After Humiliating a Proper Gentleman

Bold, straightforward sweetheart VS principled gentleman who keeps himself chaste

A Fu is a rose of the desert in every sense of the phrase, radiant and delicate as a flower in full bloom.

One day, a Han dynasty envoy dressed in fine robes and a jade crown suddenly arrives in Loulan.

He stands tall with his diplomatic staff in hand, handsome and striking.

A Fu has never met such an elegant man, cool as jade.

Her heart flutters beyond her control, and she can only beg her mother to "keep" him in Loulan.

With a handsome man by her side, Princess A Fu boldly declares her love and tries every way she can to win his heart, hoping they can love each other and stay together forever.

But Lord Song, as graceful as an orchid and upright as a jade tree, disdains romantic entanglements. Even after they become intimate, he still chooses to leave without a word.

Three years pass in a flash, and Loulan falls.

The former desert princess becomes a lowly gift, passed from hand to hand among foreigners.

On the night the war captives are presented, the grand Han palace glitters with lanterns and welcomes guests with a feast, cups brimming with fine wine.

The women wear light, colorful gowns and dance gracefully to the music, their slender waists and pale arms making the men present drool with desire.

Among the countless envious gazes, only one man looks grave, his deep eyes as terrifying as if they had been tempered in ice.

He remembers how, three years ago, that lovely rose danced for him alone.

Memories of the two of them entwined in pleasure surge back like a tide.

Song Hemian sneers: Why pity the daughter of a fallen kingdom?

When the banquet ends, the beauty is sent to the Eastern Palace, just as expected.

The soft candlelight illuminates the woman's radiant features.

In a daze, a tall figure slowly approaches.

Behind the screen, A Fu can't make out the visitor's face.

Only when he forcefully pins her against the pillow does she cry out, "You?"

**Little Scene**

The Han crown prince is ordered to oversee the state. The twelve kingdoms of the Western Regions have just submitted, and all nations have come to pay tribute. With a beauty in his bed, he is riding high!

Yet just before the wedding night, Lord Song of the Court of State Ceremonial risks his life to admonish him: "Though the captive is beautiful, Your Highness must not let lust cloud your judgment."

Looking at his loyal and capable courtier, the crown prince feels ashamed. "Lord Song is absolutely right. The situation in foreign lands is complicated. This is no time to indulge in pleasure."

After a moment's thought, the crown prince decides to entrust the woman to Lord Song to look after.

Night falls at the hot spring villa.

Silk curtains drape around the four-poster bed.

A Fu, with her clothes in disarray, is pinned to the bed. Her normally fair face is flushed with indignation.

"Let me go!"

The man wears a dark official's robe. His face is as smooth as jade, and his lips curl into a faint smile.

"Let you go? Three years ago, wasn't this exactly what A Fu liked?"

His long, strong fingers move deftly downward, easily stripping away his heavy official robes.

His dry fingertips caress the woman's delicate skin. The familiar touch sends his emotions spiraling out of control.

"You trapped me in bed and took my innocence... Weren't those the things you did to me back then?"

Memories surge back. Regret fills A Fu's bright, beautiful face. "That's all in the past, isn't it?"

"The past?" The man snorts, making no attempt to hide the desire stirring in his eyes.

He is nothing like the inexperienced envoy who, three years ago, had been too angry and embarrassed to give in.

"Back then, how many schemes and tricks did A Fu use to win my favor? How can you expect it to be over so easily?"

His familiar presence draws ever closer. Her almond-shaped eyes brim with tears.

"Song Hemian! Are you really going to take revenge on me?"

His gaze is dark and sinister, but the way he bends down to kiss away the beauty's tears is devout.

"No. I'm taking revenge on myself."

Looking back, his body may have returned from Loulan, but his soul remained trapped in the heart of the desert, bound to this audacious "rose."

Heaven has smiled upon him, granting them this reunion. He swears to repay her for every "humiliation" he suffered, many times over!!!

My rose can bloom for me alone.

Reading Guide:

1. One-on-one, both leads are each other's first and only.

2. At first, the heroine is the one who forces herself on him. Later, the hero gives in for love. A light touch of chasing-the-wife-to-the-crematorium.

3. The heroine is a beautiful, thorny rose, not a soft, clingy flower.

4. Everything serves the plot. Please don't nitpick the historical setting or details. Thank you, thank you!

Theme: The crane is a fierce beast, capable of fighting an eagle.