In the Great Yan Dynasty, the winter of Yongchang's seventh year, the emperor lay gravely ill and undercurrents surged through the court.
Xiao Jingheng, heir to the Prince of Yan, appeared gentle and refined, but concealed his true depths. He trod carefully through the treacherous struggle for imperial power.
Eleven was both the sharpest blade at the heir's side and his most loyal shield. A silver mask hid his past. No one knew where he came from; they only knew he was the deadliest shadow guard in the heir's service.
An imperial decree sending them to inspect the southern frontier drew the two into an even greater conspiracy. Assassinations, poisonings, framing... A deadly plot that seemed aimed at the heir pointed at every turn toward the mystery of Eleven's origins.
As ancient totems of the southern frontier emerged once more, and secrets of the former dynasty intertwined with the power struggles of the present, where should the shadow guard's blade be pointed?
“Your Highness, if one day I were to stand against your realm...”
“My realm is not as important to me as you are.”
This is a contest of political intrigue and true affection. Between loyalty and betrayal, country and personal feelings, can they fight their way to survival?
Being a shadow guard is hard: hard to remain loyal and righteous, and harder still when feelings quietly take root.
It's like the love between two career-minded people. The plot is basically about the turmoil in the court and the leader going to war, and the two of them are either injured or on the way to injury, especially Eleven, who was injured before he healed, and another injury happened. I really feel sorry for them, their lives are as miserable as bitter gourds. The plot is very in-depth, and it was very brain-burning for me to watch, but it was not boring. It's more about tactics than feelings, but it doesn't leave you cold, with a little emotion embellished in it. After Xiao Jingheng became emperor, he wanted to keep Eleven by his side to protect him, but Eleven is a strong eagle, not a sparrow who needs to be protected behind him all the time. So when Xiao Jingheng faced the court and the crisis behind his back, Eleven risked himself time and time again in the crisis to try his best for the future stability of the two of them. The two of them will not delay important matters because of their feelings. They will only lick each other's wounds when they can catch their breath a little, tell each other their love during the brief calm, and then plunge into this crisis. The extra chapter is well written, and the little warmth after the calm is reflected in the extra chapter. However, there is one missing chapter. It's a pity that I came late and didn't read it.
There's more drama in the early stages