young general.
He'd been at that banquet, his back teeth nearly ground to dust.
Years later, power passed to a new emperor, who ascended the throne.
The treacherous minister who had once wielded power over the court died in battle.
At that time, the general who had been her childhood sweetheart stood by the window once more. His youthful voice trembled, but every word was sincere:
"Now that he's dead, if Luoluo doesn't mind, why not marry me instead? I swear I'll keep you safe."
Gu Chang didn't answer. She closed the window, but warmth suddenly enveloped her from behind, and a warm breath brushed her shoulder.
In the darkness, the man who should have been in hell wrapped an arm around her waist and laughed softly.
"Second Miss Gu, you're so loved by everyone. If I'd come back any later, I might not even have been able to claim my place by your side."
"My dear wife, it's been so long. I've missed you terribly."
That day, everyone at the palace banquet praised Gu Chang's dance as breathtaking.
But Xie Minglou could only think that on such a winter's day, the snow outside the hall was falling in great white flakes...
Her feet must be frozen.
So, without a second thought, he stepped forward, put an arm around her waist, and asked with a laugh:
"If Your Highness is feeling unwell, you may use me to get back up."
He knew her intentions were dubious, yet willingly and clear-eyed, he let himself fall.
All she had to do was ask, and he would give her everything.
#A fallen, fake white lotus and fake Western Regions princess × a seemingly pristine, truly scheming powerful court official
#A marriage-before-love romance from the heroine's perspective, and a long-planned pursuit from the hero's
Written on July 22, 2024
Theme: You don't need to keep frowning. I'll take care of everything that's troubling you.
