After My Archrival Became a Caged Bird

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[Possessive, domineering patriarchal daddy gong x restrained, resolute, flirtatious beauty]

Everyone knew that Gu Xuanlin and Xiao Lan were like a vicious dog and a mad dog.

They traded barbs in court, each wishing they could devour the other whole.

Yet beside the carriage after court, Gu Xuanlin always managed to intercept that slender figure, his fingertips brushing Xiao Lan's fair wrist.

"Imperial Tutor, it's bitterly cold. Why not come warm yourself at my residence?"

Xiao Lan pulled his hand away and wiped it against Gu Xuanlin's waist, expressionless. "Your Highness's wine keeps me there all night. This official can't take it."

Gu Xuanlin watched him walk away, sniffing the lingering fragrance on his fingers, his eyes dark and cold.

It didn't matter.

The more delicious the prey, the more patience it took to hunt.

Gu Xuanlin's hunt progressed slowly and methodically.

Until, at a sordid banquet one night, he discovered that his prey was covered in wounds.

At last, Gu Xuanlin lost his patience.

He took Xiao Lan back to his residence and locked him in a room. For a time, everyone lamented that the cool and dignified Imperial Tutor had become a bird in a cage.

But the person they all pitied had just finished a bowl of sweet soup in the most comfortable room in the prince's residence. Belly bared, he was fast asleep, snoring softly.

Gu Xuanlin reached out and straightened his rumpled underclothes, covering the suggestive marks all over his body.

His eyes were pitch-black as he gazed at the soft cheek squished against Xiao Lan's face.

So much for cool dignity. So much for chaste self-restraint.

Gu Xuanlin chuckled softly.

He straightened Xiao Lan's crooked head, running a fingertip over his lips, still red and hot.

"A Lan."

"The world may gaze at the moon, but I will lock it in a cage."

[Bonus scene]

One day, Xiao Lan found a black armband in a hidden compartment by the head of the bed.

He compared it to Gu Xuanlin's size. It must be his.

Holding it up, he asked, "Your Highness, why is an archery armband in here?"

Gu Xuanlin lowered his eyes, concealing their dark look, and casually moved closer. "That's not an armband."

Xiao Lan: "Hm?"

Looking into Gu Xuanlin's dark eyes, Xiao Lan suddenly understood.

He smiled, took it from him, and slipped it around his own ankle, giving it a little shake.

"I'll put it on and show my husband."

[Reading guide]

A tough, possessive dog who says one thing and means another x a clear-headed mad dog who carefully advances his plans (x)

A doting, patriarchal patriarch x a restrained, resolute, flirtatious beauty (yes)

Both are powerful, one-on-one. Tension and flirtation in the beginning, then sweet romance once they confess their feelings.

The political scheming is basic. The main point is romance, and everything serves the romance.

The shou will have a period of amnesia in the middle (some physical angst, but no infidelity). The gong takes him home and spoils him like a doting patriarch. (A healing, found-family romance, beloved by this down-to-earth author.)

The narrative perspective follows the needs of the plot. Since the shou loses his memory midway through, the novel is primarily told from the gong's perspective.

The author has a 2G connection, never goes online, doesn't understand fandom, and is practically a caveman.

"The cover was drawn by my good friend Yuanyuan. Thanks, my friend!"

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