Bound at the Waist

On the eve of her night of service, A Chan accidentally learns that the emperor is gravely ill. She is about to become a disposable pawn in a succession plot.

If the emperor dies in his bed, whoever is attending him that night will not escape death.

Just as she is overcome with despair, she meets a strong, healthy man who bears some resemblance to the emperor.

He is Prince Qin, Xiao Yi, a highly esteemed war hero with immense power. He enjoys the emperor's deep trust and is currently staying at the palace retreat to recover from his injuries.

Prince Qin is cold and indifferent to women. A Chan dares not gamble on her ability to seduce him.

So she makes an even bolder decision.

On the night she is meant to attend the emperor, A Chan sneaks into Prince Qin's bed.

*

The situation changes overnight. The emperor dies, and Prince Qin becomes the new emperor.

One day in the empress dowager's palace, a toddler who can barely walk wraps his arms around Xiao Yi's leg. Looking up at him, the child calls out in a babyish voice, "Father!"

A Chan rushes over, terrified out of her wits. Unable to pull her son away, she can only crouch down and apologize.

Xiao Yi replies coolly, "It's all right."

Seeing this, the empress dowager sighs sadly. "The emperor and the late emperor were brothers. It's no wonder the child mistook him for his father."

Everyone else chimes in, flattering the new emperor by saying that the late emperor's young prince and the current emperor have a few features in common.

Xiao Yi feels something stir in his heart. He gently strokes the child's hair, but his eyes turn discreetly toward the woman hurrying to her feet, as if lost in thought.

Reader's note: This is not a typical story about a mother fleeing with her child. The leads were intimate before the heroine entered the imperial harem. Their relationship ended before she developed feelings for the hero, and there is a time gap between each relationship.

Coming soon:

"The Matchmaking Pressure"

As one of the most prestigious aristocratic families, the Duke of Dingguo's house has passed down its legacy for generations. Lu Heng, the heir, is noble-born and strikingly handsome. His family considers him a paragon of refinement, and he is the most sought-after husband among the noblewomen.

One day, an uninvited guest arrives at the estate. A delicate sixteen-year-old girl claims to be Lu Heng's betrothed and shows up with a handwritten letter from the late duke, demanding that the wedding go ahead.

The girl is beautiful and alluring, with a bewitching charm. She constantly tries to ingratiate herself with the heir, making her a truly unsuitable match.

Fortunately, the heir is dignified and self-possessed, and she fails to move him.

Jiang Yu lost both her parents at a young age and was raised in her uncle's home. Before he died, her uncle gave her a letter and instructed her to take her aunt and cousin to the capital and seek refuge with the Duke of Dingguo's family.

The Lu family only acknowledges the engagement to protect their reputation. Jiang Yu goes along with their wishes and stays in the household as a young lady of the family.

But her goal was never to marry Lu Heng, a man of lofty status. She only pretends to give way so the Lu family will feel a little guilty and find her another match.

The second branch's young master, Lu Xu, is gentle and mild-mannered, making him a more suitable husband.

Sure enough, seeing that she is willing to compromise, the Lu family agrees to arrange her marriage to Lu Xu.

Jiang Yu happily prepares to move out of the duke's estate and await her wedding.

On the night before she is due to leave, she finishes packing and is about to put out the lamp when a tall figure slips silently through the door.

Lu Heng, returned in a rush from a long journey, grips her wrist. His eyes are bloodshot and his voice hoarse as he asks, "A Yu, who are you going to marry?"

"Moonlight in the Spring Courtyard"

On the eve of her engagement, Jiang Jiao, the beloved daughter of the Marquis of Dingyuan, is jilted.

Her betrothed, a prince, turns around and chooses her delicate, lovely, and pitiful-looking cousin as his bride-to-be. Everyone who once envied Jiang Jiao's good fortune now watches her become a laughingstock.

Not long afterward, an imperial decree arrives at the Jiang family home, granting Jiang Jiao in marriage to Prince Qin.

Prince Qin is the emperor's younger brother, a celebrated war hero of noble status and striking looks. Though cold and distant, he is still the most desirable husband among the noblewomen.

Rumors claim Jiang Jiao resorted to shameful means to secure this marriage.

Prince Qin steps forward to dispel the rumors.

He personally requested the imperial decree granting them the marriage.

A little scene:

One day, Jiang Jiao gets drunk and wanders off, nearly falling prey to someone who tries to take advantage of her.

Fortunately, Prince Qin finds her.

Jiang Jiao is so drunk she can barely think and no longer recognizes anyone. The moment she sees Prince Qin, she praises his good looks.

The emperor, worried about his younger brother's marriage, recalls her bold claim from the past and teases her. "You said you would marry the most handsome man in the world. Do you still mean it?"

Prince Qin's face turns cold. He is about to stop his irresponsible older brother from asking such a question.

But Jiang Jiao has already nodded audaciously. "Of course!"

Ignoring his younger brother's icy expression, the emperor raises an eyebrow. "Do you have a token to prove it?"

The young woman searches herself from head to toe but can't find anything suitable. She turns and kisses Prince Qin on the cheek, her gaze hazy. "This counts, right?"

Just as the attendants nearby are about to drag away the bold young lady of the Jiang family, Prince Qin steps in to stop them.

His eyes dark, he says, "Jiang Jiao, remember to keep your word."

Theme: Your fate is always in your own hands