I Would Rather Be the Moon Over the Open Sea Than the Princess Consort of a Prince

My depression has relapsed after being cyberbullied, so updates are irregular. Thank you for understanding. Honestly, I really want to abandon this book, but it's a gift for my best friend, whose name also contains the character for "moon." In this novel, I've given her, a hopeless romantic, a different life.

So even if I have to cry while doing it, I'll finish revising and updating it. When I started this novel in July, I explained why I wanted to write it. That reason hasn't changed, and I'll see this project through.

Both leads are virgins, both are strong, and they're evenly matched. A clever merchant's daughter & a seemingly gentle but secretly ruthless prince

In this world, clear-eyed people have to struggle especially hard just to survive.

Wang Zhaoyue transmigrates into another world. At first, all she wants is to inherit her father's business, put her talents to good use, make a fortune, establish a household of her own, and keep handsome men. But circumstances are stronger than people, and to save her life, she has no choice but to get engaged to her older male cousin.

Who would have thought that disaster would strike his family? To repay the debt of having her life saved, she seeks help from Meng Changzhou, a young lord of the Marquis's household. He agrees to help, but demands that she give herself to him. Finding him handsome and very much to her taste, she gladly agrees to become his concubine. To her surprise, he turns sullen.

Meng Changzhou was born into a marquis's household and was made a prince at a young age. He is one of the most sought-after husbands in Bianjing, yet he falls hopelessly in love with a merchant's daughter. He uses every trick in the book to win her, and at last turns her from his friend's fiancee into the woman by his side.

But she would rather be his concubine than marry him, and keeps refusing to wed him. He tosses and turns at night, frets and grows jealous, but never gives up. He assumes she still has feelings for her older cousin, who placed first in the palace examination, until one day he secretly follows her to meet the cousin and is suddenly attacked.

Later, the daughter of a humble merchant becomes a "dragon slayer," and he becomes the sharpest sword in her hand...

Bonus Scene:

Meng Changzhou takes Wang Zhaoyue's delicate hand and draws her into his arms. In a low voice, he says, "My lady, stop looking at those account books and look at your husband instead. You haven't even spared me a proper glance these past few days."

Wang Zhaoyue lightly taps the abacus beads without looking up. "Be patient, my lord. Once I've checked the figures for the army's grain purchases, I'll spend some time with you."

At her words, Meng Changzhou's lips curl into a smile. He simply sits down beside her. "Then let me give you a hand."

A moment later, Wang Zhaoyue feels a warm hand at her waist and immediately scolds him. "Where are you putting your hand, my lord? Don't distract me while I'm doing the accounts!"

Meng Changzhou chuckles without replying, tightening his hold on her wrist instead.

Half an hour later, Wang Zhaoyue says, "My lord! Don't tear that..."

Before she can finish, Meng Changzhou captures her lips.

The entire manuscript is complete, so feel free to bookmark it and dive in. I'll be revising as I update.

Theme: I would rather be the moon rising over the sea than a cloud returning to the mountains. No matter the era, be independent and clear-minded. Don't be a clinging vine.