How to Drive a Gentle Man Mad

Here's a recommendation for my new novel, The Demoness Becomes Queen: The sensitive only daughter of a general's family vs. a wayward hegemon. Blurb below!

Pseudo-siblings + mutual redemption + chasing his wife

During the days she was forced to live in the residence of the Northern Court Military Commissioner, Meng Ling was lucky enough to be rescued by her sworn brother and escape her cage.

Her sworn brother was noble and refined, gentle and courteous, and always granted her every request.

Except for one.

On the Little New Year's Eve, she lit a lamp and made a wish, confessing her deep affection.

Her sworn brother listened, then rebuked her sternly.

He even left without a word to avoid her.

Xie Yunjing had once been a close aide to the emperor. But after being framed by a treacherous minister, he became an exiled criminal official, and everyone at court hoped he would die.

Only Meng Ling cared for him and worried about him.

After several twists and turns, he had finally decided to accept her sincere feelings, but then he suddenly fell gravely ill and had no choice but to leave.

When they met again, he watched her fall into her betrothed's arms with his own eyes.

Grinding his teeth, he snapped the fan in his hand.

That night, she came to him in the rain and invited him to Jiangnan to drink at her wedding.

He smiled and agreed, then stood by the window with his hands at his sides, listening to the rain all night until he understood one thing.

If she was going to marry, she could only marry him.

Reader's Guide:

1. A bittersweet romance that begins with the two meeting.

2. One-on-one romance, both leads are sexually inexperienced.

3. Set in a fictional dynasty inspired by the Tang. No need to nitpick the history.

P.S. The blurb may change from time to time, but the story won't, so settle in and enjoy!

The Demoness Becomes Queen

The sensitive only daughter of a general's family vs. a wayward hegemon

Lin Su is the only daughter of the Xiang State's Grand General, beloved by her family and blessed with stunning beauty.

But at the tender age of sixteen, she was cursed: anyone she touched would bleed at best or lose their soul at worst. Branded a demoness, she was shunned by everyone.

When she turned eighteen, her father used his political influence to force her into marriage with the newly appointed top scholar.

On her wedding day, golden light stretched across the land, red silk extended for miles, and the bride stepped over the brazier.

But dark clouds gathered, and the Yan army, hegemon of the region, swept south and stormed the city.

Lin Su was abducted.

The Yan ruler, Yan Zefeng, was strikingly handsome, with bright eyes, yet ruthless and infamous for his cruelty. His invincible Yan army had made him the undisputed ruler of the region.

In the spring of Hongde's third year, Yan Zefeng was defeated at Mount Wuyi and swore to avenge his humiliation.

That autumn, as Xiang State was filled with celebration, he marched straight to its capital, broke through the city walls, and seized the general's daughter.

She was gone for five years.

The people grieved, lamenting her tragic fate, yet rejoiced that Heaven had finally taken the demoness.

Over the next five years, Yan Zefeng won battle after battle. After the King of Xiang surrendered, he finally unified the realm.

After the new ruler ascended the throne, the emperor and empress held a sacrificial ceremony. Someone mentioned the demoness from the general's residence.

Some said the Yan ruler was bloodthirsty, and must have killed the demoness to vent his rage.

Others said the two nations were enemies, so she must have been tortured until she was no longer recognizable.

The officials stood in rows before the altar.

The eunuch's call rang out, announcing the arrival of the emperor and empress. Everyone craned their necks, only to see the new empress, dignified and magnificent.

It was that demoness from the Lin family!

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Then someone asked, "Why isn't the new ruler here for the sacrificial ceremony?"

Someone with sharp eyes nudged them and said, "There! He's holding up the new empress's train!"

Theme: Reborn from the mire.