The Song of the Caged Bird

[Not both leads’ first relationships + no rebirth + no transmigration + not a strong female lead + angst and sweetness + push and pull + no perfect characters]

Chen Yanzhi is a powerful prince of Great Chen, decisive and ruthless, yet remarkably patient and tolerant toward the Chen clan. Burdened with responsibility for his country and people, he has no choice but to cast aside his own desires. He often resorts to any means necessary to achieve his goals. His upright benevolence and ruthless decisiveness simply cannot be reconciled, forcing him to conceal his scheming nature more and more deeply.

Li Yiner is the daughter of a border garrison commander. She is carefree and clever, but like anyone else, she has a temper and her own little quirks. Her father’s modest rank could have given her a stable life. When she follows him back to the capital after his reassignment, her excitement comes mostly from anticipation of seeing the man she loves and hope for life in the capital. But the wheels of fate begin to turn, crushing every beautiful dream of a young girl in love.

Chen Yanzhi loves Li Yiner, but he is also skilled at taking what he wants by force. He has struck her, tortured her, and fallen for her. The heroine, too, has struck the hero’s flesh and blood and fought back against his blade.

After a tumultuous struggle, Li Yiner enters the prince’s household as a concubine, leaves in disgrace, then marries into the household again. Only then does she learn of Chen Yanzhi’s suffering. Now she doesn’t know whom to resent. The two hurt and love each other without realizing it...

While imprisoned, Li Yiner protects the people she cares about, sinking deeper with every step until her hands are on the verge of being stained with blood.

“Yiner! Let me protect you!”

“My lord, there’s no need. I can do it too.” The naive young girl eventually takes control of Great Chen’s largest intelligence network, turning the shadow network into a powerful tool for protecting the realm.

“I know you can!”