Among the clouds of noble socialites in Yanjing, Liu Yun considered herself quite ordinary. Her father had spent most of his life toiling away as a mere fifth-rank official, and her own talents were mediocre. Her looks could only be described as fair and elegant. Her sole merit was her good reputation; she never made enemies, and she could even share a laugh with the most difficult young ladies in Yanjing.
If all went according to plan, Liu Yun would eventually be married off by her parents to a husband who was just as unremarkable as her, yet a good match. For instance, Yang Sanlang from the family of her father’s friend, Uncle Yang; he seemed to have feelings for her.
The traditional rites of marriage, supporting her husband, and educating her children—a plain but perhaps dull second half of her life. Liu Yun was prepared for it.
However, during the birthday banquet of County Princess Jinning, she noticed someone staring at her constantly. She looked over discreetly and saw it was from the direction of Crown Prince Xiao Heng.
But Liu Yun did not suspect him for a moment. The Crown Prince was an arrogant man who held himself above others and was excessively picky. To him, the beauties of Yanjing were nothing but “vulgar and unremarkable.” Liu Yun never gave it a second thought, assuming she had simply been mistaken.
That was until the Dharma assembly at Fahua Temple, when a group of noble ladies, including Liu Yun, was kidnapped. To deceive the bandits, Liu Yun feigned unconsciousness.
While “unconscious,” she was secretly kissed by Xiao Heng, who had come to the rescue.
Liu Yun didn’t know what his intentions were, and fearing that the Crown Prince intended to make her a concubine, she pretended to know nothing after waking up. Just then, the Yang family came to propose marriage. Feeling that nothing was amiss, Liu Yun was about to agree.
But what arrived instead was a marriage decree from the palace: she was to be the Crown Princess.
This was a bit too much excitement.
“Liu Yun: average talent and beauty, a dull personality, and an unremarkable family background.”
This was Xiao Heng’s first impression of Liu Yun when he was sixteen. But from that moment on, for reasons unknown, her face frequently and vividly appeared in his mind.
The following year, during the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, a small snake frightened the gathered ladies, Liu Yun included. Seeing her pitiful, frightened appearance, Xiao Heng spent that night Meeting at Mount Wu with her in his dreams.
At first, he suspected he had been struck by some kind of Jiangtou. He spent months reciting Buddhist scriptures, only to find it was all in vain.
The third year, he couldn’t hold back and kissed Liu Yun. Seeing her eyelashes trembling rapidly under his lips, Xiao Heng knew right then that she was aware of everything. Since she knew, why was she still negotiating a marriage with that Yang Sanlang, who was leagues beneath him?
Xiao Heng was extremely displeased. He went to his imperial father that very night to beg for a marriage decree.
“Liu Yun, you must be mine.”
Reading Guide:
–
A sweet, romance-driven story.
–
The female lead isn’t truly “plain”; she just isn’t the “top tier” in terms of talent or family background among the socialites. She is a “durable beauty” with high charisma and charm. In the male lead’s eyes, she is the most beautiful.
–
The female lead falls in love after marriage; the male lead has a history of dark pining and observation.
–
Mary Sue elements.
–
An ordinary, honest young lady vs. an ultra-picky, elitist Crown Prince.
Popular Reviews