Su Mingmo, the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis of Zhenxi, inherited his grandfather’s will. His grandfather had helped the late emperor conquer the realm and was a formidable hero of his age. His father, however, became entangled in a web of political schemes and self-interest. Though he had someone he loved, he married for power, taking the legitimate second daughter of the Duke of Anguo, who was also the younger sister of the current empress. After the wedding, he doted on his concubine and neglected his wife, leaving Su Mingmo’s mother to die of sorrow. Su Mingmo carried on his grandfather’s legacy and went to fight on the northwestern front. A dashing young man in fine clothes, he rode into battle after battle and won great distinction, earning the name General Su. Now his own master, he is proud, unruly, carefree, and spontaneous, the ideal husband in the eyes of the noble young ladies of the capital.
Jiang Liyan, the only daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, lost both parents in battle as they defended the northern frontier. The Zhenbei family’s ancestral teaching is to love only one person for a lifetime, so the marquisate has no collateral branches or other relatives. Jiang Liyan’s mother was a woman of the martial world, leaving her with no maternal relatives either. Her only family is an aunt who serves in the palace as Consort Shu. The emperor bestowed on Jiang Liyan the title of Princess Qingning. Following her father’s legacy, she guards the north and becomes the Great Xia dynasty’s first female general. She appears cool and distant, but is in truth deeply loyal and devoted to those she loves.
