The emperor has been bedridden with a chronic illness for years. The empress dowager rules the court, and her maternal family, the Feng clan, is at the height of its power.
The fate of Feng women is to marry into the imperial family and strengthen their clan's influence.
In her previous life, at seventeen, Feng Qingci married Xiao Li, Prince Xuan. During their eight years of marriage, they treated each other with respect and had two sons.
Though Xiao Li was a dissolute womanizer, he treated her very well.
But after the Feng clan fell and he seized the throne, he suddenly showed his true face.
Right in front of her, he hacked their two children to death with a sword, then forced her to take her own life.
Reborn, Feng Qingci cannot escape her fate and is forced to marry Xiao Li again, the man who pretends to be a fool.
At a loss, she breaks down sobbing on their wedding night.
After a long while, Xiao Li offers her a handkerchief. "A Ci, don't you remember me?"
Feng Qingci freezes. Is he trying to play on her feelings again?
She's not falling for that anymore.
Better to strike first than wait to die. And this is the perfect chance to avenge her previous life.
She has someone put poison in the soup, but Xiao Li brings it to her himself.
"Princess, I made this soup for you with my own hands. Drink it while it's hot."
Feng Qingci: He found out already? Looks like he's not going to be easy to deal with.
When she hears he's going boating with a dancer, Feng Qingci immediately has someone tamper with the boat to drown him.
But Xiao Li takes her by the arm. "If you aren't going, Princess, then I'm not going either!"
Feng Qingci gives up. Fine! Then we'll die together!
Her plan succeeds, and they both fall into the water. She stops struggling.
In a daze, she manages to see Xiao Li swimming toward her.
"A Ci, you mustn't die..."
Male Lead's Version:
Xiao Li: The Princess doesn't remember me? What a headache.
Maybe it's better that she doesn't.
Xiao Li: The Princess is unhappy. I'll make her some soup.
Attendant: The Princess had someone put poison in it...
Xiao Li: The Princess is unhappy again. Let's go boating.
Attendant: The Princess had someone tamper with the boat...
Xiao Li: Sob, sob. The Princess cares about me so much. She must have feelings for me!
P.S.
1. Fictional setting, with a mix of influences.
2. In his previous life, the male lead had concubines and was not sexually inexperienced. In this life, both leads are.
3. There were no misunderstandings in their previous life. The male lead really did kill his own children and force the female lead to her death.
(Blurb saved on 2025.12.20)
Theme: Small acts of love can nurture a family; great love knows no bounds.
