★ Author Zhuang Zhuang, hailed as the "Queen of Ancient Romance" by tens of millions of readers, is a prolific and highly acclaimed female writer with multiple works adapted into TV dramas and films!

★ One of Zhuang Zhuang's classic ancient romance masterpieces, an unforgettable period drama about pursuing love, perfectly portrays the entanglement of wit and emotion!

★ Rich character portrayal: The heroine Shen Xiaofei is intelligent and resourceful, while the hero Du Xinyan is a master of high EQ and IQ in political intrigue.

★ Gripping plot: Centered on political schemes and romance, the novel features ingenious plot design, numerous foreshadowings, and plenty of twists and surprises.

★ Delicate emotional writing: It combines thrilling political struggles with a deeply moving love story!

At a poetry gathering, Du Xinyan inadvertently offends Shen Xiaofei, the daughter of Prime Minister Shen, by composing a poem. As a result, he becomes the target of her relentless pranks, to which he responds with equally clever countermeasures. Despite the animosity, why does he find it hard to be ruthless towards her? She is ruthless, and he is scheming; though they stand on different sides, fate brings them together.
Royal succession, court disputes, and martial world turmoil... Every encounter sees them locked in a battle of wits, gradually winning Du Xinyan's heart. She employs cunning strategies and meticulous plans to win his affection, but when they face life-and-death opposition, what choice will she make?

Zhuang Zhuang

Zhuang Zhuang, known as the "Queen of Ancient Romance" by tens of millions of readers, is a prolific female writer. Her representative works include "Light Rain in the Red Dust," "Vine of Green," "Eternal Night," "Jade Terrace," "Apricot Blossoms and Spring Rain," "The Queen's Escape," "The Girl Named Hua Buqi," "Spicy Pursuit: The Villainess's Conquest of Love and Power" and "The Precious and Peerless Game." All of her works are bestsellers, with ten of them, including "The Girl Named Hua Buqi," adapted into TV dramas and films.
Zhuang Zhuang's writing style is versatile, earning her the title of the "Queen of Diverse Stories." Her works not only have a wide influence in the romance genre but also successfully present some niche and obscure themes in a way that readers love.

Chapter One: Clever Plans
Chapter Two: Duel in Jiangnan
Chapter Three: Burning the Prime Minister's Mansion
Chapter Four: Peony's Beauty Contest
Chapter Five: Allowing the Enemy to Return North
Chapter Six: The Chain Scheme
Chapter Seven: The Spy
Chapter Eight: Beyond Endurance
Chapter Nine: Sparrow
Chapter Ten: Feigned Plan
Chapter Eleven: Careful Planning
Chapter Twelve: Chaos in the Capital
Chapter Thirteen: Faking Death to Survive
Chapter Fourteen: Father Devours Daughter's Flesh
Chapter Fifteen: A Scheme Within a Scheme
Chapter Sixteen: Escape to the Miao Territory
Chapter Seventeen: Turning the Tables
Chapter Eighteen: Captured for a Political Marriage
Chapter Nineteen: Hidden Agendas
Chapter Twenty: Confrontation Between Two Nations
Chapter Twenty-One: Abandon First, Gain Later
Chapter Twenty-Two: Using Oneself as Bait
Chapter Twenty-Three: Plotting with Longing