[Political Intrigue + Angst + Feigned Affection with a Hint of Sincerity + A Beloved Who Died Young]
[Dragon-Slaying Ahead]
The late emperor’s imperial jade seal has been missing for three years. Luo Chuxiao spends every day pretending to be a wise ruler while playing the factions against each other. Others enter the palace to compete for favor; Gu Wanying enters to “run a scam.” She fakes a pregnancy to gain his trust, treats the hidden guards as disposable tools, and even uses the weeds growing over her beloved Su Jin’s grave as leverage over the emperor.
Luo Chuxiao thinks he’s getting a great deal: he’s acquired a ruthless player who can keep an eye on the empress and take on the prime minister, with a “royal heir” thrown in as a bonus. A huge political win at no cost!
Gu Wanying thinks to herself: “I’ve fooled that scoundrel Luo again today. I’m one step closer to avenging A Jin!”
Only when he’s on the execution platform does he realize: this wasn’t taking a pawn. He’d let a wolf into his house!
