[Older woman-younger man romance + both leads are virgins + running away while pregnant + clear-headed heroine + growing hero with one-sided feelings at first]
Palace maid Xiangzhu only wants to count down the days until she can leave the palace and live an ordinary life, but someone sets her up.
The Fourth Prince, Zhao Ye, is captivated by the fresh, clean scent that clings to Xiangzhu, and willingly loses himself in it.
After spending a night in his favor, Xiangzhu wants nothing more to do with the Fourth Prince. She hopes to obtain her palace registration and leave, even hiding in the Cold Palace, but she cannot escape the intrigue and rivalry of the imperial court.
Even the noble Fourth Prince comes looking for her.
Unexpectedly, he pursues while she avoids; he coaxes while she refuses.
Xiangzhu stays calm and handles things cleverly. For the sake of her freedom and escape from the palace, even her “love rival” can become an ally.
Later, when the Fourth Prince is finally allowed to establish his own residence and leave the palace, Xiangzhu has everything planned. On his wedding day, she vanishes from his world for good.
Zhao Ye searches for Xiangzhu like a madman.
When he finally finds her, he sees her slightly rounded belly, his eyes reddening. He refuses to let her go. “Sister, you’re the only one who has ever stirred my heart. There will never be anyone else.”
Xiangzhu lowers her eyes and rests a hand on her gently swelling belly. Since she is carrying an imperial heir, an ordinary life is out of reach. So she will return to the prince’s residence with Zhao Ye and carve out a bright future for the child in her womb, overcoming every obstacle along the way.
