Springtime in Her Palm

A wealthy merchant in Jiangnan was targeted by an enemy and his entire family was slaughtered, leaving behind only one beautiful young woman. Whoever marries her will gain both a wife and a fortune.

With ten thousand gold to her name, Qiao Wan was a lone orphan without anyone to rely on. She couldn't protect her family's vast estate, but after enduring the mourning period with greedy wolves circling her, she followed her father's dying wish and went alone to the capital. She donated a million in family assets, all to beg His Majesty for a marriage decree that would place her under his protection.

In the great hall, Qiao Wan saw the man she should have married a year ago. He wore a jade crown and splendid robes embroidered with golden threads, but his gaze passed over her without the slightest flicker of emotion.

Only then did Qiao Wan learn that the person she'd saved was the Crown Prince. They were never meant to be together. Even the small bond between them had been forced into being. How could she have dared to hope?

She lowered her head and stopped looking at him. After the marriage decree was granted today, they would have no further connection. Besides, she had already chosen a suitable husband: Gu Chao'en, a general stationed at the border.

That night, someone barged into her room. The Crown Prince gripped her chin and demanded, "General Gu is ill. How could he satisfy you? Why not let me give you a wedding night instead?"

*

Qi Changyan loathed his father for lusting after beautiful women and allowing the Noble Consort to drive the Empress to her death. If he hadn't been lucky, he would have died without a whole corpse.

He should have sat regally on the throne, married a stiff and dull but generous and proper Crown Princess, and inherited the empire. Then he saw again the merchant's daughter who had almost married him.

Qiao Wan was stunning and charming, exactly the sort of woman he disliked most. But when he heard that she had requested a marriage decree to wed someone else, Qi Changyan suddenly clenched his hand.

Blood seeped from his palm. Only then did he realize that he'd fallen for her long ago.

If he'd fallen for her, then he would keep her locked by his side.

During the time they spent together day and night, his love had already sunk into his bones. On the day he gained the power of life and death, he planned to make her his consort.

But she ran away.

He hadn't imagined that a frail woman with no strength to defend herself could escape right under his nose. Facing the empty courtyard, Qi Changyan sneered. "She ran? Then bring her back."

But when he saw her again, she had become the pregnant Princess of Yan.

Qiao Wan leaned weakly against Prince Yan, looking at him with nothing but unfamiliarity in her eyes. She timidly called him, "Your Highness."

Murderous intent surged in him. "Wanwan, come here."

Possessive pursuit / groveling pursuit / pregnant runaway / amnesia

Male lead: Appears aloof and proud, but is actually sinister, unhinged, and willing to do anything

Theme: Enjoy life while you can