Perched in Spring, Circling the Phoenix

A forthcoming novel in my catalogue: *After Being Crowned a Princess*~ A light, sweet romance. If that sounds like your cup of tea, come check it out~

Blurb

| Mutual Healing | Marriage First, Love Later | Historical Romance, Ensemble Cast, Political Intrigue

[Completed. If you bought the full book, please leave a five-star review~]

I.

Cai Yang, the eldest princess of Dongchen, was born breathtakingly beautiful. She grew up with the heir of the Li family in the capital, and everyone said they were a perfect match, destined to be together.

Then war broke out, and Cai Yang donned her bridal robes and traveled to an enemy kingdom to marry its ruler, Wei Shichong.

Unlike the ordinary young noblemen she had known, Wei Shichong rarely smiled or spoke. He had no interest in poetry or clever wordplay, preferring to practice with swords and spears. When he happened to cross paths with her, he merely gave a slight nod.

She had eaten the ruler's food and shouldered his burdens, so she had no complaints about marrying him.

She had never expected to marry a considerate husband and live a happy life. Her greatest wish was for the two kingdoms to put aside their weapons and make peace.

Since they had to share a bed every night, the best she could hope for was that they would keep the peace.

But Wei Shichong saw things differently.

Pinned to the daybed as he took her relentlessly, Cai Yang could only grit her teeth and gaze up at him with tearful, pleading eyes.

A glimmer of tears in her eyes quietly found its way into the man's heart...

II.

At first, Wei Shichong was wary of her at every turn. He could not believe a woman from Dongchen could genuinely wish him well.

He treated her with courtesy only because he was grateful for the many books and silks she had brought from Dongchen.

He thought they would go on treating each other with polite respect, until one day he saw her former sweetheart trying to help her escape. Wei Shichong clenched his jaw, and teacups shattered across the palace hall.

"If it weren't for the alliance, would the princess have wanted to marry this pretty-faced young lord?" he sneered.

She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before answering frankly, "Of course..."

He snapped, "Then why didn't you leave with him?"

Cai Yang frowned, truly at a loss as to what he meant.

They had only been pretending for mutual convenience. Besides, wasn't this what he had wanted to ask her...?

The man's chest heaved as he lifted her and backed her into a corner. His warm breath brushed her neck.

Cai Yang's heart gave a start as she heard him growl in her ear, "A Yang, will you be Queen of Rouyi and stay by my side?"

She froze.

Reader's guide: * Both leads are virgins, one-on-one romance (the heroine has a childhood sweetheart, but they were never in love)

* Plot-heavy, with an ensemble cast and political intrigue

* There are several side couples woven into the story. If you especially like a couple, leave a comment and I'll write them a separate bonus chapter~

* This is set in an imagined historical world. Official titles and other names are loosely inspired by history but are made up and thrown together at random, so please don't overanalyze them~

Theme: Love grounded in mutual respect will remain passionate through the ages