Entwined Jade Branches

As the selection of consorts approached, the palace summoned a daughter of the Xie family to enter the palace. The Crown Prince was still unmarried, so this was a wonderful opportunity. The Xie family might even produce an Empress and rise to the top.

But the Immortal Taibai read the Xie girl's fate and declared that if she did not enter Zhiyuan, disaster would plunge the realm into chaos.

His words sent shockwaves through the capital.

What was Zhiyuan?

It was the residence of Qi Xuan, the current deposed Crown Prince. He was the Emperor's fourth son, born of the late Empress, and of noble, legitimate lineage.

But years ago, he had committed a terrible crime, driving the Empress mad. She took her own life, and the Emperor stripped him of his title as Crown Prince.

Now confined to Zhiyuan, he was a broken man.

They said that after years of living in dark confinement, Qi Xuan had become less than human. His face was horribly disfigured, and he wore a ghost mask all day, like a madman bent on claiming lives.

Entering Zhiyuan meant having one foot in the grave.

When the girls of the Minister's residence heard that a daughter of the Xie family was to enter Zhiyuan, they wailed and fought among themselves, each pushing the others forward. None of them was willing to go.

At that moment, Fifth Miss Xie, Xie Yuzhi, who had been raised away from the family, was brought back to the capital. The Xie family saw their chance.

And so Xie Yuzhi was duly entered on the list.

*

Xie Yuzhi did not care which prince she was bestowed upon. Even if a madman lived in Zhiyuan, she was willing to marry Qi Xuan.

There was something she had to do in this palace. More than death, she feared leaving her wish unfulfilled.

In the cold, shadowy Zhiyuan, Xie Yuzhi quietly pushed open the palace gates.

It was the first time Qi Xuan had ever seen a young woman like her. A striking red mole sat beneath her eye, and when she smiled, she seemed to gather all the moonlight, bright and dazzling.

Could such a thing exist in his Zhiyuan?

Qi Xuan crooked a finger with a sinister smile, seized Xie Yuzhi by the chin, and dragged her close. His grip was so hard that red marks instantly appeared on her pale, jade-white face.

"You want to die."

"Of course not. I want to live to a hundred."

A ghost mask filled her view, and Xie Yuzhi shrank back. She grabbed the hand gripping her throat. "Besides, Your Highness's hand is so cold."

Her own hand was warm, while his was as cold as a corpse's.

Qi Xuan stroked Xie Yuzhi's neck with interest. "Now that you're here, I'll keep you locked up for the rest of your life."

"That's wonderful. Then let's both live to a hundred, Your Highness!"

Xie Yuzhi smiled brightly.

Qi Xuan had never imagined a day like this could come, when pure moonlight would shine upon him. For the rest of his life, he would follow her and long for her.

Whatever it took, even if he had to imprison the moon, even if he had to keep her locked up, he no longer wanted to let go.

Gentle, resilient little sun × yandere madman, the deposed Crown Prince

Reader's guide:

1. One-on-one romance, both leads sexually inexperienced, sweet and indulgent romance

2. A story about a heroine searching for the truth, only to end up saving the hero along the way

3. Cover art by Zhou Ying, from Guangming Ding

Theme: Love and respect for each other are what make a relationship last