Xiao Yao bore a grudge against Cui Xun ever since an elegant gathering when she first arrived in Jianye.
She was thoroughly mocked, and unable to hold back, she yanked off Madam Wang Si’s pearl hairpin, causing complete chaos.
The farce came to an abrupt end with Cui Xun’s arrival.
The noble young ladies who had acted all high and mighty before her instantly changed their demeanor, turning so gentle and sweet it made one’s teeth ache.
After all, the Cui clan stood at the very top among the aristocratic families, and Cui Xun was the most favored legitimate eldest son.
He was like the moon in the sky, like snow on a distant peak—
the most unattainable flower among the noblest of trees.
Because of one comment—“The princess is young and reckless”—
Xiao Yao was made to kneel in punishment in the palace all night.
Her father, the emperor, his hair already graying, sighed deeply as he looked at her:
“Just return to Wuling and pick one of your cousins to marry.”
Xiao Yao, seething, said,
“No. I’m going to ruin him instead.”
—
Cui Xun had always been the model of a noble son since childhood—disciplined, well-mannered, admired by all.
Until he met Xiao Yao.
He had once seen her accept peach blossoms from his cousin, then turn around and take apricot flowers from Xie Sanlang.
Her eyes curved like crescents, smiling more beautifully than the flowers themselves.
Unlearned. Frivolous. Willful.
No matter how many times she was punished with scripture-copying, she never changed.
Later, during the Mid-Summer Lotus Banquet—
A drugged Xiao Yao collapsed into his arms, hairpins askew, cheeks flushed, almond eyes hazy:
“If you won’t help me, I’ll find someone else…”
Only then did Cui Xun realize—
What he couldn’t stand wasn’t her being willful—
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