Title: A Lonesome Fragrance Waiting to be Appreciated (aka Gu Fang Bu Zi Shang)
Author: Feng Nong
Translator: xah
Novel Source: Moon Bunny Cafe; http://moonbunnycafe.com/a-lonesome-fragrance-waiting-to-be-appreciated/
Manhua source: MangaRock
Webcomic source: Tapas
(if you're new to the app, type in the invite code SPIC004X when you first get it in order to receive some free coins)
Description:
Bai Pingting has always been contrary to the saying, "A woman's virtue is ignorance."
Although she serves the Marquess of Jing-An as a maid, she leads a life far richer than most women. Her plain appearance is not what defines her - but her intelligence, far beyond many wise men.
Although Chu Beijie was an enemy general, she still cannot help being attracted to this man, despite the many lies and conspiracies...but between love and loyalty, she must make a choice. She can only hope that man's love for her isn't as deep as she thought.
One is a soul who seemingly destroys peace while the other aspires to be the sword that saves. Between them, lies a mountain of hate...
Who of the two most cunning people on earth cast the trap and just who captured the other?
o o o
(EDIT: I know this recommendation was up before but I'm republishing it because I finally found the original source of all the translated chapters and because of the addition of its new official Tapas webcomic)
With no transmigration or reincarnation, this is a novel for people who love romance, strategy and smart female leads. Bai Pingting isn't drop dead gorgeous but she's still sought after by kings, kingdoms, and generals for her brains. The beauty of her mind is so devastating that it could literally cause the downfall of cities.
The Male Lead is cold, handsome and powerful, a blackbelly. I have mixed feelings about him. One moment I would be fangirling over him, the next I would be rolling my eyes at some of his over the top decisions. He does love Bai Pingting, but too much in fact, to the point that he would be willing to sacrifice entire armies of men (who have lives and families of their own) for just a single her and even forgive her for something that no one in their right mind would.
The drama based on this novel is General and I, which was sometimes good and sometimes stupid (I finally dropped it near the end). I much prefer the novel over it.
There's also a manhua adaptation that you can find on Mangarock and other manga sites. It's really good, but I warn you: there are only 12 chapters. The artist/author hasn't released another volume in years. You can try it but you might be stuck for the rest of your days checking for an update that will never come.
Still want to see the story come to life in pictures? Lucky for you, you can find its new and official webcomic on Tapas.io under the name of Winter Blossom. I personally like the manhua version more because of the pacing of the plot, but unlike the manhua, this one is in color and it's easier to read since it's laid as a webtoon and not a scanned manhua page. This one is also more likely to be completed. (If you're new to the Tapas app, type in the invite code SPIC004X when you first get it in order to receive free coins).