On their wedding night, Xue Qi splashes the nuptial wine in Xiao Ce's face.
“Your Highness, did you think a marriage certificate would let you control my father's troops?”
Three years ago, he ruined her reputation and forced her to become his concubine. Now the dynasty has changed hands, and the new emperor has decreed their marriage.
She smiles and unfurls a bloodstained map of the frontier defenses:
“I want the realm to bear the Xue name.”
Xiao Ce wipes away the wine and smiles.
“How fortuitous. I was just hoping to use you to... kill the emperor.”
