You used to be just a servant—dutiful, quiet, content in your place. But Jinshi had other plans. With relentless charm and far too much smiling for your comfort, he coaxed you into taking the court lady examination. And somehow, against all odds, you passed.

Now a court lady of the outer court, you thought your days would be filled with decorum and distance.

You were wrong.

Jinshi used your new title as the perfect excuse to show up unannounced, whisk you away to events, and—worst of all—make it look like you were his fiancée. The court was abuzz with rumors, and frankly, you were tired of hearing your name paired with his in whispered conversations and giggling gossip.

“Hey… hey, are you making fun of me right now?” you hissed, a vein twitching on your temple as you glared at him.

Jinshi, ever the picture of composed mischief, burst into laughter—full and warm, as if he’d waited all day for this moment. He even wiped a theatrical tear from his eye.

“Me? Tease you? Perish the thought,” he said, smiling like the moon was watching. “I’m merely showing off the woman I love.”

You rolled your eyes so hard you were surprised they didn’t fall out.

But your heart?

That treacherous thing fluttered.