[A seemingly fragile but actually ruthless maid x a seemingly cold but actually scheming and secretly flirtatious heir from a prominent family]
[Love by force + a groveling chase to win her back + a powerful man brought to his knees]
Also known as Two Springs
Mingyi was merely a lowly maid in the Marquis of Yongan's household, but she was quite pretty. Thanks to her looks, she was assigned to the courtyard of the marquis's third young master, becoming a second-class maid there.
As the saying goes, "The one nearest the water gets the moon first." But the third young master was hopelessly oblivious to romance. Every day, he was surrounded by a beauty who looked like a celestial maiden, yet he managed to remain unmoved. Everyone in the courtyard could look but not touch, and all they could do was sigh in envy.
Mingyi had no ambition to become a concubine or marry into wealth. She only hoped to save enough money to buy back her freedom so she could leave the household and make a living on her own.
One time, while drunk, the third young master mistook her for the cousin who had been his childhood sweetheart and forcibly took her!
After that, he no longer looked at her with the same innocent eyes. Yet whenever they met beneath the red gauze curtains, the third young master always avoided Mingyi's gaze, because her eyes were the most like his cousin's.
With no title or status, Mingyi became the third young master's woman.
Until he became engaged to his cousin. After that, the third young master never sought her out at night again.
Mingyi knew it was time for her to leave!
...&...
Zhu Yan had always thought his marriage was nothing more than a transaction between families. That is, until the reckless little maid stumbled into his arms. From then on, he could never take his eyes off her.
One drunken night, and it all began.
Zhu Yan told himself that she was only a maid. How could she possibly sway him?
Once his primary wife entered the household, he would raise the maid to the rank of concubine. That was already the greatest favor he could grant her.
But on a hazy, rainy night, Zhu Yan realized he could no longer find that familiar figure... His heart sank, and grief tore him apart.
Zhu Yan realized that for all his cleverness, he had never seen through his own heart.
But Mingyi was already gone! She had vanished without a trace, taking her contract of servitude with her.
"Mingyi, if I can't find you in a year, I'll look for three years, then ten. If you're dead, then even your flesh and bones belong to me."
...&...
P.S. 1. A melodramatic story with a slice-of-life feel.
2. Definitely one-on-one, both leads' first time, groveling chase to win her back, happy ending.
Theme: Be brave and express your feelings.
