She is the general who guards the nation. He is a captured prince from an enemy kingdom.
She holds the city with her spear; he lays his traps like pieces on a board.
On the day she returns victorious, the emperor bestows four husbands upon her: her childhood sweetheart, a wastrel, a white lotus, and him, chained in gold and made her secondary consort.
The entire court laughs: the general has had her wings clipped.
But they do not know that at the other end of the golden chain is the heart he has plotted for ten years to win.
The court suppresses her; loyal ministers die wrongful deaths, and her steadfast heart is shattered.
Before her eyes, he burns the secret decree from his homeland and offers her the web of schemes he has spent his life weaving.
On a snowy night, she points her spear at the heavens. “If heaven will not accept me, then I will break heaven itself!”
He smiles, grasps the spearhead, and bows in submission.
“Your servant is willing to clear the way for you to claim the throne.”
[Two formidable leads + political intrigue + a remorseful pursuit of love]
I like the heroine's decisiveness, lack of procrastination, iron-blooded general, and tenderness of a woman. Missing is missing. No amount of regret can replace the hurt. Don't forgive the last one, the next one will be better.