Plucking Roses

[Delicate Beauty vs. Prince Who Seems Normal but Is Actually a Psychopath]

Zhou Wei was born into a distinguished family. The Zhou clan was renowned throughout the realm: her grandfather had once tutored the emperor, and her father was the director of the Imperial College.

But the political winds shifted. Her father was implicated in Prince Qi's rebellion, and every man in the family was arrested and thrown into prison. The Zhou family stood on the brink of ruin.

With nowhere else to turn, Zhou Wei finally went to Pei Xian, heir to Prince Wei, who was in charge of the case.

That day, Zhou Wei stood in the rain for two hours before she finally got to see him.

.

Pei Xian was the most outstanding imperial grandson of the day, peerlessly noble and possessed of a bearing that captivated the entire city. He never got close to women and looked down on love. Yet that day, the family member of a disgraced official came to his door.

He looked at the girl prostrated before him: cheeks as pale as snow, dark eyes glistening, a slender neck as white and delicate as a flower stem. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Want me to save your family? What will you give me in return?"

His voice was warm and gentle, but his gaze was dark as ink, full of hidden meaning.

Zhou Wei trembled as she raised her lashes. At last, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

-

Zhou Wei became Pei Xian's kept woman. She thought he only wanted her beauty, and that after a couple of years, once he lost interest, she could go find her father and brothers in exile.

Later, she heard that Pei Xian was going to marry. She tentatively asked if he would let her go.

The man who had feigned gentleness dropped his mask completely. He lifted her chin with a long finger. "Go? Where could you possibly go besides staying by my side?"

Zhou Wei's face turned pale, and she did not dare to argue.

But six months later, she vanished from the courtyard.

A delicate flower had actually dared to escape his grasp. Pei Xian laughed in fury, clenching his fist tight.

That day, ignoring his subordinates' protests, Pei Xian sent a thousand imperial guards to hunt her down along the roads.

But Zhou Wei escaped in the end.

*

Later, Pei Xian became crown prince, yet still did not marry. Everyone knew he had a forbidden subject no one dared mention.

When Pei Xian found her again, everyone saw the proud crown prince set aside his dignity and humble himself like never before. "Please come back with me."

Zhou Wei's voice remained soft, but her resolve was firm. "I don't want to. You don't love me."

Pei Xian lowered his eyes and gently coaxed her. "When did I ever say I didn't love you? From beginning to end, the only one I've loved is you."

Theme: Love requires equality