In 1127, the Jingkang Incident erupted with devastating force. Jin troops stormed the imperial city of Kaifeng, bringing the Northern Song dynasty's century-long rule to an abrupt end. The emperors Huizong and Qinzong were taken captive and sent north, while thousands of imperial relatives and court officials became prisoners. The Central Plains lay scorched for a thousand li, and corpses covered the land. Su Tangyin, the legitimate daughter of the wealthiest family in Jiangnan in her previous life, poured all of the Su family's wealth and connections into rescuing Zhao Gou, who was fleeing for his life. She devoted herself to supporting him, spending money to help the people, reforming the government, and stabilizing the court. She willingly became a substitute for the woman Zhao Gou loved, tolerated his favoritism, raised the two sons he had with his concubine, and painstakingly brought up his adopted son, Zhao Shen. She personally promoted Qin Hui to balance power at court and protected Yue Fei and the other loyal ministers who fought against the Jin. She gave everything to help Zhao Gou achieve his imperial ambitions.
Yet Zhao Gou was cold-hearted and selfish, favoring his concubine Liu Wuyan, also known as the Mongolian princess Yeli Andun. To grovel for peace and secure his imperial power, he had Yue Fei unjustly executed, grew wary of the Su family's influence, fabricated charges of treason, wiped out the entire Su clan, and gave Su Tangyin a cup of poisoned wine. Qin Hui took advantage of their downfall and slaughtered the Su family's branches. Su Tangyin had wasted her life on the wrong man, lost her family, and died with hatred in her heart.
This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.
