After Mistaking the Grand Princess for a Concubine

Su Jinxue passed the imperial examinations at fourteen and became famous throughout the capital. After her closest family member died in battle, she observed three years of mourning at a temple.

When she returned, her uncles, who had usurped the prince's manor, tried to switch the chosen Crown Princess. With a cup of poisoned wine, they delivered her to the Crown Prince's aunt, the Princess Royal: a woman afflicted with a leg disability and a violent temper, whose concubines entered her residence and never came back.

On her first night there, Su Jinxue clutched the sharp end of her hairpin and huddled under the corridor, ready to take anyone who approached down with her. A cool hand reached out to her first.

The woman wore simple robes, her hair as dark as ink. She looked like an immortal descended from the moon. Only the mole on her collarbone was so red it caught the eye.

It was only when the woman gave a soft laugh that Su Jinxue realized what was going on.

This was probably another poor soul in the Princess Royal's household.

After that day, Su Jinxue gradually grew close to the woman. By day, she picked flowers and brewed medicine to cheer her up. At night, she sneaked into her bedchamber to warm her bed and keep her cozy.

But every time she slipped under the covers, Su Jinxue felt guilty. Wasn't what they were doing disrespectful to the Princess Royal?

Yet the woman would always boldly open her collar, her teeth grazing Su Jinxue's collarbone. Her smiling voice dropped low and husky: "Hush, keep your voice down... Her Highness might be listening outside."

Su Jinxue trembled, and by the time she came to her senses, she had given the woman her whole heart.

She solemnly promised her: once she passed the highest imperial examination, she would redeem them both from the Princess Royal.

Later, Su Jinxue earned the top honor in the imperial examinations. Kneeling below the palace steps, she heard an attendant call out, "The Princess Royal!" When she looked up, her whole body went rigid.

The notorious Princess Royal, the one afflicted with a leg disability, was none other than the frail, willow-like concubine sister from the princess's residence!

Thinking of all the outrageous things she had done in the rear courtyard, she fled that very night without even packing her belongings.

*

Xiao Mingyu had lain low for many years. At first, she hid her identity and let Su Jinxue misunderstand, wanting to see how long she would keep acting foolishly.

But later, she chased after Su Jinxue in the middle of the night and gripped her wrist so tightly it reddened, refusing to let go.

On the eve of her enthronement, everyone thought Xiao Mingyu would ascend the throne. Instead, she placed the emperor's crown she had prepared on Su Jinxue's head. Her fingertips brushed her ear, then cupped the back of her neck and pulled her into an embrace. Her voice was possessive and dangerous:

"My Jinjing deserves everything this world holds most precious."

Su Jinxue stumbled into Xiao Mingyu's shoulder and heard a very soft, slow laugh above her.

"Make me your empress, then."

Su Jinxue's pupils shook. "You..."

Xiao Mingyu pressed a finger to her lips, then ran it down her spine, vertebra by vertebra. "Don't shout. Save your strength for crying later."

Xiao Mingyu (top) x Su Jinxue (bottom)

Note: 1. One-on-one romance, both are each other's only partner. The top is eight years older than the bottom.

2. In ancient times, girls came of age at fifteen. The bottom is already an adult at seventeen when the story begins.

4. The setting blends several dynasties and is entirely fictional. Do not associate characters with specific historical figures.

Theme: Usurp the throne, bring peace to the world