Stirring Up Springtime Desire

Wen Zhiyan is a foodie. To win a bet, she vows to write A Miscellany of Northern and Southern Cuisine before graduating from the academy.

She has never visited the southwest region of Shu, and gets stuck on that section. With the deadline approaching, she has a sudden idea and turns her attention to Yan Xingzhou, who has just returned to the capital from Shu to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday.

Yan Xingzhou is the heir of Prince Cheng’s residence. He grew up in Shu and has an aloof, sharp-tongued nature, as cold as frost.

She takes the initiative to seek inspiration, but he keeps avoiding her.

When she tries to run into Yan Xingzhou for the third time, he catches her in the act.

Yan Xingzhou turns away, speaking with haughty pride. “You... aren’t allowed to like me.”

Wen Zhiyan is confused, but nods anyway.

Yan Xingzhou has been troubled lately. By a twist of fate, he found Wen Zhiyan’s notebook, which contains detailed notes about his food preferences.

Then he noticed she carried their betrothal token at her waist, and realized that his fiancée, whom he had never met, seemed to be quite fond of him. From then on, he looked at Wen Zhiyan with a hint of inscrutable affection...

Since someone cared about him so much, Yan Xingzhou occasionally showed “great kindness” and helped Wen Zhiyan out along the way.

For instance, when Wen Zhiyan went to watch the new top scholar’s parade, she was about to throw him a sachet when Yan Xingzhou stopped her and stuffed it into his own pocket.

Wen Zhiyan: “...What are you doing?”

Yan Xingzhou smiled without answering: She’s blushing again.

It wasn’t until one day, when he got his hands on the second half of the notebook, that he realized he’d imagined the whole thing.

Yan Xingzhou: ...I’m angry.

But he still fought his way through every obstacle to shield her from wind and rain.

[Academy Diary]

The first day he met Wen Zhiyan, Yan Xingzhou: We were betrothed as children. How could that be taken seriously?

A few days later: We are engaged, after all. Fine, I’ll look after her a little.

A while later: She’s quite cute. Maybe I could accept the engagement...

Later: So she was only using me for inspiration?

Later still: Now she’s not using me anymore?

The first day she met Yan Xingzhou, Wen Zhiyan: Beautiful people are always a little proud.

A few days later: He has a strange temper and strange tastes.

A while later: Actually... he’s pretty nice.

Later: So he’s the person I was betrothed to as a child?

Later still: He says he likes me?

[Reading Guide]

1. One-on-one, happy ending, both leads’ first relationship.

2. Natural airhead & tsundere (important!). A romance focused on their relationship.

3. Lighthearted writing, pure historical romance, no rebirth or transmigration.

4. An imaginary setting, so please don’t nitpick the history!

5. The male lead has loved only the female lead for all his lives, from beginning to end.

Physically faithful (no intimate contact with other women)

Emotionally faithful (only ever fallen for the female lead)

Reputation spotless (no scandals, no exes, no unrequited first love)

Household spotless (no concubines, no other women by his side, only the female lead)

Blurb archived September 2024

Revised in December

Theme: Love life and grow together.