The Cui Qingluo Arc
He had, for as long as he could remember, been fond of stories about impoverished scholars and noble lords, yearning for such a love.
However, all of that shattered with her appearance.
The first time he saw her, she had emerged victorious from a family dispute. Looking at her, shrinking back from the spotlight, he felt nothing but disdain.
Then, upon learning that she had refused marriage to his elder brother, Cui Tong, he was enraged.
In his eyes, Qiu Yu was in no way a match for his brother.
So, he galloped his horse to catch up with her as she left the city, intending to demand an explanation and teach her a memorable lesson.
Unexpectedly, before he could even impart his lesson, he was taken hostage by members of the Black Lotus Sect.
And they used him to threaten her.
The danfeng-eyed demonic man from the Black Lotus Sect looked at him as if his gaze could pierce his skin, causing him to shiver and his thoughts to become sluggish.
Before he could react, he realized he was somehow by her side.
He watched as she drew a peach wood fan from her waist, recited a line of poetry, and then whisked him away from the demonic man.
He was astonished; she was a cultivator.
Moreover, all traces of her former timid demeanor had vanished.
A fleeting thought of "something strange" crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
On the road to Qingzhou, she suddenly declared she wanted to tell him a story.
Now wanting to curry favor? Too late! What kind of novel hadn't he read?
However, since she was so eager to tell it, he decided to reluctantly listen.
...How was it that after listening, he felt a sense of "no longer in love"?
Why did the male characters in her stories always end up so miserable?
Why did men always encounter unfortunate fates?
His heart ached for many days.
He was sent back to the royal city. He pleaded with his mother, wanting to marry her, but the news his mother brought back was that she had become a nun!
For a long time, he couldn't understand.
It was because becoming a nun was too abrupt.
Later, his mother planned to marry him off to Shangguan Xi, who had ranked first in the imperial examinations.
He voiced his opposition, but it was futile.
His elder brother Cui Tong spoke of how noble sons should bear such responsibilities, but he didn't understand.
Why was it necessary to sacrifice oneself to be considered responsible?
Fortunately, his mother heard from somewhere that Shangguan Xi had sided with Prince Hui, and the marriage was thus called off.
The following year, the Empress Dowager passed away, and Prince Hui ascended the throne.
His mother repeatedly rejoiced that she hadn't married him off to Shangguan Xi.
The Shangguan family, once glorious, was now in decline.
At this point, his mother was also unsure how to arrange his marriage with his elder brother Cui Tong.
Thus, he finally mustered the courage to ask his mother if he could see Qiu Yu one more time.
His mother initially refused.
He threatened to become a monk.
Finally, he saw her again.
However, her utterly changed demeanor made him feel as if he were looking at a stranger.
Upon seeing him, she first paused, then asked, "Benefactor, may I ask what you seek me for?"
At that moment, his mind went blank, and he blurted out,
"I am Cui Tong, do you remember me?"
The person opposite him replied, "It doesn't matter if I remember or not."
His heart pounded uncontrollably.
It was then he confirmed that the Qiu Yu he had seen before was not the same person.
She didn't correct him!
Although he hadn't used his childish tactics in a long time, he began to cry, make a scene, and threaten suicide, making it impossible for her to find peace, driven by his desperate need to know who she was.
Fortunately, her disposition seemed rather weak, and she relented before he could fully unleash his tantrum.
Finally, he learned that the person was the newly acclaimed top scholar, Nian Jiaojiao!
At that moment, a myriad of emotions surged through him.
He had seen that woman before, at a banquet in the royal palace...
At the time, he hadn't recognized her at all.
Such remarkable acting!
Without hesitation, he thanked the hesitant Qiu Yu and turned directly for the Nian residence in Qingzhou.
Upon arriving at the Nian residence, he found her with both a son and a daughter, living a blissful life.
But he held back...
No, it should be said that the pent-up frustration in his heart vanished the moment he saw her.
Trembling, he approached her.
"Marry me, will you?"
Hearing his sudden proposal, she was clearly shocked. She stared at him, her mouth agape, remaining silent for a long time.
