My name is Lian Yue, the sole heiress of the Yongning Marquis House.
The Yongning family has served the royal family since the founding of the dynasty, always loyal, always ready to sacrifice everything.
But loyalty comes at a price. Over generations, our clan dwindled, and now, in my generation, I’m the only child—a daughter. My father, the old marquis, suffered lingering injuries on the battlefield and was never able to father a son. Rather than face the shame of letting the family name fade, he conspired with his old friend, the emperor, to mold me into the next empress.
They reasoned that, if I became empress, our family’s loyalty would continue in another way.
But luck was never on my father’s side.
He spent his private savings to have me trained in all the skills of a noble lady: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and flower arranging. For six years, he dreamed of presenting a graceful, virtuous empress to the court, someone he could proudly present to our ancestors.
Instead, I inherited the martial spirit of the Yongning bloodline. I couldn’t master any of the refined arts, but I was a natural with weapons. The weapons in my father’s armory became my toys, and I wielded them with fierce delight.
One day, as I practiced swordplay in the courtyard, my father watched me with tears streaming down his face.
“Yue’er, when I die, don’t bury me in the family tomb,” he said.
I spun my sword with a flourish. “Why not?”
He sighed. “I’m afraid our ancestors will gang up and beat me up.”
The first time I met Li Xun, one word came to mind: gentle as a willow.
I was testing a new saber I’d “borrowed” from my father’s collection. Just as I was about to make a dramatic slash, the courtyard gate creaked open.
“Who’s there?”
Instinctively, I hurled the saber toward the intruder. The blade flew with deadly speed and precision.
Then I heard my father’s furious roar: “How dare you!”
I froze, suddenly afraid of what I’d done.
But a calm, melodious voice saved me: “Miss Lian is truly the daughter of a warrior, just as formidable as her father.”
My father’s anger faltered. He’d hoped to hear compliments about my grace, not my swordplay, but he managed to reply: “Your Highness, please forgive my daughter’s lack of manners.”
Your Highness?
My heart skipped. I turned to see the man whose name had haunted me for sixteen years: Li Xun, the Crown Prince.
Li Xun was breathtakingly handsome—his features were delicate, his brows arched like distant mountains, and his eyes, bright as peach blossoms, shimmered with intelligence and charm.
But he was also fragile. Wrapped in a white fox fur cloak, he looked almost transparent, his lips pale except for the occasional cough. If not for his dignified bearing, he might have been mistaken for one of those delicate noble ladies.
He was the very picture of a gentle, sickly scholar.
I sighed inwardly.
I’d always imagined myself with a strong, robust warrior—someone who could spar with me for hours. Not this delicate prince.
“Greet His Highness properly!” my father barked, worried I’d forgotten every lesson in etiquette.
Determined to prove his money hadn’t been wasted, I tried to execute the most elegant curtsy possible.
But luck was never on my father’s side.
Just as I lifted my skirt for a grand flourish, there was a loud rip. My dress tore, and my father’s smile twisted in horror.
I stared at them, frozen.
If I claimed this was part of the welcome, would they believe me?
My maid, Ruolan, hissed that I should act demure, or my father might drag me before our ancestors for punishment.
I agreed. I tried to summon my most delicate voice, but before I could even pick up my handkerchief, a storm of white fur enveloped me.
Li Xun had rushed over and draped his cloak over my shoulders. “Forgive me, Miss Lian,” he murmured, his ears burning red. “It was not my intention to see you in such a state.”
He retreated behind my father, head bowed like a shy pheasant.
I frowned.
Was he afraid I was some kind of wild woman?
“Your Highness, I—” I started to explain.
But my father cut me off. “Go change your clothes this instant!”
With tears in my eyes, I trudged back to my room, glancing over my shoulder.
I wanted to tell Li Xun that under my dress, I was wearing not just one pair of pants, but two!
I hoped he wouldn’t spread any rumors.
I had misjudged Li Xun.
I’d always thought royals were naturally outgoing. Li Xun seemed to be the exception—until now.
But as I watched him linger in my courtyard after my father had fled in embarrassment, I realized Li Xun was the ultimate social butterfly—the “plus” version.
He looked pale as ever, but his lips parted, and he said, “Miss Lian, you must have been frightened. I promise not to breathe a word of what happened. But I’ve been standing here a while. May I trouble you for a cup of tea and a place to rest?”
Wow.
He really knew how to turn a simple request into something grand.
I forced a polite smile. “Your Highness, all under heaven is the emperor’s land. Why ask my permission to sit?”
I couldn’t help but let a little resentment slip into my voice.
But who could blame me?
After years of being tormented by someone who wasn’t my type, it was hard to be gracious.
Li Xun was sharp. “Miss Lian, it seems you dislike me. Have I done something to offend you? If so, please tell me.”
I pouted.
What if I just hated the fact that he existed? Could he change that?
As the top student of the “Master of Sarcasm,” I retorted, “If Your Highness can think of a reason for me to like you, just say it. I’ll like you for that.”
Li Xun’s eyes flickered with something—disappointment?—but it vanished before I could be sure.
A gentle breeze ruffled his robes, making him look as if he might vanish at any moment.
Before I could blow him away with a huff, he spoke again: “There isn’t one…
But that’s all right. I don’t like you either, Miss Lian.”
I was shocked.
Wait, is this a good thing?!
Chapter 01
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