Summary: What happens when you just aren't feeling like falling in love?

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Villainess: Caihong, a simple woman who would rather open her bookshop than cater to the whims of love. In a world of backstabbing and betrayal, she rebuffs all advances of love.

Male Lead: Emperor Yunlong, the most powerful man in the empire and respected war veteran. He has several concubines, but no wife due to his inability to make children.
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If given the chance between opening a bookshop versus marrying a powerful emperor...

I'd choose the bookshop in a heartbeat. And I did.

My life before my reincarnation was quite the journey. In my youth, I realized that I had no attraction toward anyone once I reached high school. At first, I thought that something was wrong with me and sought out the help of my cousin who lived with me at the time. This was when I discovered that there was a certain group of people who didn't have the drive for sexual or relationship love at all and it was perfectly fine to feel the way I am. I embraced that life to the fullest because it got me out of the fear of finding love or worrying about being rejected. I was free, I was thriving, and there was nothing my folks could do about it. I wasn't even thinking of having children anyways and planned to live out the rest of my life surrounded by friends and family who cared.

Until I got hit by a bus on the way home from work.

When I opened my eyes, I was in the body of a young woman named Caihong. This young lady belonged to a very toxic family of sisters who wanted nothing more than to tear their eldest sister apart. My two younger sisters were constantly trying to make me look bad in front of the court and would sabotage my attempts at wooing some handsome emperor. The scene I had opened my eyes to involved a secret tea party planned by the two of them with smirks on their faces and tea dripping down my face. The emperor was coming later that night for dinner since our family was quite an influential figures.

It was at that moment I realized that I could avoid whatever stupid fate that this life was giving this woman. What words I said next would change the course of history forever.
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"Caihong, why don't you do us a favor and back down? There's no way you would ever attract the emperor with your ugly looks."

The shrill voice of my middle sister Lulong penetrated my ears. Lulong was born to our father's second wife and had quite an inferiority complex. She believes that she deserves a life better than what we are given and has made connections with the emperor's mother through beauty training. In fact, of us three, she has a better chance of becoming the empress. Who could blame her for her dark blue locks, warm brown eyes, and beautiful pale skin?

"I'm sure that some older gentleman would love a woman as plain as you. Why not just give it up now and live the rest of your life in shame?"

Sitting beside her was my younger sister MeiMei, who was the final child from the first wife and my real little sis. She grew up alongside Lulong and gained her spiteful behavior. She was a brilliant woman that spent her days learning poetry and art. She designed her clothing for the other noble ladies and gave me scraps that she had left over. Our mother favors her the most since she believes MeiMei will start a big business and bring honor to our family.

Both of them saw me as lesser than others since I had no skills or talents to call my own. The only thing I did all day was write in my journal and read passages from the local book peddler. I stood outside the lines and let them take over the courtly duties and conversations. Several thought I was just a shadow that hovered in the background of my two sisters.

This was great because what I do from this point on is going to be big.

Wiping my face with a napkin after MeiMei had poured her tea on me, I took a breath and gave them both a wide smile.

"Okay, you can have him. I'm not going to interfere anymore."

There was a pregnant pause as the two pigs took a moment to register what I just said. MeiMei burst out in laughter while Lulong gave me a suspicious glare.

"Do you truly think us fools? No woman, well no woman worth their merit, would give up going after the emperor!" MeiMei wiped her tears. "Your jokes are not that funny sister."

"No..." Lulong scanned my face for any deceit or mockery. "She's serious."

"Wait what! Why would you possibly give up the chance of becoming a concubine to the Emperor?"

I took a long sip of tea before clearing my throat. 

"I actually....want to open a bookshop!"

The two just stared at me as if I grew three heads and started spewing fire. Probably because I was saying something out of the ordinary. Lulong's face was turning red as she was choking on her tea while MeiMei was giving me a look of pure befuddlement.

"You're just going to open a bookshop? That's ridiculous! You could have been the Emperor's concubine!" She slammed her hands down on the table. "I refuse to believe that you would give up a lap of luxury for some stupid books."

"I don't want to be anyone's concubine. I want to do something that I love and that will benefit others."

Lulong wiped her mouth off with a napkin as she shook her head. "You always think about others. What about yourself for once?"

I now understood how Caihong became a villain now. Her sisters were very selfish and haughty, but saw things like intelligence and studying to be useless. In this day and age, a woman's only value was to be beautiful, be married, and have children. Not me though, I am a modern woman who had hopes and dreams. Caihong must've had no choice but to become something she hated in order to survive. I may not know the reason for the Emperor to kill her, but what I did know is that my sisters' behaviors were only this bad because of the day and age. I felt bad for them.

"I am thinking about myself. I want to be happy, and opening a bookshop will make me happy." I smiled at them, grabbing their hands gently. "So I am bowing out and letting you two try your hand. Our parents will be proud of you if he chooses one or both of you."

The confused faces of my sisters were the confirmation I needed.

