Everyone knows the Grand Princess and the Imperial Tutor are having an affair.
Some have even seen the Imperial Tutor hurry out of the Grand Princess's residence before dawn, clothes disheveled and cheeks flushed.
The young emperor thinks arranging their marriage would be the best way to quiet the gossip around the kingdom.
But before the imperial decree can be issued, the Grand Princess disappears.
Shang Yuanning gets wind of the news in advance and flees to avoid the arranged marriage.
On the way, she meets a handsome young man.
Smitten by his looks, she tricks him into becoming hers.
The two live together in perfect harmony, making a lovely couple. Later, when she tires of him, she leaves him a divorce letter while he's away in the capital to sit the imperial examination, then fakes her death and vanishes.
But by a twist of fate, she ends up in bed with the drugged Young General Wei.
The next morning, the young general blushes, takes her hand, and promises to take responsibility for her.
Looking at his handsome, guileless face, Shang Yuanning pretends to be demure and returns with him to the general's residence.
She simply avoids going out, afraid she'll run into the Imperial Tutor.
But then Young General Wei uses his military achievements to secure her a noble title from the emperor and asks him to grant them a marriage decree.
Realizing she has taken things too far, Shang Yuanning sneaks into the palace, only to collide with the newly appointed top scholar.
His eyes redden as he grips her wrist tightly and softly calls her "Yuanniang."
Shang Yuanning frowns. This is the handsome young man she'd pursued on sight.
Before she can say, "You've got the wrong person," Young General Wei rushes over and shoves him aside, shielding her behind him.
"Ning'er is my betrothed. Show some respect, Top Scholar."
Over his shoulder, Shang Yuanning spots the Imperial Tutor behind him, his face dark, and the young emperor looking utterly shocked.
[Bonus Scene]
The emperor has been plagued with headaches lately. One after another, memorials accusing the Grand Princess keep arriving.
"Your Majesty, there's a problem! Young General Wei and the Top Scholar are fighting outside!"
The young emperor rubs his temples. "What started the fight?"
"It seems to be because of the Grand Princess..."
The two men speak at the same time from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to do me justice."
"I accuse the Grand Princess of seducing me and then abandoning me!"
The young emperor says nothing, but a chill runs through him. He looks up and sees the Imperial Tutor's icy face, dark as a pot's bottom.
The young emperor thinks: Big Sister, you've really gone too far. I'm afraid I can't protect you this time.
Inside the princess's residence, Shang Yuanning is calmly reading a storybook when she suddenly hears:
"Your Highness, there's a problem! Your admirers are fighting!"
Reader's Guide:
1. Fictional setting with original worldbuilding. Please don't nitpick.
2. One woman and multiple men, with a romantic rivalry. The female lead has no sexual history; the male leads are sexually inexperienced.
2025.4.5
Theme: Those who never forget will surely be answered.
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