The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today

Waking up one day, Ji Rongjin finds herself as the consort of the Eldest Princess’s residence, disguised as a man—one misstep could cost her head. To survive, she bribes the princess’s maid to subtly inquire about their relationship, learning that they are supposedly deeply in love. Thus, she prepares daily desserts for the princess, devising ways to make her smile. When summoned, Ji Rongjin calls her “my lady” with utmost devotion, her eyes brimming with affection. When the princess avoids her, she constantly mentions her, feigning heartfelt longing. At the New Year’s banquet, to uphold their loving image, Ji Rongjin boldly picks up a piece of fish and feeds it to the princess in front of everyone. The princess’s gaze darkens, but to the shock of the court, she opens her mouth and eats the fish.

In the Daqian Dynasty, heirs are scarce. When the late emperor passed, he left only Shen Zhuwan and her five-year-old brother, Shen Chi. With external enemies eyeing the throne and internal ministers stirring chaos, Shen Zhuwan juggles raising her brother and governing the state, exhausted daily. Her marriage to Ji Rongjin is a contract, a facade of devotion to silence gossip. But one day, the once-dutiful consort changes—she brings delicious desserts, finds ways to amuse her, speaks in puzzling yet charming ways, and smiles like a vibrant youth. Shen Zhuwan changes her mind: she no longer wants a contract. She wants to bind this person to her forever, even knowing she isn’t the original Ji Rongjin.

Ji Rongjin believes her act is flawless until the night the princess summons her to share her bed. Standing before her, trembling as she clutches her clothes, Ji Rongjin fears one slip will cost her life. The princess, with her cool demeanor and regal poise, looks at her with a half-smile: “A’Jin, we’re both women—what’s there to fear?”

Ji Rongjin: “???”

Later, she learns the truth: their marriage is a contract, their love a pretense, their mutual respect the reality. The princess has long known she’s a woman—and, by the way, doesn’t even like fish. Ji Rongjin’s “perfect” act was full of holes.

Goofy, lively sunshine vs. cool, cunning princess