Childhood sweethearts / Family upheaval / Rekindled love / A struggle for power
Yun Xi is the beloved only daughter of the chancellor's household. Her grandfather is the powerful Left Chancellor, and her childhood sweetheart is a young general feared on the frontier.
She thought she'd spend her whole life as a spoiled little tyrant, until the year she turned sixteen, when red wedding candles became white funeral banners and her entire family was executed.
Her grandfather burned himself to death in a final act of defiance, leaving her only a bloodstained Nine-Dragon Ruyi Scepter to Protect the Nation.
For five years, she hid her identity and pinned all her hopes on the letters from the frontier.
But Li Lie stopped writing.
To keep from dragging her down with him, he told her to forget him.
That night, as assassins closed in, blood awakened the “mad, beautiful ghost” who had slept inside the scepter for a hundred years
“A daughter of the Yun family must die on the path of revenge, even if she has to die! If he doesn't want you, big sis will take you back to kill them all!”
A great fire, and Yun Xi “died.”
In Jiangnan, a new figure emerged: “Young Master Yun,” a man with far-reaching influence and wealth beyond measure.
Years later, as tyranny ran rampant, Li Lie led three hundred thousand cavalry to purge the court, his eyes red with grief. He wanted justice for the woman in that lonely grave.
On the battlefield, the screen was drawn aside. Seeing the “Young Master Yun” who had orchestrated everything, his spear clattered to the ground.
She touched the Ruyi Scepter, warm in her hand, and looked at him coldly. “General, it's been a long time.”
“Beyond winding mountains, you vanish from sight; beneath distant lanterns, I gaze toward you.
I wait day and night, but still you do not return; I swear I'll cross a thousand mountains to find you.
On the eighth day of the ninth month, autumn arrives; our banners ride the west wind to knock upon the palace gate.
When the smoke of war clears, we meet again; I'll offer you the whole realm as my bride price.”
This time, I'll bring you this vast realm and beg you to come back to me.
