Synopsis
One moment, office drone Jing Le is transmigrating; the next, she is even more bewildered by the incomprehensible words in her ears than by a client's demands. The waters of the Ru River are deeper than the water in her boss's head, and ice-cold.
As she struggled in the river, she thought over all the good and bad things she'd done in this life. Her first rule of being a slacker was: If you can lie down, never sit up. Be a dried fish, never stick your neck out.
But now, move those arms if you don't want to die! Kick those legs if you don't want to die! Please! Just let me live, and I'll do anything!
There's always a way out. A savior appeared from nowhere and hauled her up toward the riverbank.
Having escaped with her life, Jing Le was deeply grateful to her savior. She overcame her social anxiety to sincerely express her thanks, but why was her savior so cold?
Jing Le: "General, these candied fruits are delicious."
Mu Fusang: "Mm."
Jing Le: "General, these pastries are good, too."
Mu Fusang: "Mm."
Jing Le's inner monologue: What does he mean? I've been making conversation for ages. What would happen if he said a few words? (polite smile.jpg)
Mu Fusang's inner monologue: The princess spoke. How should I answer? How should I answer... I'll just say "Mm." (polite nod.jpg)
From then on, Jing Le became an inconspicuous princess on the border of Great Xia. With the emperor far away and her brother as a sturdy tree to shelter beneath, she lived a comfortable life.
But good times don't last. The Rouran invaded, heading straight for the capital. Her brother and her savior had to go to the capital and to the battlefield.
Her peaceful life was over. Rule number two of being a slacker: Enjoy your own days, and don't burden others.
With the nation in peril, she could lie flat, but Great Xia couldn't lie flat. All right, she was a princess now. She'd give it a shot and defend the border until reinforcements arrived.
A slacker princess defending the border: difficult enough. Defending the northern frontier in the depths of winter: making matters even worse.
After more than three months of grueling struggle, the Rouran forces were defeated and retreated. Jing Le was on the brink of death when, at the critical moment
Her savior appeared from nowhere once again. On the battlefield, Mu Fusang had his hair tied high in a ponytail. The red ribbon binding its end whipped in a sharp arc through the freezing wind and snow. His silver armor gleamed, and with each swing of his blade, a man fell.
Amid a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, the hand that wasn't gripping his sword gently covered Jing Le's eyes.
Close your eyes.
The clash of swords faded, and the stench of blood dissipated. The broad hand before her eyes felt warm... Why was it a little damp?
Jing Le's inner monologue: A god has come. (not moving a muscle.jpg)
Mu Fusang's inner monologue: Her eyelashes, they're moving. What do I do? What do I do?! (slashes an enemy with his sword.gif)
They won the war, and the tree she had sheltered beneath proved exceptionally capable. Jing Le's brother went from border prince to emperor, and she, the inconspicuous princess, became the famous Princess Yongning, who had defended the border alone.
She left the cold northern frontier for the warm capital, and her idyllic slacker life began anew. A luxurious, comfortable princess's residence, thoughtful maids, delicious food: it all felt like a dream, peaceful and carefree.
One day, as she was lazing in bed, she received a piece of devastating news.
"What did you say?" Jing Le's face turned pale, and her limbs went weak.
"Who is Mu Fusang marrying?" Her hand rose shakily. "Me?"
The capital's first grand ceremony after the war arrived: the wedding of the Duke Who Guards the State and Princess Yongning.
A perfect couple, joined in marriage, walking side by side.
But the capital had walls too high, waters too deep, storms too fierce, and hearts too treacherous.
When court politics grew turbulent, they'd clear the clouds and dispel the fog. When people's hearts grew unfathomable, they'd uncover the truth.
The God of War and the princess were meant to walk hand in hand and face the world together.
[The God of War general with the ultimate double standard VS the invincible slow-to-warm slacker princess]
Marriage first, love later / sweet and angsty / political intrigue
Life and death, separation and reunion, all are fireflies. Very well, though I may be decaying, let me become a firefly and light your way ahead, so you need never fear the dark.
[Bonus scene]
Le: You were so cold before. You know your image has totally fallen apart now, right?
Sang (tenderly): I've never changed when it comes to you.
Le: When we first met, all you ever said was "Mm."
Sang: That was... because I was nervous.
Le (at a loss for words): You could've at least started a conversation.
Sang (confidently): Want to see my treasured sword?
Le (shaking her head vigorously): Put it away, put it away!
Sang (tail drooping)
Le: All right, all right, let me see.
Sang (tail spinning like a propeller, confidently showing off his arsenal)
Theme: Be sure to save yourself, again and again