As the daughter of a condemned official, Lin Nianxue has lived under an assumed name for ten years, building the biggest bookshop in the capital one ancient book at a time. She thought she would spend her whole life hiding in the shadows, until the day Song Yao, heir to the powerful Prince of Jing, placed a fragment of the Yongle Encyclopedia before her.
“Find the clues within ten days, and I will let you step into the light again.”
It was both a bargain and a dead end.
She ventures into the black market, probes royal secrets, and proceeds with caution, unaware that she has already become the sharpest piece on his chessboard. The world scoffs that she is currying favor with the powerful, never realizing that
Every seemingly casual act of protection is his carefully plotted way of getting closer to her.
When the treason case buried for ten years is finally brought to light, he takes her hand amid clashing blades: “Lin Nianxue, I offer you an empire as your bride price. Do you dare accept?”
[Reader's Guide]
Two formidable leads, flirting as they match wits
He falls for her first, and his domineering pursuit is all to keep her safe
The heroine is clear-headed and career-minded, wielding books like blades as she breaks through obstacles and makes her own way
