The Strategy of the Sunken Beauty

Li Bai once wrote: “Xi Shi, a girl from Yue, came from Mount Zhuluo. Her beauty eclipsed all others, and even lotus blossoms were shy beside her jade-like face. She washed silk in the green waters, at ease with the rippling waves. Her pearly teeth rarely parted; she lingered in thought beneath the blue clouds.”

She was breathtakingly beautiful, enough to make Fuchai, king of her enemy state, lose his heart and follow his desires. Though she carried the hatred of her father’s murder and her country’s destruction, she admired this proud, extraordinary young emperor, a gifted strategist. Torn between vengeance for her family and country and her feelings for him, she met “him” and from then on willingly risked her life to help him in secret, seeking peace for all under Heaven. He was learned and talented, filled with noble virtue, and harbored deep feelings for “her.” Yet he had to endure humiliation and shoulder heavy burdens to revive his family and country and restore order to the realm. After three years of struggles for royal power, palace intrigue, and political maneuvering, armies finally clashed. The King of Yue at last returned to his homeland, and peace came to both countries. Their long-held wish was fulfilled. But beneath the vast winds, where could these lovers’ tender feelings go from here?