Xu Shuning was twelve years old. She had lived with her mother and older sister in Tianping Village since she was little. They weren't well-off, but they had a carefree life.
She thought her life would stay that way, but then her father, who had been missing for ten years, suddenly returned to their hometown. And he was a great general!
What! They were going to the capital to live in comfort?
What kind of unbelievable fortune was this, that it had landed right in their laps?
The war had just ended, and the country was in ruins, waiting to be rebuilt.
But the capital was still as prosperous as ever, and the three of them felt awkward even taking a step.
It was the spring season for riding horses when the first top scholar since the war ended appeared, regarded by the people as an omen of good luck.
Shuning squeezed into the crowd to watch the parade on horseback.
Like countless others who had come to see the excitement, she wanted to catch a glimpse of the top scholar.
Unfortunately, Shuning was short and weak, and she was soon pushed to the very back of the crowd.
Shuning first met the heir of Prince Ning'an's household at Princess Xinyue's wedding.
Red silk and brocade, music and celebration stretching on and on.
But Shuning wasn't happy.
In fact, disaster struck.
The first person Shuning waited for in the cellar
was not one of her family,
but a frail, unfamiliar man she had never seen before,
who brought her news more painful than having her heart carved out.
[Shuning's Thoughts]
Treason?
You'd better think carefully before saying that.
This world has always belonged to those in power.
Whether someone is good or bad, loyal or treacherous, depends on a single word from those in power.
When they need you, you're good in every way.
When they don't, you can do no right.
Now,
this world is mine to shape,
and I am the one who writes the history books.
Whether someone is good or bad, loyal or treacherous, is all up to me.
It feels like a very ordinary story between a family.