Hidden Beauty

[Fake Siblings] [Coercive Possession] [Long-Prepared Plot] After a switch of identities, Shu Yun spent sixteen years as the young lady of the Marquis's household. When the truth about her birth came to light, she was allowed to remain in the estate, but the true daughter made things difficult for her at every turn and even tried to force her into a marriage in the countryside. With nowhere else to turn, Shu Yun asked her former eldest brother for help. Her eldest brother gently wiped away her tears and told her not to be afraid. He would handle breaking off the engagement. In the entire marquis's household, only her eldest brother treated her as he always had. He even let her call him "Brother" as she had before. Shu Yun knew he was the only one who could protect her, so she curbed her temper and carefully tried to please him. Until one day, Shu Yun was afflicted with a love curse and spent a night with her eldest brother. His expression was cool and detached. He only said he would help her keep it secret, and once the curse was lifted, he would find her a good husband. Shu Yun obediently cooperated with her eldest brother to lift the curse. From then on, every ten days, she woke up in his bed. That year, the marquis's household was to marry off a daughter, but the bride disappeared on the eve of her wedding. The entire household searched for her for days, to no avail. In a shadowy private residence, Shu Yun's wedding dress had been torn off, and her eldest brother had imprisoned her there. Only then did she realize that her eldest brother had long ago woven a web for her, waiting for her to walk into it step by step so he could close it around her and claim her. * Xiao Ye had always known exactly what he wanted. The young woman in the household had never been his sister. She should have been his wife. He plotted at every turn and used despicable means. How could he let anyone else lay a hand on the younger sister he had raised himself? Xiao Ye gave Shu Yun the very best, and they shared the closest intimacy day and night. Later, Shu Yun disobediently ran away and vanished without a trace. Xiao Ye searched for her like a madman. Then one day, his sworn younger brother, far away in Nanzhou, invited him to officiate at his wedding. Who else could the delicate beauty standing behind his sworn brother be but Shu Yun? Note: 1. No household infighting. The leads end their sibling relationship at the beginning, and the heroine is removed from the family register. The hero learns early on that the heroine is not of the Xiao family by blood. 2. There is a lot of setup in the early chapters, and the story is a slow burn. The hero begins to close his net and claim her after Chapter 14. 3. She runs, he chases. Blurb: Written on 2024.11.23, revised on 2025.8.2 Cover used with permission: "San Tai Ling" by Yu Da Yan Upcoming release: "Breaking Sandalwood in the Golden Hall" After angering the emperor, a noble consort was sentenced to die by white silk. To repay the consort's kindness, the palace maid Yu Tan devoted herself to caring for the young Fifth Prince, staying by his side as he rose from an abandoned pawn to the heir apparent, and finally to the throne. They relied on and supported each other. They were sovereign and subject, yet more like siblings. Tired of the struggle, Yu Tan had long ago promised her beloved that once the new dynasty was secure, she would leave the palace and live with him. But when she submitted her resignation to the new emperor, he gave no answer, and her beloved vanished as well. That night, Yu Tan woke from her sleep with a tingling sensation in her chest and found herself caught in the new emperor's burning gaze. His long-fingered hands lifted her legs and held her captive in his arms. Later, Yu Tan wandered into a forbidden part of the imperial palace and found her imprisoned lover, covered in wounds and barely alive. The scent of imperial incense drew close behind her. The young emperor pulled her into his embrace, his voice gentle yet obsessive. "Sister, you taught me to fight for what I wanted. I learned. And now, the one I want is you." Yu Tan could no longer escape. From then on, she was locked away in the palace, cherished night after night. The man she had raised with her own hands became the nightmare she could never break free from. * In the third month of spring, the emperor and empress were wed. The empress, dressed in splendid robes, received the worship of the people. But beneath her phoenix robe were shackles specially made by the emperor, fastened around her by Xiao Qi himself. From an abandoned prince in the Cold Palace to the supreme ruler, Xiao Qi had won everything he had fought for. Yu Tan was no exception. They ate and slept together, and through countless cold nights, they had held each other for warmth. They were made for each other. #Later, she wondered when their sibling affection had changed into something else #The brooding emperor had coveted her for ages Note: Siblings, six-year age gap; coercive possession. The male lead is a virgin and has no past romantic or sexual entanglements. Upcoming release: "The Wicked Maid" Xue Yin had a tragic upbringing and endured many hardships before finally finding refuge in the wealthy Jiang household. To live in peace, she was cautious in everything she did. The second young master of the household was indifferent to women, a source of great worry to his mother. Xue Yin thought this would be the best place for her to settle down. She acted meek and obedient, catching Madam Jiang's eye, and was sent to serve as a bedchamber maid in the second young master's quarters. Xue Yin skillfully used her wits and eventually stirred the heart of the man who had been indifferent to women. The second young master doted on her and promised to make her a concubine after he married. At last, Xue Yin felt at ease, believing she had found a home and would never again have to wander from place to place. Unexpectedly, the Jiang family became embroiled in a lawsuit, and their home was confiscated as they were thrown into prison. When the second young master fell gravely ill, Xue Yin abandoned him. From then on, she had nothing more to do with the Jiang family. * Four years later, the cosmetics shop Xue Yin ran became embroiled in a lawsuit. In court, she knelt with her head bowed. The magistrate seated above her was the frail young man she had abandoned years ago. He was dignified and refined, his aloof eyes full of hatred. The only thing unchanged was his cold, merciless voice. "Because we know each other, I must be all the more impartial in handling this case." Jiang Hexing loathed this wicked maid, a bewitching seductress who had sought wealth and status and was heartless and ungrateful. On this inspection tour on behalf of the emperor, the first thing Jiang Hexing did after finding her was make her pay. Now, crushing her would be easier than crushing an ant. The preliminary hearing ended, and Xue Yin was taken away in chains and thrown into prison. Jiang Hexing walked out of the prison. Xue Yin's admirer was outside, bribing the guards and begging to see her. A doll-like little girl fell to her knees, crying and kowtowing to him as she pleaded for Xue Yin. The girl looked a little like him. Note: Old-school melodrama, not sweet! A tragic tale of love and hate! The male lead is a virgin. He orchestrated the heroine's lawsuit himself. He both loves and hates her, and the more he does with her, the more he hates her; the more he hates her, the more he does with her! Theme: Overcome difficulties and welcome a better life.