A Heart Like a Dwelling
Once celebrated as the most illustrious courtesan in the land, she now resides as a humble concubine in a grand, secluded mansion. The legendary journey of her life has bestowed upon her a fate of extremes, caught between ice and fire. In times of chaos and upheaval, the emperor’s heart remains inscrutable, the political landscape grows ever more treacherous, and noble families rise and fall. She sheds her former glory, holding fast to her promise, and with an iron will, forges the honor of her lineage. Four devoted souls, three romances, two marriages—a lifetime entwined with longing. The once submissive performer and lowly concubine ultimately becomes an unrivaled beauty, capable of stirring storms and upturning clouds. Her heart is like her home: silent in splendor, cold in its depths, welcoming only those who come with sincerity. The prequel, "Empire's Enchantment," has begun: The "Heart Like a Mansion" series has been planned and published by Motie Books, accompanied by exclusive hand-drawn posters, exquisite bookmarks, and postcards by renowned illustrator ENO. Volume One available here: Volume Two available here: Volume Three available here: Weibo: Gourmet Pei Li Reader group with upright values: 153122315~ All are welcome to share, offer guidance, vent, act cute, and engage in friendly banter.
A Heart Like a Dwelling
Southern Xi, Imperial Capital Jingzhou, Drunken Flower Pavilion brothel.
The summer breeze gently lifted the curtains around the bed, revealing a slender, jade-white arm. Her skin was as smooth as cream, icy and delicate, a vision of natural beauty. Yet the sight was marred by the scars that covered her arm—some deep, some shallow, as if carved by a hairpin. Some wounds had shed their scabs, others remained fresh and crimson, painfully vivid.
Beside the bed, the young maid Qin’er sat, tears streaming down her cheeks as she applied medicine to her mistress’s wounds, her voice trembling with grief. “Miss, why must you torment yourself so? Young Master Helian is to be wed tonight. If he cared for you at all, would he let you suffer the cruelty of that jealous woman?”
The girl with the scarred jade arm was named Han Chu, aged fifteen, the star courtesan of the Drunken Flower Pavilion, famed as the most beautiful woman in Southern Xi.
She now lay on her bed, her expression haggard, her face pale as paper. Yet her elegance remained undiminished, ethereal and refined, like a pure white peony, exquisite beyond concealment.
Han Chu gave no reply to Qin’er’s words, only stared lifelessly at the canopy above, a beautiful corpse devoid of vitality.
She could not understand why, barely a month ago, Young Master Helian, who had once shared intimate vows with her, suddenly abandoned her without a single explanation—sending only a servant to convey that he was to be married.
He was her first and only lover. She had believed their passionate enta
📚 Related Recommendations
View More >
