Synopsis
Archenemies x love-hate relationship x sex first, love later
[The entire story is already written. I'll start posting as soon as I have one pre-registration. Please click if you can, take pity on me.]
Cheng Yuan had spent ten years disguised as a man, taking her elder brother's place as a hostage in the capital. To allay the emperor's suspicions, she spent her days carousing in gambling dens and her nights listening to music in taverns. But one day, she let her guard down and, in full view of everyone, humiliated the Grand Tutor himself.
Wen Qingshi, the Grand Tutor, had been a prodigy since childhood. He had spent the previous ten years following the Grand Preceptor into battle across the land, earning countless merits and looking down on all. Yet on his first day back in the capital, before he had even learned the names of the ministers, he had already remembered Cheng Yuan, the playboy who kicked him right in the chest.
From then on, everyone knew Wen Qingshi and Cheng Yuan were at odds.
"A playboy, a useless fool, a libertine, a lowlife. Cheng Yuan is nothing but a menace!"
"Arrogant, presumptuous, conceited, aloof. Wen Qingshi is nothing but a lapdog of the court!"
Before Cheng Yuan could settle the score with him, she was struck by a vicious underhanded trick. After a night together, the two stared into each other's eyes.
Cheng Yuan hadn't yet figured out how to conceal her identity when she saw her nemesis blushing, his lips trembling, looking as though he'd seen a ghost. After a long pause, he gritted his teeth and said:
"Don't worry. I... I'll take responsibility for you."
--
Wen Qingshi had observed proper etiquette and decorum all his life.
His principles were shattered on the day he opened his eyes and saw his nemesis lying beside him.
He clearly resented her rudeness and despised her vulgarity. Yet he couldn't help drawing closer to her, helping her keep her secret and yielding to her at every turn.
At first, he thought it was merely the discipline instilled in him by propriety, an obligation to the person who had shared his bed.
But later, he was willing to defy the laws of his ancestors and bear a thousand years of infamy, all to cross a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood to take her home.
Only then did he understand that what he had resented all his life was the countless figures reflected in her eyes, with no room for him alone.
And what he had despised all his life was nothing but his own dark, despicable self, wishing to imprison her for life and keep her all to himself, day after day.
Reader's notes:
1. The leads are on opposing sides at first. Their actions aren't driven by romantic obsession; there are objective reasons behind everything they do.
2. 1v1, both leads have no prior sexual partners, happy ending.
3. Set in an invented dynasty. The romance and plot run alongside each other. The political intrigue is limited and serves the plot. No historical reference, so please don't nitpick. Not a power fantasy.
4. Hope you enjoy reading. Please don't argue, mwah.
Blurb written on January 30, 2026
Upcoming historical romance: The Book of the Empress and Emperor
Long-planned scheme x love-hate relationship
Xiao Luan had spent her seventeen years learning how to be an empress, day and night.
With the power of the Xiao family behind her, Xiao Luan could choose who would ascend the throne. But no one expected that on the eve of her wedding, her fiance would die unexpectedly in the countryside after a secret rendezvous, forcing her to find another candidate.
So she chose Gu Heci, the least favored of the princes.
An illegitimate son, out of favor, clever, obedient. He was a better puppet than the others, one who could let her bear an emperor with Xiao blood in his veins and control half the empire.
She valued his weak background, while he saw her family connections as his chance to rise.
It was a political marriage in which both sides had ulterior motives, yet they were praised as a perfectly harmonious couple and a match made in heaven.
Xiao Luan found it laughable.
--
Ten years after their wedding, she helped him ascend the throne, and he made her empress. In the vast imperial harem, she was the only one.
The world said they were a deeply devoted imperial couple. Only Xiao Luan knew they would rather hide swords under their pillows and poison in each other's food. They lay on the same bed, but he never crossed the line.
Seeing that there was no hope of an heir, Xiao Luan had no choice but to seek another way. She considered filling Gu Heci's harem, keeping the child and killing the father, leaving behind a young emperor who would be easier to control.
But on the day she proposed holding a selection for the harem, the usually aloof emperor suddenly turned ruthless for some reason. He stood before her, closing in step by step, his eyes cold and ominous.
"Xiao Luan," Gu Heci said slowly, "you really are my good empress!"
--
Gu Heci had lain low in secret for ten years, training hidden guards and killing his elder brothers, all to claim Xiao Luan by legitimate means.
He knew she was ambitious, that she loved power, and that she had her own schemes. He also knew that he loved her.
Unfortunately, she saw him as an enemy, while he feared the noble families behind her meddling in government. Years into their marriage, they shared a bed but dreamed different dreams, outwardly united yet inwardly divided.
"The world thinks the emperor and empress are a devoted couple, living in perfect harmony. They don't know that she and I have long since gone our separate ways, plotting against each other without end, until one of us dies."
Theme: Walk the right path
