This novel blends political intrigue and power struggles with sweet romance and deep devotion. Centered on two generations of steadfast love and protection, it paints a grand portrait of a prosperous age where peace for the nation and the bonds of love intertwine.
The grudges of the previous dynasty remain unsettled. Su Qinghuan, a reborn legitimate daughter, returns carrying a hatred she intends to avenge, only to encounter Xie Heng, the iron-fisted regent, amid the whirlpool of political intrigue. One is a brilliant and decisive noblewoman, unmatched in wit and strategy; the other is a ruthless prince with power over the entire court. From wary testing to mutual trust, they join forces to break through the shifting dangers of court politics: battling the Empress Dowager's maternal relatives, purging remnants of the previous dynasty, stabilizing the young ruler's government, and defending the lands of Dayin. Xie Heng's wholehearted devotion complements Su Qinghuan's cleverness. From the flutter of their hearts beneath a crabapple tree to their vow to grow old hand in hand, their sweet romance and deep devotion endure throughout their political struggles, making them a legendary couple envied by all.
As time passes, their son, Xie Cheng'an, grows into an adult, inheriting his parents' intelligence and resilience. He distinguishes himself at the Imperial Academy and earns merit on the frontier. The spirited young man falls for Shen Zhiwei, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, but the emperor's suspicions bring one complication after another. Facing the pressure of imperial authority and the undercurrents of court politics, Xie Cheng'an shoulders responsibility at a young age, while he and Shen Zhiwei remain devoted to each other. With his parents' protection and guidance, he endures palace intrigues and frontier warfare, eventually clears his name and stabilizes the court. Thus he carries on the family legacy: standing beside the one he loves and protecting their homeland together.
