Crimson Canglan

[Mystery + detective work and deduction + revenge + a devoted, exclusive couple]

After her father and brothers died in battle, Chu Weiyao took command of the 200,000-strong Chu family army they left behind, despite being a woman. She never imagined that control of those troops would attract the covetous attention of every faction at court.

Xu Zhifan, heir to the Marquis of Yong'an, was handsome, well-versed in both literature and warfare, and skilled in everything. While the Duke of Chu's household was in turmoil, he deliberately approached Chu Weiyao and helped her take command of the 200,000-strong Chu army. After three years, he finally won her heart, and they married.

But in the third month of their marriage, he schemed to slaughter 5,000 of the Chu family's elite guards and hunted down Chu Weiyao, leaving her face disfigured.

Luckily, a ghost doctor saved her and changed her appearance. Only then did Chu Weiyao begin to suspect that there was more to her father and brothers' deaths in battle.

She assumed a new identity and returned to the capital to investigate the truth behind their deaths. With her senior brother's help, she gradually pieced together the clues and uncovered what had really happened.

This led to a shocking case. Her father and brothers' deaths had been part of a grand scheme, and she, her senior brother, and Xu Zhifan were all pawns. The one moving them, however, was none other than the Duke of Chu, who had supposedly died in battle long ago.

While investigating her father and brothers' deaths, Chu Weiyao crossed paths with the current eighth prince. Their feelings for each other were complicated.

Was this a tale of a substitute, or a love neither could resist?