Your Highness, Your Subject

[Historical political intrigue in an imagined setting + cross-dressing heroine + powerful hero and heroine + devoted love]

He is Zhao Lingyun, the twelfth prince of Western Chu, born in the Cold Palace. To avenge his mother’s murder, he endures humiliation and hardship, willing even to betray his childhood sweetheart to ingratiate himself with Prince Guangyuan and get closer to the truth.

But on his wedding night, Southern Yan launches a surprise attack on the palace. In a single night, the throne changes hands, and years of scheming and patience come to nothing.

She is Xue Zhenqing, the beloved daughter of Western Chu’s Grand Minister of Ceremonies. Her carefree life is utterly upended by a fleeting glimpse of him atop the Cold Palace wall.

Betrayed by the man she loves, who marries someone else, then devastated by her brother’s brutal death and her country’s fall, she goes from an untouchable beauty to fallen petals crushed into the dust.

They reunite while fleeing for their lives. The two fugitives decide to put their grievances aside and join forces to restore their country.

He lies low in Shu, biding his time and building his strength for a counterattack.

She disguises herself as a man and infiltrates Southern Yan’s court, throwing the political landscape into chaos.

But when everything is ready and the campaign to restore Western Chu is about to begin, she changes her mind…

She: “Between the mountains and rivers lies Tong Pass. In times of prosperity and decline, it is the people who suffer.”

He: “If peace can reign across the land, I will gladly bow and serve you.”

[Content warning: The relationship is not mutually exclusive.]