Jiang Huai, the second daughter of the Chancellor's household, is bold, innocent, and utterly confident. During a fleeting encounter in the capital, she accidentally saves Xi Yu, a graceful young gentleman as radiant as the moon. She believes the rest of her life will be peaceful and happy.
On the day chaos engulfs the capital, her entire family is executed. Still dressed in her wedding gown, she is dragged into prison. When Xi Yu, cold and heartless, arrives, every fantasy and vow is shattered. Jiang Huai was merely a pawn in his bid for the throne. In the end, all she receives is deceit and manipulation, and once he has succeeded, he orders her silenced for good.
The poisoned wine reaches her throat. Looking back on her life, she sees nothing but lies. With a bitter smile, she drains the cup and falls to the ground.
Jiang Huai's maid is tossed onto a straw mat and left at a mass grave. Her mute personal bodyguard rescues her and takes her to Li.
The imperial guardsman who has returned is brought before Xi Yu to answer his questions. With an impassive expression and an even voice, Xi Yu asks, "Did the Second Miss leave any words before she died?"
"Your Majesty, the Second Miss wishes you all you desire."
Xi Yu says nothing and leaves without a care, yet the image of the girl whose heart and eyes held only him, whose smile was as radiant as peach blossoms, keeps appearing in his mind.
He falls gravely ill. In a feverish haze, he dreams that she jumps from a high terrace before him. He watches coldly, showing no emotion. She was only a woman, after all. Now he possesses the realm, and beautiful women are his for the taking. He can forget her in a matter of days.
But in the dead of night, a faint ache in his heart spreads unchecked, piercing his bones and leaving him unable to eat or sleep. The Second Miss, who feared bitterness and loved sweets, must have been afraid when she drank the poisoned wine. Did she cry?
Xi Yu keeps dreaming of her, that spoiled and innocent Second Miss. In the dead of night, his eyes finally redden. His anguish and remorse come far too late, leaving him to miss her day and night.
