Xiao Yu, once the God of War in a matriarchal dynasty, was too powerful for her ruler to tolerate. Her beloved wife ended her life with a cup of poison. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the patriarchal Great Yong Dynasty, having become the prince consort through the domineering actions of Princess Li Huangyue.
She is the most dazzling sun in all of Great Yong: decisive, willful, and unrestrained. She loves his peerless beauty, so with a single imperial decree she keeps him by her side, weaving a luxurious cage from endless gifts and overbearing protection.
Yet in her blazing love, he sees the familiar signs of murderous intent from his past life. He hides his brilliance, reins in his pride, and plays the part of the perfect, meek and respectful prince consort. But night after night, he wakes from nightmares of betrayal.
She thinks she has acquired an exquisite doll, but gradually discovers that in this golden cage bird’s eyes lies a solitary light that looks down upon the world. When she tears her skirts and writes a blood-soaked recommendation for her husband before the court; when she casts aside her phoenix crown and stands shoulder to shoulder with him before an army
Only then does she understand that love is not possession. It is standing beside him as they turn this topsy-turvy world upside down once more.
