Stealing You Away

Blurb:

[Male lead: outwardly cold and stern, but pure-hearted and devoted to his people x Female lead: a scheming, skilled physician with a black-lotus heart]

The third daughter of the Tao family, whose patriarch is Chancellor, is as lovely as a painting, with skin like cream. She is one of the greatest beauties in the capital.

Gentle and virtuous, blessed with great fortune, she is a concubine-born daughter whose noble fate earns her an imperial decree marrying her to Prince Gong.

It seems a match made in heaven, and everyone envies them.

Yet on the eve of the wedding, rumors begin to spread: the third daughter of the Tao family may have an undisclosed relationship with Liang Heng, Prince Gong's uncle, who is only a few years older than the prince...

A passerby crosses his legs, a watermelon seed shell stuck to his lips.

"That third daughter of the Tao family is no simple girl. I heard she stole her elder sister's good match.

And now she's got what she wanted, betrothed to the nephew while carrying on with the uncle. What a talent."

Another passerby clicks his tongue and drains his cup.

"Just the other day, I saw that third daughter of the Tao family sharing a boat and an umbrella with Liang Heng. They were so close, whispering cheek to cheek. If only I could live to see a royal uncle and nephew fight over the same woman, heh..."

Just then, the two people they were gossiping about walk out from behind the wall right in front of them.

The woman in question: ?

The male lead hears them, raises his sword-like brows, and lets a trace of killing intent show in his cold eyes as he smoothly draws half of his sharp sword.

The two passersby exchange a look, then flee as fast as their legs can carry them.

"Lord Liang, people are gossiping about us all over town. Why not keep your distance from Nanling?" Tao Nanling says with a raised brow and a cold laugh.

Liang Heng remains expressionless. "Did you have a hand, directly or indirectly, in the recent murders of court officials, Third Miss?"

Excerpt 1:

Liang Heng unfolds a silk handkerchief, pretending to ask casually, "Does this belong to you, Third Miss?"

Tao Nanling hesitates. "It is mine."

Liang Heng: "Can you smell anything?"

Tao Nanling feigns puzzlement and shakes her head.

Liang Heng: "The scent comes from Jade Bone Pills, each of which is worth a fortune in the martial world."

Tao Nanling's heart tightens, but her face remains impassive. Her red lips part. "I know nothing about it."

She thought the two of them would always be at odds, constantly suspecting one another. She never expected they would one day depend on each other for their lives.

Excerpt 2:

"I'll hold them off. Run when you get the chance, and don't look back!"

Rain pours down in torrents. The sky is dim and yellow, and raindrops as large as pebbles sting her skin.

Dressed in black, Liang Heng grips a sword in his right hand and shields Tao Nanling in his arms with his left, giving her a low warning.

Crows cry mournfully. Hooves thunder. The pursuers are nearly upon them.

"If we're lucky enough to survive today, I will be your only wife. If you die, I'll make sure you don't rest in peace even after death."

Her lips are blue with cold, her hands stiff. She presses herself deeper into his embrace to find warmth, her nose against the side of his neck as she breathes out white mist.

"You must survive... and marry me."

A warm drop falls on her neck. As she freezes in shock, the man who seems carved from ice lowers his head and presses a scorching kiss to her forehead.

Theme: Live toward the light