Li Qiuyuan * Chu Wei
Deposed prince * The Crown Prince's strategist
Former classmates turned enemies, bound together in a push and pull neither can escape.
Their affection from years ago lay buried, transformed into the sharpest blade, piercing the deepest and most painful part of the heart.
Chu Wei and Li Qiuyuan met at twelve, and at thirteen they both became disciples of the same teacher. They spent eight years as classmates.
In Qingzhou, they rode side by side, carefree and happy.
Then, eight years later, one entered the palace and became the Crown Prince's tutor, poisoned and controlled, exploited and reviled by the entire realm as a treacherous lackey. The other was trapped in Chang'an by a scheme, drowning himself in wine and women as his will gradually faded.
By then, there seemed to be no way back.
But one day, the ailing emperor wagered his imperial authority and tossed Chu Wei a dagger, ordering him to support Prince Li Qiuyuan.
He was to support the very classmate from Qingzhou whom he himself had dragged back to Chang'an, the one person he could no longer approach and did not want to approach.
On one side was the Crown Prince's monthly antidote; on the other, the emperor's secret order.
He had only four years.
Either he would help Li Qiuyuan ascend the throne, or he would die without a proper burial.
Theme: Peace