During this period of silence, he felt it stretch out as long as a lifetime.
"The reason?"
She had obviously guessed that he knew the truth.
Without thinking, he spoke the confession he had rehearsed a thousand times:
"You told me so many stories back then, and I thought you were merely warning me not to trust impoverished scholars. But now, I have a different answer. Love should not be bound by status.
Nian Jiaojiao, whether you are an impoverished scholar or a noble lady, I admire you. I wish to stay by your side, protect you from harm, and have children with you."
After speaking, he stared at her stubbornly, anxiously awaiting her judgment.
A moment later, her eyes crinkled, and the warmth in them made him feel as if he were gazing upon a brilliant nebula.
She took his hand and finally spoke slowly:
"Yes, Qingluo."
...
The Yuèrán Arc (As requested by a lovely fan, I'm giving Yuèrán more screen time, along with some daily life)
On the day of the imperial examinations, Murong Zhao brought intelligence on the scholars.
Princes were the most precious men in Great Yue, but they could not control their marriages.
He held no great hopes for marriage; love was a luxury.
But he still had to choose someone he found agreeable.
Unexpectedly, when the portrait on the last piece of intelligence was presented to him, his previously placid heart was reignited with life and began to beat again.
But seeing the expressions of his younger brothers, he felt a sense of crisis.
Even Murong Zhao was clearly infatuated with this woman.
The woman was immensely talented and had become the top scholar this year. He asked his father consort to have the Empress Dowager arrange a marriage for him, and his younger brothers also rushed to approach the Empress Dowager.
Thus, the Empress Dowager finally issued an order for the top scholar to choose her own husband.
That evening, at the banquet, she and he made eye contact. He did not miss the appreciation in her eyes, but her gaze was clear, devoid of any sordid desires.
He didn't dislike her looking at him.
Instead, he felt a subtle joy in his heart.
Seeing her leave the hall, he followed, but after a moment, he could no longer find her.
Unexpectedly, he encountered Situ Mo, who was drunk.
Situ Mo forcibly took him to a side hall. At that moment, he was utterly despairing, believing the scoundrel would succeed, but it was she who saved him.
She was ordered to chat with the various princes in the pavilion, and ultimately, she chose him.
On their wedding day, Murong Zhao came to the bridal chamber. His eyes were filled with disappointment, and upon seeing him in the fiery red wedding attire, he was reluctant to offer his blessings.
Then, as the tenth prince frantically tried to pull at his clothes, it was Murong Zhao who reacted first, preventing the ill omen of the wedding attire being torn.
The tenth prince was forcibly taken back to the palace, and he was sent off in the bridal sedan chair.
His wife, the Empress, was kind and amiable, but he had a happy dilemma.
His Empress seemed to be very fond of his chest. After every intimate moment, his chest would be rubbed and bruised.
He himself thought his Empress's chest was even more beautiful.
He had never realized that women could be more alluring than men.
He joked:
"If my Empress walks down the street, perhaps a scene of a man abducting a maiden could be staged."
His Empress looked at him aggrievedly:
"Wasn't I the one abducted and brought home by a prince? Alas... power is coercive. I'm so sore and tired from being bullied every time, truly a pitiful little one who is constantly exploited."
As she said this, his Empress's hands became restless again...
At this moment, he also discovered his Empress's hidden personality, one that she did not reveal to others: she was a little roguish.
But it felt rather good...
He had initially assumed that as a prince, joining his Empress's household, although not bullied, would still be met with subtle ostracism.
Unexpectedly, everyone got along harmoniously and naturally.
He enjoyed this life and was once again grateful that he had married his Empress—no, rather, grateful that his Empress had chosen him.
Later, a man named Cui Qingluo approached his Empress.
Seeing his sincere and earnest confession, along with his anxious expression, it reminded him of himself before his mother announced the chosen candidate.
His Empress accepted him. Seeing him sitting on the ground, crying and sobbing, he murmured, "It's really, really hard, boohoo..."
He knew he was relieved; those were tears of joy.
He was happy for him.
(There is still a Prince Hui arc to follow, completing the succession storyline)