Shen Qingci, the censor of a poor family, in order to investigate the old grievances of his family and impeach his relatives for corruption, he bravely entered the treacherous court, but was framed and found himself in a deadlock.
At the critical moment, the prince Xiao Jue, known as the "idle prince", brought him into the East Palace in the name of "cherishing talents". Shen Qingci was wary - he didn't believe there was sincerity in the palace, and even more suspected that the prince wanted to use him as a pawn in the game.
During the years in the East Palace, suspicions always follow. He regards Xiao Jue's secret protection as a pavement for "killing the donkey" and the other party's defense in court as an excuse for "humiliation"; Xiao Jue hides his sincerity and uses indifference as an armor, fearing that honesty will drag him deeper into the whirlpool of power. The assassin's blade, the trap of perjury, and the frame-up of relatives push the two to the edge of life and death again and again, and the hidden sincerity gradually emerges in the crisis.
Risking their lives to protect each other on the execution ground, and confessing late at night in the secret stronghold, Shen Qingci finally saw clearly: the prince's "idleness" was a disguise, and his forbearance was to protect the country; and Xiao Jue also understood that he had already included this "upright lone star" in the future he wanted to protect.
When his relatives fell and the country was in sight, Xiao Jue hesitated and retreated because of the "responsibility of the prince". This time, it was Shen Qingci who held his hand: "I want to witness the prosperous life promised by His Highness with my own eyes; I even want to accompany him to the end for the rest of his life."
A manipulative love that begins with suspicion and ends with each other. Let's see how these two gentlemen protect their family, country, and sincerity amidst the strife of imperial power.
