"Gusu Lan" was vast and powerful, a kingdom known for its discipline, wealth, and influence. Its palaces stood tall under the sky, surrounded by mountains and guarded by loyal soldiers. No one dared to challenge its authority.
The King of Gusu had three daughters—Zhou Lian, the eldest; Zhou Xian, the second; and Zhou Ye, the youngest.
Each of them had their own personality, but only one thing mattered to the King now—
Marriage.
To strengthen alliances and expand his influence, the King invited princes from many regions to Gusu. Among them was the Prince of Yiling.
His name was Xu Yang.
Xu Yang was known for his intelligence, calm nature, and striking appearance. But behind his gentle smile was ambition. He came to Gusu with a purpose—to gain power.
Originally, he wanted to marry Zhou Lian, the eldest princess, because marrying her would give him a stronger position in Gusu Lan.
But fate shifted.
Zhou Ye—the youngest daughter—had already set her eyes on him.
She wanted to marry Xu Yang.
Not for politics.
Not for power.
But simply because—
He was handsome.
Spring 2025
"I still haven't received the money for my novel script…"
Nuan Nuan muttered to herself, staring at her laptop screen. Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard as she continued writing her story.
Her room was messy, filled with scattered notes, coffee cups, and open books. The clock ticked quietly on the wall, but she ignored it completely.
Suddenly—
"Nuan Nuan!"
She froze.
"Nuan Nuan! Your friends are calling you downstairs!" her mother shouted from the kitchen.
"Okay! I'm coming!" she replied loudly.
She quickly saved her work and rushed downstairs.
Her best friend, Yao, stood near the door with her arms crossed, clearly annoyed.
"Why did you come so late?" Nuan Nuan asked casually.
"You think this is early?" Yao snapped. "It's too late! We decided to meet at 5:00, and it's already 6:35!"
Nuan Nuan blinked in surprise.
"Oh… I forgot. I was just writing my novel."
Yao looked at her from head to toe and smirked.
"That's why you're looking ugly today."
"Shut up!" Nuan Nuan shot back immediately. "Wait, I'll change my outfit. It's already too late to leave like this."
As she turned to go, Yao suddenly asked,
"By the way, what is the name of your novel?"
Nuan Nuan paused.
"I didn't tell you."
"No, you did not tell me!" Yao said, stepping closer.
Nuan Nuan smiled slightly.
"The name of the novel is Shadow of the Blossoms 🌸."
Yao nodded.
"Okay, bye! I'm leaving now!"
"Okay, see you soon, bye!" Nuan Nuan replied.
After Yao left, Nuan Nuan stretched her arms and yawned.
"Mom, I'm going upstairs to write my novel!"
"Don't stay up too late!" her mother replied.
But Nuan Nuan didn't listen.
Back in her room, she sat in front of her laptop again.
Her fingers began typing quickly.
Her story.
Her characters.
Her world.
Everything belonged to her.
But as the night grew deeper, her eyes slowly began to close.
Her head tilted forward.
And before she knew it—
She fell asleep.
When Nuan Nuan opened her eyes again—
Everything had changed.
She sat up suddenly, her breath uneven.
"This… isn't my room."
The ceiling above her was unfamiliar. The walls were decorated with intricate carvings. Soft curtains surrounded the bed, and the faint scent of incense filled the air.
She looked down at herself.
She was wearing luxurious clothes.
"What is going on…?"
She quickly stood up and looked around.
In one corner of the room—
Several handsome men were sleeping.
Her eyes widened.
"Am I… in a bar?"
Her heart began to race.
Suddenly—
Crash!
She accidentally knocked over a glass.
The sharp sound echoed through the room.
All the men woke up instantly.
"Everybody get up! The princess has woken up!" one of them shouted.
Nuan Nuan froze.
"Wait a minute… what did you say?" she asked.
All of them answered at once—
"Princess!"
Her mind went blank.
She slowly walked toward the window and pushed it open.
Her eyes widened as she looked outside.
"This place…"
"It looks like Gusu Lan… from my novel!"
Before she could think further, a boy rushed inside.
