The Floating World

(Complete. Next up: The Delicate Hand Breaks a New Orange)

Of the many dynasties in history, the Great Zhou was the most brilliant: vast territory, a thriving economy, a well-developed political system... and a distinctive culture of talented women.

Li Qi, who transmigrated into this world, was tormented by poetry, books, music, and the zither until she ended up as a tutor to girls from respectable families. Given the choice, she says she'd rather be a carefree layabout.

As a modern woman, Li Qi always thought this was a bleak era, at least for "them." Her greatest wish was to eat her fill and wait for death, without having to struggle, because there was no point.

But deep within the secluded courtyards, the women in their fine dresses and fragrant hair had not faded into insignificance. She heard stories from the past and new dreams that seemed like mist, and saw one fate after another drift by like falling flowers on flowing water. Only then did she realize:

The silence of history did not mean that they had submitted. Between the fine line separating the inner chambers from public life, they used their wit and imagination to create a world of their own.

Wu Zhongfu had an older girl he'd liked since childhood. He never hid it, but no one took him seriously, not even the girl herself.

But he never lost heart. Even after learning she had a fiancé, he remained full of fighting spirit. His demands included, but were not limited to:

When his sister went to see the lanterns with her fiancé, he had to sit between them.

When she ate with her fiancé, there had to be a seat for him too.

When she went on a date with her fiancé, he had to be there the whole time.

His sister always smiled and agreed to all his demands. But... could someone tell him why there was always a trace of... affection in her eyes?

One day, Wang Mingyi (Li Qi) suddenly walked into a room.

The desk, the walls, and the area by the windows were covered with portraits and letters of her. On a small table by the window sat an open sandalwood box, containing a few flower petals, a small piece of tortoiseshell... and several letters. Beside it lay a letter, the ink still wet, with the exact same contents as one she'd written to A Fu a while ago...

A noise suddenly came from outside the door. Mingyi's back went cold. A man's voice, much lower than usual, came from behind her.

"So this is where you are, Sister Ming. I've been looking everywhere for you."

#What do I do!? The little brat I've always treated like a kid seems to have inappropriate feelings for me QAQ

#How can a proper gentleman be like this behind closed doors (°ー°〃)

Older woman-younger man romance, four-year age gap

A hardworking heroine who loves to complain and is forced to fight for her future

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A calculating, high-level green tea who schemes to get ahead

Set in an imaginary late Ming and early Qing era. Slice of life, farming, and food

Coming Soon

The Delicate Hand Breaks a New Orange

The imperial harem is the emperor's grand garden. The emperor plants beautiful, clever young women there at whim, letting them take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit, or allowing them to wither away like dead branches and faded flowers. Many palace stories begin this way.

Su Tong, The Sandalwood Ball

Yu Shaowei has lived two lives, and her greatest wish is to have someone peel oranges for her.

Her maid looked at the fruit platter that had just been brought in, puzzled. "Would Your Highness like something else?"

The person reclining on the bed grew somber and shook her head.

Yu Shaowei considers herself responsible. So even though she suddenly transmigrated, and even though someone inexplicably left her with a child, she still took good care of him. The days in the palace were long and tedious, and her adopted son was fairly obedient. There was nothing wrong with living this way, with a loving mother and devoted son.

But

The young man kneeling before her looked disheveled. Yu Shaowei turned her face away, stunned. She had hit him and scolded him, so why wouldn't he give up? And when had those unspeakable thoughts of his begun?

"Why won't you look at me?"

The young man's voice was slightly hoarse. Yu Shaowei's heart skipped a beat, and she shut her eyes in embarrassment. He was right. She didn't dare look at him.

An outrageously sunny heroine × a hero so dark he seems like a ghost

A story about two people with mental issues falling in love

The heroine has no prior sexual experience; the hero does.

Six-year age gap between the leads

Theme: Don't view problems without regard for reality