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That evening the Emperor came with his trusted advisor. His name was Yunlong, and he was quite handsome. No wonder the past me and my sisters had an attraction towards him. His long black hair was in a ponytail, his robes were draped over him just right, and his scent was that of birchwood. My sisters hade decided to go all out for him, wearing their finest robes and jewelry that caught the eye. Apparently, they still thought I was jesting as they sent their servants to give me some crappy robes and tarnished jewelries to adorn myself with. Be that as it were, I just put on a plain white dress and slippers and made my way to the kitchen.

I helped my mother with making the meal for the feast we were serving him. Something told me that my recipes along with hers would make a big impression on him. Luckily I wrote down one of my favorite recipes from the modern era to impress him. Gotta say, it made me miss drunken noodles of the shop I usually venture to. Not to mention some commodities that would make life a tad bit easier.

"That was indeed a nice meal." The Emperor declared, wiping his face off. "I have never had my noodles drenched in so much broth before, but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome."

"Thank you, your highness! My eldest daughter made them." My mother gave me a proud look as she flaunted my skills. "I do say she would make for an excellent wife."

I could practically feel my sisters glaring at me from across the table. One sat on the left side of the emperor while the other sat on the right. Both were still giving me mean look as if to say they still didn't believe my words from earlier. All I did was shrug and take a long sip of tea.

"Well I am certainly impressed. I am happy to be engaged to such a intelligent woman." He gave me a warm smile. "I'm certain we will get along just fine."

I paused in my drinking before looking him in the eyes. "Your highness, while I am eternally grateful for the offer, I must decline."

Gasps rose up from the table as my sisters' faces paled, my father's turned red with anger, and my mother nearly fainted. The advisor gave me a look of disbelief as if I had grown three heads. This reaction was warranted since I did nothing but give the emperor a no. I half assumed that he would strike me down or kill me in an instant.

To my surprise, he merely chuckled in amusement.

"Are you certain that this is what you want? If you were my concubine, I would lavish you with fancy robes, jewelry, and other things your heart desires."

"Thank you, but I prefer to earn those on my own. Gifts are one thing, but to gain them with my wits and money would be a sweeter reward."

"How about attending parties with ladies of the court? You would gain a social standing and have many allies."

"I care not for parties and would rather showcase my own skills for all to see in a more intimate setting."

"Oh? And if you do not want me to marry you, what do you want to do?"

I gave him a big grin. "I wish to open my own bookshop! I want to write books, collaborate with others to sell their books, and give people books so that they can enjoy them too! So, once again, I mean no harm in my words, but I would prefer to be a writer and bookseller instead of one of your concubines."

My father slammed his hands against the table, finally breaking out of the trance he was under. "You foolish child! How dare you tell his highness no! Think about your future and how this will change your life!"

"I am thinking about my future, which is mine to decide and not you." I snapped back, glaring at the man who was my father. "I do not love the emperor as much as my sisters do. Why not allow them a chance to marry instead of me? After all, I am just your useless child that no one wants."

A cough interrupted our argument as the emperor gave my father a cold look. "You dare says such things to this woman! Just sitting here and having a conversation with her I realize how foolish you are to someone like her. She is witty, wise, and has a point. I cannot force her to marry me no matter how hard I want her." He turned back to me and closed his eyes. "I'm surprised that you chose to open a bookshop instead of becoming my concubine."

"I have no interest in being a concubine. I want to make a difference in the world and share knowledge with others." I bowed towards him. "Please understand."

He opened his eyes, filled with admiration and...sadness? "I respect your decision. I will visit your bookshop sometime and perhaps we can discuss some of the books you have there. Allow me to at least give you some money to start your business."

This was better than I had anticipated! I thought for sure he would force me into marriage or even cut my tongue off! Even my sisters were surprised to see that I was still alive and talking! I hastily cleaned off the plates from the table so that we could discuss business. My parents were stunned by my grit and determination as they spoke with the emperor about marrying one of my sisters. From the corner of my eyes, I see my youngest sister give me what appears to be a soft smile. Perhaps my risky move was just what I needed to gain her trust. My middle sister was currently grinning from ear-to-ear as she clutched onto Yunglong's arm. I guess she was offered to be his concubine instead.

You know, as I looked back at the past memories of the former villainess, I realized just how neglect and hatred drove her to acting out as she did. Her only love was for books and writing, but she never got to pursue that passion. If only she had spoken out like I did. If only she stood up for herself when her sisters mocked and scorned her. If only she could've done things differently...

As I washed the dishes that night, I essentially realized that this would be a new chapter for my life. I had broken the cycle, tried something new, and stood against what everyone spoke about me. Now the emperor respects me, my sisters have lessened their tempers against me, and I was going to open my bookshop!

Yeah, everything is going to work out just fine!

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Wow, a story with a happier ending than most!

And one of the longest ones to write for and write....

Thank you all for the support and love for the villainess story genre! Without you all, we wouldn't have such a large cast! So, the next chapter will be a special for everyone who has requested stories and everyone who loves the plots!

Stay tuned for more!