Clinging Sweetly

Delicate little rabbit cousin vs. gentle, refined cousin (Reborn for revenge × palace and household intrigue × a battle between male rivals × intense romantic tension × biased, double-standard devotion) Shen Xingyan leaps from the Flying Pavilion, only to return to three years earlier. Her family is still alive, but danger lurks beneath the surface. She pretends to be a delicate, innocent flower and wants only to cling to her cousin, Xie Zhixing, the future powerful minister, and secure a marriage contract to protect her whole family. The gentleman she sees as gentle as jade hides a calculating mind beneath the surface. She advances, he retreats; she clings to him and tests the waters, while he keeps his distance and holds himself in check. Two Beneath the eaves on a rainy night, she rushes into his arms to escape the storm. Her hand trembles as she offers him a handkerchief. “Cousin… your clothes are wet…” He doesn't take it, instead turning sideways to shield her from the wind and rain. His voice is calm and even. “Stand a little closer.” His sleeve brushes the back of her hand, leaving behind a touch that is both icy and burning. Little Scene At the racecourse, Jiang Ziyuan helps Shen Xingyan onto his fiery steed in one swift motion, then wraps his arms around her and laughs. “What are you afraid of? My horse is steadier than the Xie family's carriage!” Xie Zhixing tightens his fingers around his teacup, his voice icy. “General, mind your manners.” Jiang Ziyuan lowers his head, his warm breath brushing Shen Xingyan's ear. “Be good and lean on me.” Then he turns a challenging gaze on Xie Zhixing. “Lord Xie, can your gentlemanly ways really protect the person you want to protect?” At the palace banquet, Shen Xingyan accepts the military tally of the Northern Frontier's Red Flame Army from Jiang Ziyuan. The meaning of the token is unmistakable: is he proposing to her? Xie Zhixing, who had been sitting quietly by and watching with a gentle smile, finally throws down his cup and rises. To everyone's astonishment, he staggers over to her and drops to one knee in front of the entire hall. He humbly grabs her sleeve, his bloodshot eyes filled with unprecedented desperation and pleading. “A Yan, don't choose him. Look at me… please, look at me one more time.”