Mountains and Rivers for Paper, Love for Ink: Half a Life Adrift, Half a Life in Song

Huo Zhiyu, the beloved eldest daughter of the Minister of Works, longs for the chivalrous freedom of the martial world. Fate deals her a cruel hand: her father is framed, the Minister’s residence is destroyed, and she is reduced to a government servant. Thanks to her mother’s plans, she fakes her death with the help of Mosa, a prince of the Black Khanate, and escapes to Qingfeng Stronghold. Taking the name Zhang Zhi, she begins a free life in the martial world.

On one trip down the mountain, she rescues Li Xun from a bandit attack and falls deeply in love with him. But Li Xun loves someone else and treats her coldly. Huo Zhiyu wins him over with her sincerity, and their feelings grow stronger. Meanwhile, tensions between the imperial court and Qingfeng Stronghold escalate. Her former love, Chen Liufang, is ordered to lead an expedition against the stronghold, and they face each other in battle. To protect the stronghold, her grandfather takes his own life. Grief-stricken, Huo Zhiyu heads north to search for her family.

Years later, Li Xun clears the Huo family’s name. The two reunite at a tavern in Jiangnan, and at last their love, hatred, and longing find a home.