[Honest and resilient × dark and unhinged]
*
Wen Shuyao made a terrible mistake.
After years of wandering, she had finally returned to her family as the legitimate daughter of a Minister of Rites. All she wanted was to care for her ailing father and fulfill her filial duties, then live out the rest of her days in peace
But her father's concubine was determined to marry her into the Duke's household. The duke's wife was ruthless and rigid, and life after marriage would surely be a struggle.
Her legal mother was missing, and once her father passed away, her half-brother would inherit all the family wealth. There would be no one to stand up for her.
Trapped in a den of tigers, Wen Shuyao was finally pushed to her limit. She gritted her teeth and found a storyteller, then spun a torrid love affair between herself and Prince Rui, who had supposedly died in battle on the frontier.
But... the storyteller was cold and distant, and there was something strange and clingy in the way he looked at her.
She was secretly delighted. Good, he didn't talk much. This was the sort of thing that absolutely couldn't get out. Everything was under control!
Sure enough, the story was full of tender romance and made plenty of young ladies blush. The theatrical troupe started performing it too, and rumors of the couple's deep devotion spread throughout the capital.
The marriage alliance with the duke's household was completely off the table.
Until one day, as Wen Shuyao was happily buying costumes and props, her maid's panicked voice rang out.
“Something terrible has happened, miss!”
“What has you so flustered?”
“Prince Rui is alive! He returned to the capital this morning and was named regent. He also said he would personally...”
“Pay a visit to our Minister's residence.”
Wen Shuyao's vision went black, and she nearly fainted.
*
Prince Rui, Yin Zhan, held power over the court. Handsome and noble, disciplined and courteous, he was a royal aristocrat beyond anyone's reach.
Except that he fell into the hands of a country girl.
After the effects of the aphrodisiac incense wore off, the girl wept as she told him she was all alone and had no choice but to claim he was her husband.
Yin Zhan knew they were worlds apart and had no intention of getting involved with her. He decided to keep quiet for now. Once he found out who had drugged him, he would reveal his identity and give her some money so she could make her own way.
But she had already vanished without a trace, leaving not even a letter.
After that, Yin Zhan kept dreaming of her radiant face, of her soft voice calling him “husband.” His heart would tremble and ache, and he could no longer control himself...
He swore he would find that audacious country girl.
Then, outside a bookstore in the capital, a lively figure in pink dashed into the rain. She grabbed his injured arm first, mistaking him for the storyteller.
“Sir, this matter is extremely confidential. Please come back to my residence with me so we can discuss it.”
Yin Zhan recognized her at a glance.
So it wasn't just her identity. Even her name was fake!
The handsome face hidden beneath his mask seemed to shatter bit by bit. His gaze darkened, and he said coldly, “All right.”
1. One-on-one romance, both leads' first love, happy ending.
2. Blurb screenshot dated May 30, 2026.
Cover art authorized by Paigu Xiaobao.
Theme: Overcome adversity and make a life for yourself
