A Substitute Bride in Red: The Noblewoman Who Rules the Court

Female lead: Shen Qingci, 21, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor. Skilled in medicine and unmatched at chess, she appears gentle but is exceptionally shrewd. A decree left by the late emperor forces her to take her younger sister's place and marry the Northguard Prince, who is rumored to be violent and crippled.

Male lead: Xiao Jue, 24, the Northguard Prince. His true identity is the late emperor's secret guard commander. His disability is a ruse; he secretly controls an intelligence network and has spent years lying low to purge the imperial court.

Synopsis: An arranged marriage forces two souls harboring secrets to bind their fates together. She thinks she is a pawn, unaware that she has already entered the game. He thinks she is a spy, but gradually gives her his heart. When the imperial court is rocked by upheaval, the two go from testing one another to standing side by side, ultimately uncovering a shocking conspiracy that threatens the foundations of the kingdom.