Smoke Veils the Palace Walls

A sudden snowfall traps Li Yanxiu in a thatched hut in the mountains.

The herb-gatherer opens the door. "Young master, come in and shelter from the snow and wind."

One glance lasts a lifetime; they pledge themselves to each other.

Before leaving, Li Yanxiu promises, "Wait for me. I'll come marry you in May."

Su Ye waits and waits. May passes, but the man who promised to marry her never comes.

Only after she has married someone else does she learn that in the capital, power struggles are treacherous, and he is trapped in a perilous situation, treading on thin ice.

When they meet again, the empress introduces them:

"This is the ninth prince, Prince Zhao, Li Yanxiu."

"And this is the new Consort Su, recently taken by your father, the emperor."

**

A secret message arrives from Zhaoye Temple: Dowager Consort Su, who is praying for the late emperor, has been meeting a man in secret late at night.

The empress dowager is furious and goes to Zhaoye Temple herself to catch them in the act.

"Seize this pair of adulterers, "

The empress dowager sees the man in bed and nearly faints.

Reader's guide: While the late emperor was alive, the male and female leads never crossed the line. The female lead is not the male lead's first love. There is a little coercive romance.

The author's profile has short stories available for monthly subscription:

"Mist Over the Palace Walls" (Consort × Prince)

"Heartbeat Code" (CP drips onto the campus heartthrob)

"Watching Her" (Rekindled love + brothers at war over her)

"Accidental Heartbeat" (Mutual pining)

"The CEO Falls for a Country Girl Like Me" (Everyday life full of memes)

"Waking Up in an Idol's Bed" (Love at first night)

Theme: Love has never changed