Brotherly Devotion

Everyone knows that Noble Consort Zhuang was married once before, and had a daughter before entering the palace.

A Yun was that unwanted child.

At eight years old, A Yun was sent into the imperial palace by an edict, to comfort the noble consort after she lost her son. The palace servants respectfully called her a princess, but behind her back they laughed that she was just a toy the emperor used to amuse his beauty.

A Yun was precocious. She knew that in this place where people devoured one another, she had to find someone powerful to protect her.

The noble consort didn't love her, and the emperor ignored her. She needed someone, someone who could keep her safe and stop others from bullying her.

She chose the crown prince, that radiant and noble older brother.

"Brother Crown Prince." She lifted her young face, trying to fill it with adoration.

She concealed every sharp edge and pretended to be the most obedient flower in his palm, the gentlest bird in his cage. All she wanted was a little kindness from him in exchange for a safe haven.

She played her part too well. The tenderness in the crown prince's eyes gradually took on a possessive madness.

Until she accepted the imperial decree to marry into a distant foreign land. That night, a golden chain was locked around her ankle.

He kissed the corner of her frightened eye, his voice so tender it trembled. "Good A Yun, didn't you promise to always listen to your brother?"

A Yun suddenly remembered that many years ago, the boy who had shielded her from the emperor's fury had also held her tightly, trembling.

"Have you gone mad..."

When her brother's lips touched her neck, she closed her eyes. A twisted sense of peace rose in her heart.

Maybe this was for the best. As long as her brother continued to love her, even if that love rotted like mud, she would accept it willingly.

[12-year age gap, both leads are sexually pure. The heroine is a princess in name only and is not registered in the imperial clan's genealogy. She has a different surname from the hero and is not related to him by blood or family ties.]

Theme: Fight to stay alive