With the nation as their fortress and love and hate as their wager, their meeting began with a scheme.
Falsely accused of treason, the family of Shu Yao, the legitimate daughter of a Minister of the Court, was struck down. She narrowly escaped and ran into Xiao Lie, a marquis from an enemy kingdom.
Drawn into a major case involving the secret forces of both kingdoms, Xiao Lie tracked her down and proposed an alliance of mutual benefit.
He meant to use her, but couldn't control his feelings. She bore the burden of a blood feud, remaining clearheaded and restrained, afraid to fall in love.
As conspiracies mounted, they stood together through life and death.
His protection melted the ice in her heart. With her intelligence, Shu Yao cleared her family's name, and the two of them overcame the divide between their kingdoms to find each other amid the chaos of war.
