Spring Rain Like Fine Silk

[A timid, gossip-loving beauty VS a master of sweet talk, the crown prince, with a romance built on cunning and coercion]

Ding Yu considered herself the luckiest person in the world.

Her family had fallen on hard times, but thanks to the emperor's boundless generosity, she and her brother were able to continue their studies at the palace.

Her closest friend was the princess, her own brother was the crown prince's trusted confidant, and her betrothed cousin remained devoted to her. He had written to say he would formally ask for her hand once she came of age.

Ding Yu had no worries at all. She followed the princess around, admiring flowers, sipping tea, and eavesdropping on gossip.

"Whenever my royal uncle returns to the capital, Father gets mad for no reason, and Mother locks him out of her bedroom..."

"The Minister of War's legitimate son throws his weight around every day, but he's actually a fake young master. Hee hee!"

"I saw General Li, who never cracks a smile, get slapped by the wife of Marquis Yan!"

Ding Yu was scared, but she wanted to hear more.

One day, the princess confided to her mysteriously, "My brother's gone mad. There are so many drawings of women's backs in his study. When I asked who they were, he wouldn't tell me. I bet it's the woman he loves."

Ding Yu stuffed her face with pastries as she nodded along.

She couldn't help wondering who the woman the crown prince was so preoccupied with could be.

Zhao Ji, the only prince of the Great Yu, had been born to the exalted position of crown prince.

Handsome and mild-mannered, he had noble young ladies swooning over him and vying for his attention.

Yet His Highness the Crown Prince kept his distance from women and doted only on his beloved younger sister. As her friend, Ding Yu occasionally got to exchange a word or two with him.

The princess and Ding Yu speculated together. "He let something slip once. It seems the woman is engaged. What if I find her fiance and force him to break it off? I think he's from Jinling. His name is... He Xian?"

Ding Yu spat out her tea.

He Xian, the talented young man of Jinling, was known for keeping his promises. He was also Ding Yu's betrothed cousin.

Later, the princess told Ding Yu she had fallen for He Xian and planned to steal him away.

"My brother told me to go right ahead. He'll take care of He Xian's fiancee."

Ding Yu trembled with fear.

Zhao Ji cornered her in a narrow recess between the rocks, smiling like a spring breeze.

"Why are you avoiding me, Miss Ding?"

Ding Yu shrank like a quail, looking pitiful.

The princess then told her she had gotten it wrong. The women in the crown prince's drawings were either blindfolded or tied up. It looked like he had a grudge against them.

Ding Yu had no idea how she had offended Zhao Ji so badly that he hated her so much.

Eyes red, she resigned herself to her fate. "How does Your Highness intend to deal with me?"

"Marry you. Let everyone call you their sister-in-law."

Ding Yu: ?

Zhao Ji/Zhao Fei: My sister/brother is putting themself in the line of fire to help me clear the obstacles. Family really is the best!

[Reading guide]

Two couples, all sweet romance.

A timid, gossip-loving foodie beauty VS a master of sweet talk, the crown prince

A lively, radiant princess VS a stuffy, old-fashioned patriarch

Theme: Loving life