Blazing Vermilion

The story begins with the protagonist in the hospital, with no new chapters available until the 20th.

When she was fifteen, Lu Huaying met Wei Mingsu.

That year, she was a radiant, willful noble daughter of a prominent family, while he was a poor, humble village scholar who grew up in a temple.

At Chang'an's grandest Cuju (ancient football) match, with crowds of spectators, Huaying immediately spurred her horse and pointed at Wei Mingsu, who was leading the horses for the young masters. With a smile as bright as a flower, she declared, "I like him!"

The chasm between the aristocratic and commoner classes, the high and low born, was like a deep, impassable rift. She was the moon in the sky, a flower in the clouds, high above and utterly unattainable.

He, as humble as dust, dared not harbor any ambitious thoughts, yet he ultimately succumbed.

That year, he disregarded everything and abandoned his future prospects, solemnly writing a marriage proposal. Although he was poor, he vowed to do his utmost to ensure Lu Huaying lived a comfortable and content life.

Lu Huaying's second brother scoffed, revealing the truth: "How could a mere penniless boy catch Lu Huaying's eye? Her public declaration of affection for Wei Mingsu was merely to spite her family."

Torn apart by a thousand cuts, his heart and liver were gouged out.

Wei Mingsu picked up the torn marriage proposal and left in disarray.

The imperial court was in turmoil, and the political winds shifted dramatically. Lu Huaying's eldest brother was convicted and died, and Lu Huaying was reduced to a servant.

The once flamboyant and unrestrained noble lady fell into the dust, enduring cold stares and bullying. Due to a murder case, she was imprisoned.

The presiding judge in the hall had a stern gaze and was impartial. It was none other than Wei Mingsu, whom Lu Huaying had toyed with.

In just a few years, he gained the empress's favor and was exceptionally promoted, ascending rapidly to manage lawsuits, vigorously enforcing criminal law, and beheading powerful officials and royalties as easily as chopping vegetables.

Lu Huaying knelt on the floor below the hall, gazing at Wei Mingsu's face, which was colder than a blade. Tears streamed down her face: "If I say I loved you now, is there any hope?"

Reading reminder: The protagonist has an imperfect personality with many flaws. This is a growth story, so those sensitive to this should not read it. The female lead suffered from psychological issues between the ages of 13 and 15 for certain reasons, which will be healed. The background is a fictionalized Tang and Zhou dynasty. The protagonist, story, and characters are all fictional, though there are historical character prototypes.

Content tags: Palace Marquises, Devotion, Serious Drama.

Protagonist: Lu Huaying.

One-sentence summary: The poor boy she toyed with became successful.

Theme: Self-improvement and striving for success.