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 the tall mirror, but it doesn't feel like he's looking at himself. Little braids in his hair, pinned taut and tight with lotus, not a single strand of hair out of place. His face is powdered white; his lips are painted in the best shade of rouge. He is dressed in sheer layers of exquisite lavender robes and embroidery with golden lotuses along the lining of his sleeves and hems. It screams at him to run away and never looks back. But there's nothing he can do about his predicament now.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jiang Ying, the third heir of Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, is called by everyone a late bloomer because he did not present as an omega until he was 17 years old. He has been given the finest in life, spending his time on frivolous and pointless things and never caring for anything. He has more freedom in his life choices until his mother puts a weight on his shoulders to uphold the honor of his family. Just like that, his carefree life turns upside down.
There isn't much else to do or say. Things have been turning sour recently; their resources are dwindling, their supply is reaching an all-time low, and rumors about Jiang Yanli are spreading due to the finance minister's son Jin Zixuan's foolishness in breaking off an engagement. Wanting the challenges and rumors to cease, Yu Ziyuan, a renowned fighter, seizes 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's 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 be able to help his family during a troubling time, but instead, all that 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, doesn't experience his first heat and doesn't wield a sword. How can he possibly compare?
Jiang Ying 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! The 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 Jiangs but Lans as well! 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! This isn't about you; it's about your family. Be happy that you are useful for your family! So what if the crown prince ends up hating you? Do you even like him enough to care about it? No, what matters is that you are fulfilling your duty and representing your family with honor and dignity."
