Cherished on the Desk

By imperial decree, Ning Zhian, the legitimate daughter of the Yongning Marquis’s household, is to marry Xiahou Yi, the Prince of Yi, known throughout the capital as the living King of Hell and the true power behind the northern border’s armies. The Grand Madam’s hand trembles as she clutches the imperial edict. Is this marriage the emperor’s test, or Xiahou Yi’s scheme? While offering incense at Xiangguo Temple, Ning Zhian slips on moss as slick as oil. There had been no water there the day before. Was it an accident, or was someone trying to use another person to get rid of this “troublesome” princess consort? From the roof of the Sutra Library, Xiahou Yi fixes her with an eagle’s sharp gaze. “Always praying to the gods whenever trouble comes… Such cowardice saves me the trouble of taking action myself.” When Ning Zhian tumbles down the stone steps, blood trickling from her temple and her mind growing hazy… Is she truly, as Xiahou Yi claims, nothing more than a sheltered young woman who bows her head to the gods? Or is this “accident” the first step she has taken?