Beauty's Thorn

[The Pursuit After the Breakup | Coercive Possession | Faked Death]

Wansu was born into a troupe of entertainers. With beauty like jade and talent to match, she was peerless in both looks and skill.

An entertainer's life in a music house never lasts long. Thinking this over, Wansu decided to attach herself to a powerful man and find a high-ranking official to help her escape.

A few days later, the Censorate hosted a banquet for senior officials.

Among the assembled officials, Wansu's gaze settled at once on a handsome, cool-looking face.

*

Cui Lang was born into a distinguished family. He had risen to prominence while still young and was arrogant about his talents, usually indifferent to beauties and treasures alike.

That day, he attended the banquet. A colleague took the opportunity to present him with a beauty. Cui Lang had intended to refuse, but when he looked up, he was struck by her appearance.

He was unmarried and couldn't keep a woman like her at his side. After careful consideration, he decided to present her to the Prince of Chun's heir instead.

*

By day, Wansu was clever and obedient. At night, she would kneel beside him and beg for his affection.

After a spring rain, Wansu called him "Lang" in a soft, tender voice.

Cui Lang furrowed his brow and said nothing, letting her press herself against him.

After more than half a year of days and nights together, Cui Lang felt he was losing control and began to regret it.

In bed, Wansu gazed at him through tear-filled eyes and asked, "Lang, how much of your heart is truly mine?"

Cui Lang didn't answer, only making her sweat with desire.

If he were to offer her any affection, he was willing to make her his concubine. For an entertainer, becoming a concubine was already a great favor.

"I intend to marry. You can be my concubine. That works out perfectly."

Thinking this, he planned to marry his childhood sweetheart and take Wansu as a concubine as well.

A concubine could be bought and sold.

Wansu's gaze turned cold. So Cui Lang had always treated her as nothing but a plaything.

*

Two years later, they met again at a spring banquet. Cui Lang and the Princess Consort of Chun exchanged distant glances.

With just one look, he knew that Wansu had survived her fall from the cliff.

During a break in the banquet, he led Wansu away and drew her into his arms, the familiar scent filling his nose.

His eyes reddened. His gaze was pitiful, and he couldn't force a single word past his lips.

Wansu had deceived him and lied to him, never giving him the slightest bit of real affection.

For two years, he had been consumed with grief, while Wansu shared tender moments with someone else.

*

"Wansu, take pity on me and touch it."

Under cover of night, Cui Lang climbed through a window into the Prince of Chun's residence. He crouched before her, eyes red and gaze pleading like a beggar's.

Wansu smiled softly and, barefoot, lifted Cui Lang's chin with her foot.

The young man who once thought so highly of himself had turned out to be nothing special after all.

Theme: The bustle of the world