[Practice piece 2: Male lead disguises himself as a woman, male lead’s POV, romance-focused, non-VIP, set in the same world and storyline as the previous two historical romances, gender-bender + bad ending]
Headstrong princess x timid prince consort [gender-bender]
The new dynasty’s Princess Xie Fuyao is famous throughout the capital. People praise her, saying, “The eldest princess is born of the imperial line. Naturally, she deserves the finest man in the world.”
But Xie Fuyao doesn’t see it that way.
Marry a good man, then hide at home after getting fat from pregnancy, caring for her husband and children? Live a mediocre life, confined to the inner chambers? Get enraged by concubines and maids? Then end up with her makeup ruined, weeping at her reflection?
That would be utterly boring!
On the spring day when the imperial examination results are announced, she passes through the city gate in her carriage and sees the beautiful new top scholar parading through the streets.
His makeup is immaculate, his movements graceful, his manner shy and gentle. He parts his vermilion lips in a radiant smile, a poised and elegant “woman.”
Xie Fuyao thinks: If Mother insists on arranging a match for me, this top scholar might not be a bad choice.
Her mother: Can someone really be so beautiful? Surely that must be a man?
Xie Fuyao: A man! Definitely a man!
*
Liu Weiyu has endured humiliation for twenty years and finally achieved success.
He comes to the imperial capital for just two reasons: first, to take revenge by finding and killing the enemy who destroyed his family ten years ago; second, to leave the capital and find his missing junior sister, Yao Fu'er.
But things never go as planned. With no family, connections, or power, and enemies plotting against him, Liu Weiyu has no one to rely on. He grits his teeth and disguises himself as a woman. He intends to pass the imperial exams and earn status and wealth so he can act freely and recruit allies, but the little princess Xie Fuyao appears out of nowhere and carries him off to her estate.
Liu Weiyu is furious, astonished, then relieved. He laughs and says, “I searched everywhere, and now it’s fallen right into my lap.”
*
The new prince consort is so delicate and beautiful that Xie Fuyao can’t bring herself to share his bed. Only when her mother gives her a knowing smile, makes fun of her, and threatens to stuff other men into her estate does Xie Fuyao storm into the bridal chamber, blushing furiously.
Liu Weiyu has put his worries to rest and starts taking off his clothes.
Xie Fuyao grips her flowered handkerchief, her hand trembling as she points a slender finger at her prince consort, Liu Weiyu. “Y-you... you really are a man?”
The charming prince consort, disguised as a woman with a hidden dagger at his back, grins arrogantly. “I’ve been plotting this for ages~”
-*Note*-
[Worldbuilding] Based on “The Female General Star” and “After I Accidentally Flirted with My Cold Master”
[All books in the series are practice pieces written to indulge the author’s personal tastes. Updates whenever inspiration strikes.]
[Content warning] For those who dislike borrowing and remixing tropes, please avoid.
[Coming soon] The Beautiful Sentinel Is Always Stalked by a Creepy Ghost [Sentinel/Guide]
[Complete] The Female General Star
[Complete] After I Accidentally Flirted with My Cold Master
[Complete] Rumor Has It, Dragons Don’t Marry Princesses?
[Complete] Dear Elder Sister, I Appreciate Your Malice!
Theme: May every year bring abundance
