In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance with a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the meetin...
A young man looks at his reflection in a tall mirror, but it doesn't feel like he is looking at himself. Little braids in his hairare pinned taut and tight with lotus, not a single strand of hair out of place. His face is powdered white, and his lips are painted the best shade of rouge. He is dressed in sheer layers of exquisite lavender robes embroidered with golden lotuses along the linings of his sleeves and hems. It screams at him to run away and never look back. However, there is nothing he can do about his predicament.
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Jiang Ying, the third heir of Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, is a late bloomer. He has been given the finest in life, spending time on frivolous and pointless things and never caring for anything. He had more freedom in his life choices until his mother placed weight on his shoulders to uphold the honor of their family. Just like that, his carefree life has turned upside down.
There isn't much else to do or say. Things have turned sour recently: their resources are dwindling, their supplies are at an all-time low, and their morale is at rock bottom. All because Jiang Yanli's engagement to the finance minister's son, Jin Zixuan, has broken off. It's not their fault, but the blame and consequences seem to fall on their shoulders.
Wanting to halt the challenges and rumors, Yu Ziyuan, a renowned fighter, seized the opportunity for a marriage alliance with Crown Prince Lan Xichen through her favor with the court. Whoever marries the crown prince must bear an heir for him, so Jiang Cheng is out of the question since he is an alpha. Jiang Yanli isn't ready to accept another proposal, making Jiang Ying the final hope for their family's future.
Jiang Ying knows he should feel ecstatic that he is going to marry into the imperial family and help his family during a troubling time, but instead, all he feels is a loss of freedom and a sense of inadequacy. It is common knowledge among people that Crown Prince Lan Xichen is a very powerful alpha at a young age and accomplished in the six arts, while he himself, a late bloomer, hasn't experienced his first heat and doesn't wield a sword. How can he possibly compare?
He paces nervously around his spacious room. He is unsure how he will manage to make a public appearance today for his engagement party when his nerves are shot. His fiancé won't even be here! Crown Prince Lan Xichen won't be able to attend for another three days. So, Jiang Ying doesn't understand why they are having the party now.
Before, he never cared about what others thought of him—not that people paid him any attention anyway—but now his actions will reflect not only on the Jiangs but also on the Lans! What if he messes it all up? What if his fiancé ends up hating him?
He gives himself a whack on the head, the slight pain bringing him back to reality. "Stop being so dramatic, Jiang Ying! Who could hate you? Mother always says that no one can hate you, even if they try, because you have a face that melts anyone's heart. So, stop worrying and be happy that you are useful to your family. You're going to fulfill your duty and represent your family with honor and dignity."
