Reborn into a second life, Yuan Zhen set two goals for herself: save herself, and save Pei Xun.
Pei Xun was the youngest third-place scholar in the empire, and would go on to become its youngest chancellor. He was noble and brilliant, with extraordinary talent, yet he died at the hands of the treacherous villains around him.
In her previous life, she had only met him a few times, yet he was willing to brave the snow to gather her remains, sparing her the miserable fate of being left to rot in the wilderness.
In this life, Yuan Zhen was willing to put herself in harm's way and become the person closest to him, all to eliminate every danger around him once and for all.
*
It was only when Yuan Zhen came to him with a divorce agreement she had written before their wedding that Pei Xun realized she had never loved him. Everything she had done was simply to save him.
Under her gaze, brimming with anticipation, he slowly wrote his name.
"Where will you go now?"
"Yangzhou." Yuan Zhen carefully put away the divorce agreement and smiled, relaxed and carefree. "May we part on good terms and each find happiness. I wish you success and prosperity in the years ahead."
Pei Xun smiled and agreed. After watching her leave, he turned around and asked the emperor for an order appointing him to a post in Yangzhou.
*
Note:
1. One-on-one romance, happy ending, no groveling arc.
2. An alternate setting with plenty of creative liberties.
January 22, 2025
Theme: Time passes quickly, so cherish the person by your side
