Spring in the Cage

She was the crown princess of Zelu City. Though bedridden with illness from childhood, she was shrewd and skilled at planning ahead.

But then her army was defeated overnight, and the invincible iron cavalry of Chiyuan City invaded her homeland.

She put aside her hatred for her siblings and even killed her father, the emperor, surrendering to the enemy only to save the people of Zelu City from slaughter.

The ruthless, heartless eldest prince of Chiyuan treated her like a plaything, humiliating her at every turn. Yet time and again, he found himself drawn to her composure and reason, until he forced her to marry into his household.

On their wedding night, he gazed at her tenderly.

“I know you hate me to the bone, but now that you’ve married me, you’ll be my woman for the rest of your life.”

Her eyes were distant and indifferent. She said nothing.

Years later, smoke rose from the battlefield beneath the royal city of Chiyuan. She gazed down at the man fighting for his life below, the corner of her mouth lifting in a sorrowful smile.

“Helian Jue, you dragged me into hell, so I’ll drag you down into the deepest abyss. From this day on, whatever affection and love we once shared, whatever resentment and hatred we bore, we’re even.”