"Princess! You have woken up! We were waiting for you. Your crown is ready!"
Nuan Nuan frowned.
"What crown? For what?"
The boy looked confused.
"You forgot? It's your wedding today."
"My… wedding?"
"Yes, today is your wedding."
Her heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly—
"Beware! The King and Queen are coming!" everyone said.
The room instantly became tense.
A woman entered first, followed by a man with a powerful presence.
"Zhou Ye, how are you? What happened to you?" the Queen asked with concern.
Nuan Nuan blinked.
"What? Zhou Ye? Did you call me Zhou Ye?"
The Queen frowned slightly.
"Yes. Your name is Zhou Ye."
The world seemed to stop.
"Have I… become Zhou Ye?"
"Am I inside my own novel?"
Her breathing became uneven.
"Have I become this selfish and stubborn Zhou Ye…?"
Memories of her own story rushed into her mind.
And then—
A terrifying realization hit her.
"I will get married today…"
"Xu Yang will poison me…"
"And I will die."
Her face turned pale.
"No… I don't want to die!"
"I haven't even had my first kiss yet… I haven't even had a boyfriend!"
"What should I do?"
"What happened to you? Why are you lost?" the Queen asked again.
"No, no, Mom, I'm fine!" she replied quickly.
The Queen looked surprised.
"Did you call me Mom?"
The King stepped forward calmly.
"If you are fine, we will leave."
"Do you want something to eat?"
As they turned to leave, Nuan Nuan—now Zhou Ye—felt even more confused.
After they left, she turned to a girl standing nearby.
"By the way… who are you?"
The girl looked shocked.
"Princess, did you forget me? I have been serving you since childhood. My name is Song Lan."
Zhou Ye hesitated.
"Okay… sorry, I forgot."
Song Lan's eyes widened.
"Princess… did you just say sorry to me?"
"Okay, leave that aside. What were you saying?"
"Princess, we have made your wedding dress exactly as you wanted."
Zhou Ye's expression changed instantly.
"Remove that dress from my sight. It looks like my shroud."
The room fell silent.
Soon, everyone left.
Zhou Ye sat down slowly.
"I don't want to get married…"
"I want to go home…"
"And I don't even have a phone here…"
Far away—
Xu Yang sat quietly, thinking.
"Prince, the King has sent a letter for you."
He opened it and read.
"You will marry the youngest daughter."
His expression darkened.
"The youngest daughter is useless… lost in herself… you will be crushed under her feet."
"What should I do now?" Xu Yang murmured.
His friend leaned closer.
"I have an idea—kill her with poison."
Xu Yang looked at him.
"Where will I get poison?"
"I have it."
"When should I give it?"
"On the wedding night."
Back in the palace—
"I don't want to get married!" Zhou Ye said firmly.
"Princess, you must get ready. Everyone is waiting," Song Lan insisted.
"I wanted to marry Xu Yang before… but now I don't!"
"The news has already spread across Gusu."
Zhou Ye closed her eyes.
"…Fine. Give me the dress."
Inside her mind—
"Xu Yang… no matter what you do today…"
"I'm not going to drink poison."
The wedding hall was grand and filled with people.
The King, Queen, her sisters, and Xu Yang were all waiting.
Then—
Zhou Ye entered.
She looked breathtaking.
Everyone was stunned.
Xu Yang stared at her.
"She looks very beautiful…"
Zhou Ye looked at him.
"Wow… he's so handsome…"
"But this handsome guy will kill me…"
She sat beside him.
"The marriage is complete. You are now husband and wife."
Night fell.
They entered the room.
"All that happens on the wedding night…"
"But today… I might die…"
The door closed.
They sat facing each other.
"Are you happy now?" Xu Yang asked.
"No, I'm not," Zhou Ye replied.
"Why?"
"Because I don't like you now."
"You were desperate to marry me."
"Leave that aside. Drink this tea."
"No, I don't drink tea."
"You must. It is part of the ritual."
Zhou Ye's heart pounded.
"What do you want to do with me?"
"All that happens after marriage."
Xu Yang picked up the cup.
"Come on… have some tea now."