Spring Comes to Jingning

In the deep palace, people plot against one another like pieces on a chessboard. Only two lonely souls shine on each other, drawing warmth from one another.

Born to a palace maid, her mother dead when she was young, Princess Wen Jingning never received a title. Her early life was lonely and full of hardship.

When Chu Cong was sent to the State of Tan as a hostage at the age of ten, adrift and alone, only Wen Jingning treated him with kindness. Only she protected him.

Her foolish, unjust father fled the fallen capital with his family, leaving her behind.

Now a prisoner, Wen Jingning was demoted under the laws of the State of Jin to the lowest rank of palace servant. She couldn't understand why she had to pay for her father's sins when he had never shown her any kindness. She was unwilling, but powerless.

The ruler of Jin died, and the crown prince fell in battle. Chu Cong was summoned to ascend the throne, but his position was not yet secure. The Empress Dowager controlled the court, and the maternal relatives held power. As a temporary measure, he could only order Wen Jingning to serve at his side.

A fallen princess reduced to the lowest rank, bullied and humiliated by palace servants. As a child, she'd barely survived in the palace, always on edge. This was no different.

He saw how timid and cautious she was. After making inquiries and investigating the matter, he had everyone who had humiliated and bullied her slaughtered.

He protected and cherished her. Their feelings were mutual, and night after night he made love to her, turning her into a bewitching beauty...

Until one night, drunk and acting wildly, he pulled her into his arms. "A Ning and I are the same kind of person."

His jade crown had long since fallen away. His dark hair spilled loose, and the strings of beads on the bronze curtain hooks chimed. The apricot-red silk curtains grew damp.

A cold midnight breeze swept in with the lingering rain and snuffed out the candles. With warm pillows and blankets, and the beaded curtain damp to the touch, he promised softly in her ear, "I will be faithful to A Ning until death."

His words broke off as their bodies pressed closer. "I want us to share a bed and a grave. A thousand years from now, when grave robbers break into the imperial tomb, I want them to see that even our bones lie together."

When Wen Jingning was captured, all she had hoped for was a general amnesty someday, so she could leave the palace. Whether she lived or died after that, she would accept it happily.

Now, on the day of the amnesty, he refused to let her leave. He cared for her in every way, attentive to her every need.

She had never dared trust anyone or give her heart away. Now, she wanted nothing more than to share a tender, loving life with him.

Story notes:

1. One-on-one romance, both leads' first relationship, happy ending.

2. The male lead loves and protects only the female lead throughout. No angst in their relationship.

Theme: What day is it today, that I should meet someone so dear?