I Faked My Death Overnight Before My Childhood Friend Ascended the Throne

[Complete, with thanks to everyone for your support!]

Blurb:

By imperial decree, Cheng Shenzhi, heir to the Prince of Annan, married his childhood sweetheart, Ning Luan, daughter of the prime minister.

Everyone said they were a match made in heaven, a pair of immortals destined for one another.

But on their wedding night, the two rummaged through their trunks for paper and ink, then laid down three rules in the bridal chamber: "We each live our own lives. Let's start fresh!"

War broke out on the border, and the emperor sent Cheng Shenzhi to the front with a single decree.

Before he left, Ning Luan fastened his armor for him. "If you die, I'll take the family fortune and find someone else."

He gave a cold laugh and mounted his horse, but after ten days of nonstop travel, her words still rankled.

Three years later, Cheng Shenzhi returned in glory, covered in military honors.

At a palace banquet, a poisoned arrow whistled through the air. Ning Luan stepped in front of Cheng Shenzhi. Her fine robes were stained with blood, and she was barely breathing, yet she managed a smile.

"Now... we can both be free. You must be happy, right?"

After the new emperor ascended the throne, others saw only a ruler who worked tirelessly to govern and cared for his people. They had no idea he went mad with longing every night, consumed by lovesickness.

Then one day, a spy came to report:

"The mysterious proprietor of Wangchun House looks exactly like the late empress in her portrait..."

[Coming soon: "The Pearl That Was Never Tarnished," my next novel~]

In her previous life, Ning Shu was the brightest jewel in the Northern Qing Prince's household. But after three foolish infatuations, she became the laughingstock of the capital overnight.

The first was the aloof and proud Vice Minister Gu.

He had placed first in all three imperial examinations and was the most talented man in the capital, the ideal husband every young noblewoman dreamed of.

Ning Shu had no interest in poetry, yet fell for him at first sight. She lingered at the academy day after day, using requests for guidance as an excuse to approach the young prodigy.

But Vice Minister Gu brushed the carefully composed poem she had brought to him onto the ground without even asking what it was. His words were full of disdain. "My meager talent cannot appreciate such crude verses. I ask that the commandery princess conduct herself with dignity."

The second was General Wei, who returned victorious from the northwest.

Handsome and formidable, his illustrious military record made him a brutal god of slaughter whose name struck fear into all who heard it.

On the day the war ended in victory, the young general rode past in silver armor, stirring every young lady in the capital.

Ning Shu fussed over him with a beaming smile, just hoping to hear a few more entertaining stories from his time in the army.

General Wei frowned, drew his blade, and cut down the treasured sword tassel she had offered him. "My sword cannot bear the commandery princess's affection. Please take it back."

The third was the unpredictable Seventh Prince.

He was secretive and solitary, but he and Ning Shu could talk about anything.

Ning Shu thought they knew each other inside and out and loved each other in return. Surely nothing could go wrong this time.

But before the ink on the imperial marriage decree had even dried, the Seventh Prince broke into the palace at night and knelt before the emperor until dawn. "Your son loves another. I beg Your Majesty to revoke the decree!"

After more than ten years as childhood sweethearts, it turned out she had been in love alone.

Three times she offered her heart, and three times she was left in a humiliating mess.

On the night of the Double Seventh Festival, Ning Shu made a solemn wish beneath the tree of destiny. As she turned around in a daze, she heard the whole city laughing at her foolishness and presumption.

If she had another chance, she, Ning Shu, would never make the same mistakes again!

But when she lived her life over, everything changed:

Vice Minister Gu poured his heart into writing poems for her, gathering armfuls of drafts as he anxiously waited day and night for her to read them.

General Wei tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and was even willing to perform street tricks with an imperial sword, just to see her smile.

The Seventh Prince went so far as to lure her into a trap and confine her in a secluded palace hall, all to get her to write a marriage contract with her own hand.

It turned out that all those things in the past hadn't meant the pearl was hidden beneath dust. It was simply that they...

were never worthy of her love.

Bonus scene:

In the stillness of the night, Ning Shu sank into a deep sleep amid the sweet, heavy scent of incense.

A man wearing a hideous ghost mask slipped silently inside. His cool fingertips lingered over her red lips, then traced the gentle curve of her neck.

"Why... is there never any room for me in your eyes?"

Theme: Work hard when you're at the age to strive.