Delicate Frown

A delicate, pampered Han noblewoman fallen on hard times, who has never lifted a finger × an exotic hero with impossibly high standards and a weakness for pretty faces

Blurb

The capital fell, and a new ruler took over.

Unfortunately, he and his people were outsiders.

The old dynasty's nobles became prisoners, and Dai Lu went from being a Han noblewoman to a servant in the household of a powerful outsider clan.

Her skin was fine and delicate, her face as fair as jade, and the moment she arrived she caught the eye of the second prince of the Tuoba family.

He was a lecher, cruel to his wives and concubines, and always eager to replace them with someone new.

Now he wanted to take Xie Dailu as well.

By contrast, the third prince of the Tuoba family was the illegitimate son of the Tuoba king. His two older brothers had always targeted him, yet he had earned more military merit than either of them.

There were no rumors of him keeping concubines, and his standards were said to be exceptionally high. He didn't seem to care for women at all.

Dai Lu would rather work in his courtyard than be abused by the second prince.

Tuoba Xie had once passed through his second brother's courtyard and caught sight of Xie Dailu.

He knew that the household had taken in noblewomen from the former dynasty as servants. He looked down on the Han, and thought Han noblewomen were especially spoiled.

But when a real Han woman stood before him, with a face as lovely as a spring flower, the third prince of the Tuoba family found himself losing his head.

After becoming a servant, Xie Dailu rarely broke down in tears.

She had once been a pampered noblewoman who never had to lift a finger.

Now she was a servant in the home of powerful outsiders. At last, overwhelmed by memories of the past, she couldn't help sobbing in a corner.

She wept so bitterly that anyone would pity her. Then a figure suddenly appeared before her. That very night, voices rang out in the courtyard where she worked: "There's been a fire. We can't stay here. We'll have to see if there's room in the third prince's courtyard..."

Tuoba Xie had always judged people by their looks. Never before had he seen anyone weep so prettily in front of him.

To think someone could make a beauty like that cry... That was unforgivable.

-To avoid rumors, I'll clarify that both leads are virgins. The male lead is a bit of a jerk and is not a perfect character. Please move along if that's not for you.

Theme: Exploring the world of people who judge by appearances.