During the Taining era of the Eastern Jin dynasty, powerful clans were deeply entrenched, descendants of the previous dynasty lay low in secret, and the emperor both relied on and distrusted the great families. As the political center, Chang’an appeared prosperous and peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents ran deep. The fates of the Yao and Xu families became entangled in the turmoil of a changing throne.
From the tender beginning of an alliance made on a rainy night, through the warmth of childhood sweethearts, to the dangers surrounding the appearance of the imperial seal and the exposure of secret negotiations, everything culminates in a family upheaval amid the great fire on Lantern Festival. Yao Xuening falls from a cherished young lady to an orphan, while Xu Mingyuan goes from a gentle young gentleman to a pawn burdened with the mission of restoring his dynasty. Through trials of blood and fire, they must confront the rift caused by their families’ hatred while protecting the love they hold in their hearts amid political schemes. Through court struggles, martial-world factions, and harem intrigue, the story portrays the struggle between love and duty, and the choices between trust and betrayal in a turbulent age.
