Shen Tingxue, the legitimate daughter branded a “jinx” and abandoned by her family at a Daoist temple, is summoned back overnight to marry the Seventh Prince, Rong Yuan, a “crippled good-for-nothing,” in her younger sister’s place. The whole city waits to laugh at this pair of “useless” spouses, unaware that on their wedding night, both drop their disguises: she is the leader of the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion, which controls intelligence across the realm, while he is a hidden dragon with the secret guard organization Dark Shadow at his command.
“Your Highness, shall we make a deal? I’ll heal your leg, and you’ll help me get revenge.” Their mutually beneficial bargain binds two formidable allies together. At a palace banquet, she uses a poem to face-slap everyone, and he drapes his cloak over her in front of the crowd, making his claim clear. When assassins strike, she reveals her martial arts skills to protect him, and he risks his life to keep her safe.
From testing each other to fighting side by side, she stirs up turmoil in the court while he commands the whole game from behind the scenes. As the battle for the throne reaches its height, Rong Yuan is struck by a strange poison. Shen Tingxue doesn’t hesitate to reveal her identity, turning the might of the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion against the world. The Shen family kneels to beg forgiveness, and the entire court erupts in shock. Rong Yuan simply draws her into his arms. “My woman was always destined to be a true phoenix of the heavens.”
This is a game of strategy with the realm as its board and people’s hearts as its pieces. It is also the imperial love story of two master schemers who go from contract spouses to reigning together at the pinnacle of power.
