A Little Chef Consort Arrives in Bianjing

* A broad ensemble cast, so there are quite a few couples in the story * Happy ending / mutual healing / marriage before love * Set in an alternate Song dynasty, so don’t nitpick the historical details Shen Mifu has no great ambitions. She comes from Jiangnan. Her mother is the daughter of a wealthy merchant, while her father, well, got a low-ranking official post thanks to his ancestors’ influence. She also has an older sister who adores and spoils her. In other words, she has money, and as for power… well, her father’s minor post at least gives him a little say, so others can’t bully her at will. As for love, her parents never cared for her when she was little, but at least her sister loved her twice as much. She thinks her comfortable life will go on like this, but one twist of fate turns it upside down. In the fifteenth year of Chunhe, the sovereign issues an edict betrothing her sister to the master of the Eastern Palace, making her the crown princess. And somehow, Shen Mifu ends up in the bed of Prince Zhen, Huai Chu, who has been ordered by the sovereign to oversee her sister’s Six Rites. At once, Prince Zhen gives her two choices. First, accept the sovereign’s decree and go to Bianjing to become his secondary wife. She’ll live out her life alone, and he won’t have any feelings for her. Second, go with him to refuse the decree and explain what happened. He’ll overcome all opposition to protect her, guarantee wealth and honor for her and the Shen family for life, and keep her safe wherever they move, as long as he is alive. Shen Mifu presses her lips together and says nothing, thinking: Neither option is remotely tempting. First, who would harbor improper thoughts about him? He’s somewhat handsome, but he’s way too full of himself. And the second option is even worse. Risk having their heads chopped off for refusing the decree? Besides, she’s hardly short of money! Later, Huai Chu gets his comeuppance and chases after her in every way imaginable, begging her not to leave.