How Can a Princess Behave Like That?

[Bright Princess] X [Cool, Aloof Minister]

Princess Zhaoyang is the most renowned woman in the Dayan Dynasty. She can defend the country and bring peace to its people with her martial prowess, and assist the young emperor with her literary talents. She is deeply loved by the common people. Her life has been smooth sailing, except when it comes to marriage, where she has had one misfortune after another.

The princess has considered three marriage prospects. The first time, she had only just picked out a portrait of a young man when he was thrown into prison the very next day.

The second time, she had only just picked out a portrait when the young man's entire family was wiped out the next day.

The third time, she had only just picked out a portrait when the young man died an unnatural death the next day, bringing an old case to light in the process.

A rumor spread through the court: If you have a grudge against someone, just submit a portrait of one of his family's young men to the princess.

One day, the Ministry of Rites presented another batch of portraits, and the princess ordered her maid to open them. There was only one portrait inside: that of Jiang Muhe, the newly appointed Minister of Revenue. A long-buried matter of the heart was laid bare. Shocked and furious, the princess led her people to the Ministry of Rites to demand an explanation. "Who dared choose Minister Jiang's portrait?"

Behind the door, a man turned around. His purple robe swept through the air, and his eyes were deep as ink. "I did."

"This subject is so bold as to have admired Your Highness for a long time."

"Little Scene"

After learning that Jiang Muhe was engaged, Zhao Xi had a dream in which she "forcibly took a man for herself." When she woke, Zhao Xi spent a long time reflecting on her behavior. Seeing the princess lost in thought, her maid asked what was wrong, so Zhao Xi explained.

But the maid thought that, as a princess of noble birth, she could naturally "forcibly take a man for herself."

Zhao Xi spoke in astonishment, her eyes gleaming green. "How could a princess do such a thing?"

*

1. This is a fictional setting, and elements from different eras may be mixed together. Please don't get hung up on historical accuracy. 2. "How could one do such a thing?" means "How could anyone do that?" 3. There is a seven-year age gap. This is a sweet romance, the heroine has a growth arc, and the hero's madness is not extreme. 4. Both leads have their own engagements, but the hero remains faithful to the heroine from beginning to end. Everyone in the story gets what they deserve, good or bad.

Promotion Corner

Song Yanxi is the daughter of a county magistrate. One day she disappears, and when the magistrate finds her, she is lying beside a strange man, both of them in disarray. With no other choice, the magistrate arranges for the two to marry.

At first, Song Yanxi dislikes him, but one look at his face softens her dislike a little. Then she receives a letter from him, and her dislike fades by six more parts.

The pair are well matched in looks and talent, and live together in harmony. It makes for a lovely story.

But good things never last.

Her husband, whose family was humble, turns out to be the young son of the Marquis of Changping, who had been living outside the family. After he returns to his ancestral home, she goes with him to the capital.

The Marquis of Changping's family is of extremely high status, and she, the daughter of a seventh-rank county magistrate, is truly marrying above her station.

Song Yanxi endures her mother-in-law's provocations and the servants' contempt, until her considerate husband says he wants to marry another woman from a prominent family.

Jiang Ciliu: "The two of you will be equal wives. Axu, you know that I love only you. Marrying her is just a temporary measure."

Only then does Song Yanxi understand that she, too, has been nothing more than a "temporary measure" to him.

Once she sees the truth, she leaves a divorce agreement and returns to Pingyang County. But an accident occurs on the way, and she falls from her carriage.

When she wakes again, her memories have returned to a year before she first met her husband. She has forgotten him and remembers only her childhood sweetheart.

Seeing the childhood sweetheart she has not met in so long, Song Yanxi exclaims, "Brother, you're back?"

Song Chengshu smiles gently. "You were having fun and lost track of time, Yan Niang. I came to take you home."

Song Yanxi nods without suspicion. "All right."

*

Jiang Ciliu has always known what he wants. He stops at nothing to gain power, even getting Song Yanxi to marry him.

He gets his wish and returns to the marquis's residence to inherit the title. He also knows that the marquis's second branch will not give up without a fight. To secure this hard-won position, he has no choice but to seek support from outside the family. As it happens, the recently widowed County Lady Changning has feelings for him, and the two hit it off.

He thinks Song Yanxi has always put the greater good first, and that making her an equal wife with the county lady is already an honor.

He never expects Song Yanxi to leave a divorce agreement and walk away.

After seeing the agreement, the usually composed Jiang Ciliu tears it to shreds and snarls, "If anyone is going to write one, it won't be you."

Jiang Ciliu hurries back to Pingyang, travel-worn, only to see Song Yanxi flying a kite with someone else.

The smile on her face is brighter than before. Her red dress is more vivid than blood, and even the jade rings at her waist chime out a beautiful tune.

Song Yanxi retrieves the kite, and their eyes meet. She quickly looks away, but he keeps staring at her.

Song Yanxi clearly notices his gaze too. "What kind of rake are you, and where did you come from?"

Jiang Ciliu only smiles and takes two steps toward her. "I have taken a fancy to you, young lady. May I ask if you are married?"

Song Yanxi blushes and calls him a scoundrel, then turns and walks off with Song Chengshu. She stops, however, by the plum tree at the corner.

Jiang Ciliu's smile deepens as he remembers that her face was just as red on their wedding day.

Watching them walk farther and farther away, Jiang Ciliu grits his teeth. She should be standing only by his side, just as the Marquis of Changping's title should belong only to him.

If not, he will simply take her back.