Stealing Jade at the Spring Terrace

Qin Xiangyi's first marriage was a poor match. Her husband's family had money but no influence, and he also suffered from certain unspeakable problems.

She was in the prime of her youth, but her former husband tormented her until she could bear no more. In a fit of anger, she divorced him.

Only after the divorce did she learn that life as a divorced woman was far from easy.

The world looked at her coldly, and once her elder brother and sister-in-law took charge of the household, there was even less room for her at home.

Her brother and sister-in-law's daughter had come of age for marriage, and a prospective match was found for her. The young man was handsome, with bright eyes and white teeth, and always addressed Qin Xiangyi as Aunt with impeccable manners.

He treated her with respect, observing every courtesy day after day. As they kept meeting, they gradually grew familiar with each other.

When it came to marriage, He Yanzhou had always followed his parents' wishes. The He family was a prestigious clan with a deep-rooted legacy, and He Yanzhou was the darling of the clan, a heaven-blessed prodigy.

His life had been planned out from the moment he was born, apart from the divorced Aunt from the Qin family who suddenly entered his field of vision.

In He Yanzhou's eyes, though the Qin family left much to be desired in every respect,

that one Aunt alone seemed born with the face of Guanyin. When her cool, indifferent eyes swept over the world,

he couldn't help but become deferential, honoring and respecting her.

Until one day, He Yanzhou was dining with friends at a restaurant when he overheard someone in the next room making bold remarks about his former wife.

"Brother Pei, everyone knows your former wife was unbearably stiff and dull. She deserved to be divorced."

The man waved a hand. "No, no. You don't know what she used to be like... She made me want to lose my very soul to her."

He Yanzhou's handsome features grew colder with every word. Yet deep down, more than wanting to teach that blabbermouth a lesson, he found her figure taking shape in his mind, more vivid with every passing moment...

Reading Guide:

* This is all about the push and pull of flirtation, sinking into desire, holding back, and finally giving in

* The leads have no blood ties or family relationship of any kind, from beginning to end

* No rivalry between women, and no unfortunate niece falling victim

* Set in an imaginary dynasty. The details are all made up, so just enjoy this little love story without scrutinizing them

Two bonus chapters:

Bonus 1: The male lead is reborn before the female lead's marriage

Bonus 2: The female lead is reborn on the first day she meets the male lead (includes plenty of scenes where the female lead takes the initiative with the puppy-like male lead)

My upcoming novel is now open for pre-order: She Has Been Reforming for Years. Please enjoy.

When Yin Cailu wandered the streets in ragged clothes, the Xue family took her in.

Madam Xue said she looked exactly like her late daughter.

In the blink of an eye, she became the young lady of a marquis's household, but the Xue family's affection for her was not nearly as great as she had imagined.

They merely dressed her in a gilded shell and made her learn countless rules.

At last, she understood why the Xue family had taken her in.

The late Miss Xue, whom she was replacing, had been promised in marriage to a member of the imperial family. The Xue family was unwilling to give up the match, so they had brought Yin Cailu home.

People said that the Xue family's young lady, Xue Jingyun, was as refined as jade and as steadfast as bamboo standing in the snow. Madam Xue expected Yin Cailu to be just like Xue Jingyun in every way.

Once Yin Cailu had made herself look the part, the decree appointing her Crown Princess arrived.

The Crown Prince was gentle, but had no desire for women. The Xue family repeatedly warned her: the Crown Princess did not necessarily have to win the Crown Prince's affection, but she must uphold the family's honor and observe the proper decorum.

Seeing that she looked presentable, Madam Xue smiled knowingly. "Remember, don't let your true colors show."

When the Xue family took Yin Cailu in, she had already spent some time wandering outside. Before that, she had lived in a place of grand towers and ornate mansions, with carved beams and painted rafters. Every day, countless scholars, refined gentlemen, and powerful officials waited for a chance to see her and enjoy her charms.

Unfortunately, the Yusheng House in Jiangnan later fell, and the madam was seized by the authorities. Yin Cailu wandered east until she reached the capital, where Madam Xue found her and brought her home.

She did have to put some effort into winning the affections of the desireless Crown Prince, but these were skills she had practiced since childhood. No man could resist them.

Even the most desireless Crown Prince was gradually stirred by her. In the bedchamber, hidden from Madam Xue's eyes, she sang and danced, her long sleeves fluttering, her voice sweet as a warbler's song, her waist so supple it could leave a man spellbound.

Sometimes she remembered Madam Xue's instructions and held herself back. But the next time, she couldn't help herself. After all, she had spent so long getting coy at the sound of a man's voice and going soft at the waist that she couldn't change those habits overnight.

There was just one thing... She didn't much like the official the Crown Prince had recently summoned to the capital.

He was one of her regulars from the past.

One day, when she saw the Crown Prince return with a dark expression, she was so frightened her soul nearly flew from her body.

Theme: Face challenges head-on, and grow stronger with every setback.