I Started a Fling and Abandoned My Substitute

Forced possession / melodramatic wish-fulfillment

Princess Jiang Heng was without question born to the imperial purple. She could have anything she wanted, and even if she asked for the moon, someone would reach up and pluck it for her.

Her first half of life had been glorious and unfettered. There was only one regret Jiang Heng could never forget: there was someone in her heart, someone she could see and touch, yet she could never say the word "love" about him.

Until one day, with nothing better to do, she went to the arena outside the city to pass the time, where she saw a man fighting a beast across the yellow sands.

A convict slave.

Actually, he was only half as similar to that person.

Jiang Heng lounged in her seat and studied him for a long while. She disliked the sharpness in his eyes, and she disliked his refusal to yield.

But so what?

Half a resemblance was enough to comfort her heart for now.

Jiang Heng rose and pointed on a whim, deciding where Xin Zhiyu would belong.

"This convict slave will come to my Changsheng Hall, starting today."

*

Xin Zhiyu once bore several scars, honors he had won through fighting with blade and spear, risking his life.

Now, tattoos and brands covered the sword wounds all over his body.

Looking at himself in the bronze mirror, Xin Zhiyu lowered his eyes, his fingertips trembling. "I can be the blade in Your Highness's hand, the dog at your feet. Why... do you insist on making me your bedchamber pet?"

The bewitching princess looked surprised, utterly innocent. "Because it's love. You love me, so you should submit to me."

Jiang Heng pierced his earlobe with a silver needle, then hung a turquoise earring there with her own hands.

The once-proud young man bowed deeply, trembling as he kissed her fingertips.

If he loved her, then he would submit to her.

Until one day, a distinguished guest came to pay a visit to Changsheng Hall, and the two men came face to face.

That man resembled him by half, but carried himself with a clear, noble air. With helplessness in his voice, he called her "Ah Heng," said she was foolish, and asked why she kept Xin Zhiyu by her side.

The ever cold-hearted princess smiled all the same. "He's just a plaything. If I don't like him, I won't see him."

Only then did Xin Zhiyu understand: this had never been love. He had willingly made a fool of himself, deceiving his own heart.

*

On the day the capital of Zhou fell, the great general who had seized the enemy banner asked for only one favor: he wanted to take charge of the remnants of the former royal house.

In prison, Jiang Heng heard the news and laughed until she shook. "So he escaped the city. I wondered why I couldn't find him."

The notorious young general grabbed Jiang Heng by the throat, as if he hated her to the core.

Staring at the seven green turquoise earrings on his ears, Jiang Heng spoke with pity. "Xin Zhiyu, you've really become the dog at my feet."

Only a tamed dog, even after being abandoned, would remain where it was, waiting eagerly for its master's return.

Please note before reading:

1. The heroine is not chaste. She has a white moonlight in the early part and a lover midway through. The heroine is not chaste, while the male lead is. The scummy man and wicked woman labels are used neutrally. The heroine's POV is pure wish fulfillment with no angst, while the male lead's POV is an intensely tragic story!

2. The heroine grows over time.

3. If you want to criticize the story, please be gentle. (Bows.)

A preview of my upcoming novel, "Jiang You Qiao Mu"

Pseudo-incest / star-crossed lovers / melodrama

As a child, Jiang Qiao often heard her elder brother talk about the past: towering palace walls, splendid clothes, halls of white jade and pearls shining through the night. As prince and princess, they had once been loved and cherished by all.

Later, Great Zhou was conquered, and they were demoted to commoners. They had nothing but a dilapidated temple and two plain outfits, no money to their names, and had to beg from place to place.

But Jiang Qiao didn't mind. As long as she could stay with her brother, she was happy.

Begging, trading insults... Even when a noblewoman in the capital falsely accused her of stealing, she endured it for her brother's future.

All she wanted was to stay with her brother for the rest of her life.

Until one day, the Chancellor's youngest daughter was betrothed to the Crown Prince.

Jiang Qiao watched her brother spend the entire night in his study. When he came out, he said only one thing: she would take the bride's place.

One of them argued in anger, while the other stayed silent.

Only then did Jiang Qiao understand that she was no different from the gold, silver, books, and paintings. She was merely a tool in her brother's hands to restore the kingdom. Nothing more.

*

Ever since he came of age, Jiang Bai had devoted himself to only one great undertaking: restoring the Zhou dynasty.

For that, he could beg and grovel before his enemies, and he could use innocent people.

After all, he was already a stray dog with no home. He had no use for conscience or honor.

There was only one person he could not disregard: Jiang Qiao, the "younger sister" who had been by his side for so many years.

For her sake, he plotted for a long time, willing to risk ruining all his efforts to put Jiang Qiao on the throne as Crown Princess.

Only then could she survive, whether he succeeded or failed.

But on the day he personally escorted her to the wedding, his outstretched hand met empty air. The girl in crimson walked away without looking back.

It hurt like a knife twisting in his heart.

Jiang Bai knew he was wrong.

*

Years later, the emperor died, and the dynasty changed almost overnight.

A great power stood poised to invade from beyond the borders, while the ministers at court each served their own interests. But the Crown Prince was frail and had long been unable to rise from his bed.

The first time Jiang Bai was summoned to the Eastern Palace, he was already Chancellor, standing above all others.

A full year had passed since he last saw Jiang Qiao.

A dignified, beautiful woman walked toward him one step at a time, then looked up at him. Her eyes were clear, just as they had been before.

She said, "Have you made up your mind? Become my child's tutor. In three years, when he takes the throne, you'll be granted the title of prince."

"This is the last chance I will give you."

The last time, after the two of them had been intimate for a long while, they parted on bad terms after the very same exchange.

Jiang Bai was silent for a long time. At last, he said only two words: "I'm sorry."

For the girl she had once been.

Core message: Cherish the loved ones and dear friends by your side.