After the Snow Clears, Changning

[Heroine with Someone in Her Heart] x [Hero Who Takes What He Wants]

Xue Ji had lived in seclusion in the mountains since childhood. On her first trip down the mountain, her beauty attracted pursuers. At the last possible moment, a masked killing machine charged in on horseback, his blade leaving a spray of blood in its wake.

Fear pierced Xue Ji's heart, and she trembled.

The man glanced at her, turned his horse around, and galloped away.

Xue Ji remembered only his cold eyes. She thought that after this chance encounter, she would never see the benefactor she could not repay again.

Later, her family was destroyed and her loved ones scattered. Under her sworn brother's protection, she traveled to Xirong. There she met the infamous "Killing Machine," the Third Prince of Northern Qi, Qi Chang Ning, and learned who her benefactor was.

Grateful, Xue Ji did what little she could to help the Third Prince. She thought that after their brief acquaintance, she and Qi Chang Ning would go their separate ways and never meet again.

But her sworn brother entered the service of the Third Prince of Northern Qi, and Xue Ji moved into Qi Chang Ning's residence.

In the quiet of early morning, several fluffy little birds flapped helplessly in the pond, drowning. Xue Ji stepped into the water, gathered them in the hem of her skirt, and slipped as she was returning to shore.

Qi Chang Ning rushed over and caught her.

Her thin summer clothes clung to her, soaked through. Blushing furiously, Xue Ji composed herself and bowed to Qi Chang Ning beneath the dark blue sky. "I didn't know Your Highness was here. Please forgive my discourtesy." She turned to leave.

"These birds have been in the water too long. If we don't dry them quickly, they may not survive." Qi Chang Ning blurted out, "I'll help you save them."

Qi Chang Ning began spending noticeably more time at the residence, and the two kept running into each other.

Xue Ji thought Qi Chang Ning was looking after her because he valued her sworn brother. Though uncomfortable, she did not dare say so, and nervously kept him company each time.

It was not until Qi Chang Ning told her, "Xue Ji, I think of you every moment. I hope you'll stay in Qi Du, by my side," that she realized it was too late to turn back.

Xue Ji had long been in love with her sworn brother, and she thought she could find peace if she escaped to the Southern Dynasty.

On her wedding day, a secret letter from the new emperor of Northern Qi arrived in the Southern Dynasty: Either the Southern Dynasty would grant Xue Ji the title of princess and send her to Northern Qi in a political marriage, or Qi Chang Ning would lead an army himself to claim her as his bride.

There was no escape for Xue Ji.

Additional Notes:

1. A slow burn. The early part focuses on showing that the heroine is adored by many and worthy of love, while laying the groundwork for why the hero, a ruthless man devoted to his ambitions, must have her. The further you read, the more melodramatic it gets.

2. The heroine was once married to the second male lead. He was always a good man, but fate had other plans. After that relationship ends, she begins another one, with a happy ending.

3. The hero has a harem and fulfills his imperial duty to have heirs.

4. An imaginary world, with especially imaginary politics. Please don't take it too seriously.

Blurb for the new novel, A Hero Marries a Sweetheart

[Bright and Charming Heroine] x [Quiet and Straightforward Hero]

Zhen Bao Zhu is the pampered only daughter of a wealthy family, bright and charming, with a clear idea of what she wants in a partner: handsome, wealthy, promising, and good at reading a room.

Chen Su, a county constable in Wannian County, is a skilled martial artist and a diligent investigator, widely regarded as a hero. Unfortunately, he comes from a humble background and has little chance of advancement. Add to that his dark complexion, empty pockets, and quiet, straightforward nature... Apart from being young and unmarried, he doesn't meet a single one of Zhen Bao Zhu's requirements.

At the banquet celebrating Zhen's promotion, the room was packed with eligible young men. Zhen Bao Zhu peered at them from behind a screen, and immediately spotted Chen Su, head down as he wolfed down food, completely out of place.

Bao Zhu asked the question on everyone's mind: "Father, why did you invite him?"

The wealthy Zhen patriarch was implicated in a major case, had his property confiscated, and was sentenced to exile. His pampered daughter Zhen Bao Zhu was to be made a government bondservant and sent to a place no decent person would want to go.

Zhen's father grabbed Chen Su, who was passing by to investigate the case, and cried out desperately, "Bao Zhu is already promised to him! She's a daughter-in-law of the Chen family, not a daughter of the Zhen family!"

With everyone watching, Chen Su looked at Zhen Bao Zhu, shackled and waiting to be taken away, tears falling like rain. He nodded and accepted.

On their wedding night, Bao Zhu wept uncontrollably. "My father... he was framed..."

Chen Su looked at Zhen Bao Zhu, sobbing and covered in tears and snot. He nodded, then left the room. Before long, he came back with a bowl of noodles.

Still crying, Zhen Bao Zhu took the bowl Chen Su handed her. As she ate and wept, she thought: This man seems unable to talk, but... his noodles are delicious!

As the saying goes, "A hero never gets a good wife, while a scoundrel marries a sweetheart."

Quiet and straightforward Chen Su became the first Grand Minister of Justice from a humble background. For her achievements, his pampered wife, Madam Zhen, received a reward and was granted the title of Lady of Hejian Commandery.

A hero marries a sweetheart: a match made in heaven, envied by all.

Bao Zhu often asked Chen Su, "When did you start liking me?"

Chen Su never gave her an answer.

Until the day Zhen Bao Zhu received her title and seal. Chen Su threw a lavish family banquet and drank far more than usual. That night, the radiant Lady of Hejian Commandery lay in his arms and coyly asked, "Su, when did you start liking me?"

The Grand Minister of Justice's eyes shone like stars. "From the start. At first sight."

A marriage-before-love, match-made-in-heaven romance, sweet and sour with a satisfying payoff.

Solving cases and redressing wrongful convictions, mixed with family life and everyday concerns. Both leads have several admirers.

Additional Notes:

1. This story focuses on romance. The cases are just an important way to advance the relationship, so don't overthink them.

2. Before the heroine understands her own feelings, she flits between love interests and is a lovestruck beauty enthusiast... But isn't it normal for a beautiful flower to attract a crowd of bees and butterflies?

3. The heroine is a radiant beauty, while the hero is an ordinary handsome man.

4. An imaginary world, extremely imaginary. Please don't take it too seriously.

Theme: Love helps people grow