Synopsis
(Hoping to update daily, and doing my best to do so)
[An optimistic, confident, scheming little fox x a fragile puppy pretending to be a big bad wolf]
[One-on-one romance, both are pure, woman disguising herself as a man, secret identities revealed, bold and direct pursuit of love]
[Investigations, court politics, family estates, ensemble cast]
Wutong accepts a mission to impersonate "Song Lian" and travel to the capital. She must kill the treacherous chancellor Song Lang, expose the truth about how he framed Prince Qin for treason years ago, and deal with Wei Qi, supposedly Prince Qin's surviving son but actually the emperor's illegitimate child.
Of course, on the way there, she also has a ten-year promise to keep. The crybaby who hid in the peach grove back then must be waiting for her in the capital.
But Wutong never expected that the gentle, timid crybaby would become Wei Qi, the arrogant, overbearing illegitimate son.
Back then, he had told her, "No matter how much time passes, I'll recognize you." Now that they have met again, all he says is, "That face makes me sick."
Fine, fine. What a fine display of turning your back on someone and pretending not to know them.
She once tricked him into thinking she was a mountain god. Did he really take her for something less than human?
Wutong: Since we're strangers, I might as well kill him.
*
Everyone in the capital knows the rumor that Wei Qi is an illegitimate child born of a scandalous, forbidden affair, but no one dares speak of it.
He was born surrounded by rumors. Those who believed them wanted him dead, and those who didn't believe them wanted him dead even more.
He wasn't afraid of dying. He was afraid of letting down the people who had died horribly to protect him.
But just staying alive was already so difficult.
When he was ten, someone rescued him and took him to a peach grove.
She said, "I am the mountain god of this place, here to help you. You are not fated to die. Having survived this disaster, you will surely live to a hundred."
The peach blossoms were intoxicatingly fragrant, and her swaying veil seemed to tug at his heartbeat.
For the next ten years, she was the answer in his heart. Her words, "Stay alive and wait for me to find you," carried him through one ordeal after another.
Ten years later, he didn't find the mountain god. Instead, he met the child of his enemy, whose face looked uncannily like hers.
He loathed them and tried to avoid them, yet found himself drawn in again and again.
At some point, he became certain that this person was her.
Others tried to talk him out of it. "They only look alike. It's not her."
He replied, "But I've fallen for them, and it feels just like it did ten years ago."
But why had he fallen for a man? Why not a woman?
*
After Wutong's identity is exposed, she still insists she's a man. Wei Qi corners her in a room.
Grabbing her sash, he threatens, "Are you really a man?"
Wutong sees through his feigned composure, chuckles, places her hand over his trembling one, and slowly loosens her sash.
"What are you doing?" he panics.
Wutong gives him a wicked grin. "Obviously, I'm doing what the prince wants to do. Scared?"
*
Everyone in the Beidou Hall has no idea what's going on between the two of them. They used to trade open insults and covert schemes, but lately the prince has been sneaking glances at Wutong and batting his eyelashes at her like he's bewitched.
Their fingers are already linked, yet they still pretend to be at each other's throats. The others don't know whether to give them a hint or act like they haven't noticed.
*
A little extra:
1.
After Wei Qi learns that the "Mountain God" who rescued him was a man,
he locks himself in his room for three days and nights.
On the fourth day, he comes out and finds Wutong, condemns his own impure thoughts, and swears to become sworn brothers with her and repay her kindness for the rest of his life.
Wei Qi: "I don't ask to be born on the same day, month, and year, but I hope we die on the same day, month, and year!"
Wutong, who is planning to kill him, gives a bitter smile. "Why, thank you."
2.
Wei Qi, aggrieved: "You said I'd live to a hundred, but now you want to kill me?"
Wutong: "Oh, I won't kill you now."
Wei Qi: "Really?"
Wutong: "Really." (Thinking: It's too much trouble to kill him, so I'll let it go.)
Wei Qi hugs her happily. "I knew you cared about me."
3.
Wei Qi: "I have always kept public and private matters separate. I must focus on investigating the case and avoid getting distracted by romance."
Wutong: "I understand, but let go of my hand first."
*
Reader's notes:
1. Neither the main nor supporting characters are perfect. This story doesn't aim to make them flawless.
2. This is a fictional setting. The worldbuilding applies only to this story and isn't meant to be scrutinized. All names and titles in the story are fictional.
3. The female lead loves food and beautiful people, which is only natural. She adores all beautiful things, including beautiful people. That's one of the reasons she likes the male lead.
4. The male lead pursues love boldly and directly. The female lead is a little slow to recognize her feelings, but once she does, she'll be even bolder and more straightforward than he is.
5. Several side couples will get a fair amount of page time.
6. The story revolves around the female lead's background, and includes storylines beyond the investigations. It isn't strictly a case-of-the-week mystery.
7. The female lead has exceptionally sharp senses and immense strength, for reasons that are not innate and are tied to a secret.
8. The male lead is a little bitter melon, with various trauma-related aftereffects. The female lead steadies him, so he depends on her deeply, both emotionally and physically.
9. There will be occasional bonus scenes in the author's notes.
*
Thesis: What you see is not all there is
