Ming Shiyao plans to marry into the imperial family, gain power, and uncover the bloody case from forty years ago. But her legitimate elder sister rejects He Hongyuan, the new top scholar handpicked by their legal mother for the Princess’s residence, and insists on snatching the dissolute Prince Qi whom Shiyao has been plotting to marry for ages.
Prince Qi breaks off the engagement and chooses Ming Shichen instead. Their legal mother can only comfort Ming Shiyao, promising to find her a better match someday.
But the Princess specifically requests a lavish wedding, with the proper matchmakers and betrothal gifts, and a grand bridal procession to welcome Ming Shiyao into the family.
Everyone in the capital knows that the refined and peerlessly elegant He Hongyuan, the newly appointed top scholar, has a childhood sweetheart and unattainable first love, Zhao Linjun. For her sake, he once turned down a marriage to a princess.
Ming Shiyao never expects that she and He Hongyuan will be a loving couple. As long as they can treat each other with respect and live in harmony, that will be enough.
She never expected that two months after their wedding, Zhao Linjun would return with glorious victories from pacifying the border. She asks for neither office nor wealth, only to marry He Hongyuan.
As Ming Shiyao packs her things and prepares to leave, the cold and distant He Hongyuan’s eyes turn red. He clutches her hands tightly.
Zhao Linjun says, “Without us guarding the border and driving back the enemy, where would your riches and luxuries come from? Look at me, the general, with all my military achievements. You should be the one to ask for a divorce.”
Ming Shiyao looks at the many soldiers behind Zhao Linjun. The instant they meet her gaze, they all kneel on the ground. “Miss, we’ve returned from battle as ordered.”
