[A beautiful, cool-hearted woman who hides a ruthless side vs. a cold, unfeeling crown prince who has no interest in romance]
[Palace intrigue + both leads’ first love + marriage before love + two strong leads + lovers and rivals]
The Chancellor’s residence holds immense power. Fearing an alliance between the civil and military factions, the emperor betroths Xie Jinan to Crown Prince Mu Xuzhou before she comes of age.
No one believes the match will work, but she is the one who steps into the game. She wants to investigate the mysterious death of her elder sister, advance the Chancellor’s plans, and rise to power.
On their wedding night, the crown prince throws down the nuptial wine and storms away in anger.
She smiles, takes off the ill-fitting wedding dress of her deceased elder sister, puts on white mourning clothes, and pays tribute to her sister’s memorial tablet in the bridal chamber.
From beginning to end, every move she makes is calculated.
“Men are the least dependable of all. Their sincerity vanishes in an instant. The emperor fears the power of my family, yet I’m determined to make sure the future emperor carries the blood of the Xie family...”
“My gentle concern was false, my tender attentions were false. The schemes were real, the ambition was real. I deceived you. I’ve been lying from beginning to end.”
When the cold-hearted crown prince, who has no interest in romance, finally comes to his senses and falls helplessly in love, he faces his rival and prepares to shoot him with a bow. He draws the string as far as it will go, but then his strength gives out.
“I want to kill him, but I’m afraid you’ll cry yourself red-eyed over him.”
“Jinan, once a dagger is drawn, its blade must draw blood. Don’t be afraid. I’ll teach you where to stab me so it hurts the most.”
“So you’ve been lying from beginning to end. Whether your feelings are false or true, you were the one who started this. We’ll spend the rest of our lives tangled up in each other.”
