Gilded Pagoda

Wen Danruo was sold into the Cui household at the age of eleven.

When the Cui matriarch saw how refined and quick-witted she was, she assigned her to serve in the courtyard of her most beloved grandson, Cui Shaolin.

Danruo was always conscientious and dutiful in the Cui household, earning the respect of both the matriarch and the madam. Even the household's most cold-hearted young master, Cui Shaolin, treated her differently.

As Cui Shaolin approached the age of manhood, the Cui matriarch carefully considered her options and sent someone to ask Danruo what she wanted.

But Danruo fell to her knees and begged, unwilling to become the young master's concubine.

When Cui Shaolin heard about it, his face turned ashen.

The Cui family had been a distinguished clan for generations, and in Cui Shaolin's generation, he was undoubtedly the most outstanding young man in the family.

Countless young ladies from prominent families had fallen for him, yet he resented himself for longing for a servant girl in his courtyard who didn't even like him.

In a fit of frustration and anger, he went to his grandmother and said, "How could a lowly maid like Danruo be allowed near me?" As he turned to leave, he saw Danruo standing among the crowd, her little face deathly pale.

Later, Danruo saved enough money to buy her freedom and leave the household.

Cui Shaolin hurried back from the academy and said, "Once you leave the Cui household, you and I will have nothing more to do with each other."

Wen Danruo gave him a small curtsy, bowed to bid him farewell, and left without hesitation.

When they met again, he was a newly appointed presented scholar, while she had become a princess of the realm, honored with the title Jinyu.

When he heard the Empress was holding a banquet to find a husband for Princess Jinyu, Cui Shaolin showed up uninvited.

Seeing him, Danruo said, "I believe Young Master Cui is already engaged. Surely it is inappropriate for you to be here today."

She then ordered her servants to throw him out.

From then on, Cui Shaolin began his long road to winning her back...

One-on-one romance, happy ending. The male lead is not engaged to anyone.

Theme: Strive tirelessly