The Summer King and His Winter Bride - Chapter 20: In the Library

On their wedding night, she gnashed her teeth, yelling, “Your Highness, that’s shameless!”

Set off by the flickering light of red candles, he curved the corner of his mouth into a wicked grin, “Actually, I can be more shameless…”

…

When they met for the first time, he was the young prince who lived in his day of brilliance, while she was the pampered princess of the adjacent state.

When they met again, he became the crippled underdog suffering from frustration, while she became the lackluster hostage stranded in an alien land.

In his mid-life, he was defeated in the fight and had his legs broken; his wife passed away and he didn’t have anything left except his father’s detestation… After constant blows took the edge off his spirit, all he wanted was nothing but serenity.

In her teen-age, her state perished and her home lost; she lapsed into an awkward situation after being abandoned and having her marriage annulled… As endless hardships isolated her from happiness, everything she wished for was no more than peace.

…

“Lu Zhishan, when I first met you, I didn’t think I’d marry you…too old,” after years passed by, one day, she lay on his laps mumbling, with a kind of hazy beauty on her boozy face, “and lame.”

“Mu Nanzhi, you have the wrong memory. At our first meeting, I’m neither old nor limp.”

“…When was that?”

“When people were celebrating your first birthday,” that man assumed all gentleness and joy crept on his eyes and brows, “On that day, you were ‘drawing lots’ in the rear hall. I also sneaked there to have a look. But, out of my expectation, you directly grabbed my true-love knot.”

…

How vivid the red love pea is embedded in the exquisitely carved dice,

Just as my feelings for you deep in my bones.

- Description from Novelupdates

Synopsis: 【Era + Rebirth + Educated Youth + Rough Husband's Devotion + Child Rearing】In her previous life, Su Xiaoxiao unwittingly led disaster into her home, resulting in the demise of her entire family through a series of “accidents.”Upon her rebirth, she vowed to make those who had harmed them pay a bitter price!She was determined to love wholeheartedly the vengeful Jiang Yexun, who was willing to squander his vast wealth and even risked his life for her vengeance.But there was a peculiar issue with her body – she couldn’t seem to control it.Whenever she was near Jiang Yexun, an irresistible urge for intimacy took over.Jiang Yexun clenched his teeth and said, “I've given you a chance to run!”Su Xiaoxiao embraced the man's waist and playfully retorted, “Run from what? A real man should act, not just talk!”Jiang Yexun pressed down on the provoking girl, “Alright then, let's act!”After marriage, Su Xiaoxiao, nursing her sore waist that hadn’t straightened since, tearfully recognized one undeniable fact – you must not provoke a rough-and-tough husband like him.

It was a life without regret. My parents were in good health, and I wasn’t homey enough for me to combine my studies and part-time jobs.

In the Kingdom of Zarethrone, justice isn’t served by a blade or exile it’s served through pleasure.A land where one can escape death... if they satisfy the desires of royalty. Where punishment comes in the form of seduction, and the King's rule is wild, wicked, and erotic.Prince Kaelith, the only heir to the throne, is forbidden from lying with any man.In a kingdom ruled by lust, his desire for a man is the only crime he must never commit. But when secrets swirl, forbidden hearts awaken, and his body begins to crave what the law denies… how long can he obey the rules of his father’s kingdom?Hale is a poor, rebellious son of a village blacksmith. He didn’t expect to catch the eye of Prince Kael. And he didn’t expect Kael’s gentle hands, stolen glances, or whispered promises in the dark.But falling in love with the prince is illegal as a Man. Forbidden. Deadly.As their hidden romance grows under royal eyes, from royal chambers filled with whispered moans to courtroom punishments that ignite passion, every chapter drips with sin, secrets, and the battle between pleasure and power.In Zarethrone, no one is truly innocentAnd pleasure is the only way to survive.Warning: This story contains mature themes, erotic punishments, LGBTQ+ relationships, and royal affairs not suited for readers under 18.If you're ready for a royal fantasy like no other, add to your library, leave a review, and join the journey of His Majesty’s Secret.