My Lady, You Mustn't

Happy ending! A gentle, clever young lady x a flirtatious little lantern maker who doesn't realize she's flirting

Han Zhao has been living under an assumed identity as a boy, learning to make lanterns for eight years.

Her goal is to return to the capital one day, meet the emperor, avenge her parents, who died unjustly, and clear their names.

At seventeen, He Lanjun has no desire to marry a suitable man. She only wants to make money in business and add a few more shops to her family's silk business.

On the Lantern Festival, a beauty lantern brought the two of them together.

After meeting several more times, He Lanjun decided she liked the little lantern maker.

Miss He had no intention of accepting the match her parents arranged for her. Her marriage was destined by heaven.

When the moon rose above the willow branches, they met after dusk.

The young lady boldly confessed her feelings, but all she received was a silent rejection.

Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, Han Zhao couldn't bear it. She took her hand and placed it against her own chest, letting her feel the softness there.

The reason for the rejection was clear without a word.

Miss He was shocked and fled in a panic.

At a farewell banquet before the trip to the capital, Miss He smiled as she brought up the husband her parents had picked out for her.

Han Zhao grew restless, and even the wine tasted bitter and impossible to swallow.

When she woke the next day, she was in Miss He's bed.

Miss He propped her head up with one hand and stared at her. "You have two choices: marry me, or become my bride."

Han Zhao: I'm going to the capital, where I might live or die. I'm afraid you'll end up a widow.

He Lanjun: If you dare make me a widow, I won't forgive you in my next life.

Reading Guide:

1. A gentle, clever young lady x a flirtatious little lantern maker who doesn't realize she's flirting.

2. There are scenes of cross-dressing! Happy ending, light and sweet. The author's notes also have bonus sweet scenes.

3. An alternate ancient setting. Some of the career-related plot details are original elements added to move the story along.

4. The first volume follows everyday life in Anning County; the second takes place in the capital.

Coming soon: Senior Sister, Would You Really Have the Heart to Kill Me? If you're interested, add it to your reading list!

Synopsis:

With the martial arts tournament approaching, the head of the Qishan Sect, the previous leader of the martial arts alliance, was ambushed and killed by an evil cult. The legendary martial arts manual she left behind threw the martial world into turmoil.

At her sect's command, Ling Shuang, the eldest senior sister of the Lingshan Sect, headed to the tournament. She saw injustice on the road and rescued a singing girl named Lian'er from Qishan Sect disciples.

The girl had a pitifully sweet face and couldn't fight at all. After dark, she burrowed into the eldest senior sister's arms and said in a trembling voice, "Senior Sister, I'm scared."

Yet her hand glided along the eldest senior sister's soft back, secretly planting a poison parasite without anyone noticing.

The eldest senior sister had plenty of experience looking after her junior sisters, and gently comforted her. "Don't be afraid. I'll take you back to Lingshan and ask Master to accept you as my junior sister. No one will dare bully you again."

The girl nodded obediently. She followed the eldest senior sister every day, always considerate, caring, and attentive.

The eldest senior sister was pleased: This prospective junior sister is so well-behaved.

Later, at the martial arts tournament, the righteous fighters were ambushed. The infamous Holy Maiden of the evil cult, who was said to be ruthless and to have wiped out entire families, arrived on the scene. She had exactly the same face as Lian'er.

The eldest senior sister drew her sword and pointed it at the Holy Maiden.

The Holy Maiden stepped toward the sword instead of backing away, and smiled. "Senior Sister? Would you really have the heart to kill me?"

Theme: Women should stand on their own feet