At the Height of the Scarlet

Cruel and debonair Jinyiwei Commander gong x a courtesan shou who feigns frailty as part of a calculated revenge

During the Jiaxi era, two rumors set the capital abuzz.

First, Qimo Tower was sending out invitations far and wide. Xue Jiang, the capital's foremost courtesan, would soon make his debut, setting aside his red robes to perform as a dan-role actor.

The city's wealthy and powerful flocked to the tower, willing to pay a fortune for an invitation, all for a glimpse of the beauty's smile.

Second, Jinyiwei Commander Ling Hexiao had been ordered to investigate an old case from the previous dynasty, clear the Crown Prince's household of a decade-old injustice, and find the Crown Prince's eldest grandson, who had been lost among the common people.

The day the Jinyiwei escorted the young heir back to the palace, everyone was stunned.

The heir was none other than the famous Young Master Yin Zhu, the renowned actor Xue Jiang.

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Rumors of palace secrets claimed that a revered monk had once divined the young heir's fate: blessed by a lucky star, he was destined for greatness, and a red cloud-shaped birthmark lay on his lower back.

While investigating the old case of the Crown Prince's household, Ling Hexiao visited Qimo Tower by candlelight.

The lamplight by the bed was hazy and intimate. Ling Hexiao toyed with the beauty's sash, his eyes brimming with amusement. "Will you come to me yourself, or should I do it for you and help you out of your clothes?"

The beauty rose, holding his wrist, and instead pressed close to him.

Xue Jiang met his teasing gaze with cool, indifferent eyes. "No need to trouble yourself, Lord Ling. A-Jiang can manage on his own."

But then Ling Hexiao suddenly pinned him in place. He didn't even glance at the mark on Xue Jiang's lower back, only murmuring, "...Xue Jiang, once you shed this disguise, just how many secrets are you hiding?"

-

During the Lantern Festival, Ling Hexiao was pursuing a suspect in a murder case when someone ambushed him and stole his quarry. The other person slipped away like a fish into the sea, drawing him in pursuit until he stumbled into a theater just as the show was about to begin.

Ling Hexiao was about to leave when the strings gave a quiver. Onstage, the red-robed star performer turned with a fan in hand and began to sing.

Behind the fan, those cool, indifferent eyes were unmistakably the same ones he'd glimpsed amid the clash of blades moments before.

Blurb archived on September 8, 2024

[Reading Guide]

1. Cruel and debonair Jinyiwei Commander gong x a courtesan shou who feigns frailty as part of a calculated revenge.

2. A match between equals, both pretending to be weak while hiding their strengths. Enemies become lovers, loving and fighting each other.

3. The setting is fictional, with many creative liberties. Please don't nitpick historical accuracy.

Theme: When two kindred hearts meet.