Gu Shi'an is the most good-for-nothing son of the Duke of Xiang's household. He spends his days cockfighting and horse racing, teasing cats and dogs, and even gets chased down the street by courtesans whenever he passes a brothel. Then his elder brother dies in battle, and the Gu family collapses overnight. Forced to shoulder the burden of becoming heir, he must take his brother's place.
Shen Yan is the current Minister of Personnel and the Chancellor's favored disciple. Gentle and refined, he leaves nothing to chance, and his life plan has no room for falling in love. Then a young man rides in on a white horse.
At first, Gu Shi'an approaches Shen Yan to extract information. He uses his good looks as bait, hoping to hook the most cunning fish in court. Shen Yan plays along, intending to uncover the truth about the Gu family. But as they scheme against each other, pretense gives way to genuine feelings.
They both think they're the hunter. Until Gu Shi'an drives a knife into Shen Yan himself, its blade poisoned and aimed straight at his heart. “I trusted you,” he says.
Later, they join forces to send their greatest enemy to hell. But standing amid the ruins, each looks toward the path behind the other, and neither turns back.
Years later, Shen Yan rises to the highest rank in the court and never marries again. Every year, he raises a cup of Fenjiu toward the north, then sets it down. In this life, he left nothing to chance. He just failed to account for one young man.
Reading Guide
1. Two equally matched leads, both career-driven, scheme against scheme: see who falls in love first.
2. Older man/younger man, about thirteen years apart, widower × playboy.
3. They test and bait each other at first; the middle is sweet with a touch of heartbreak; the ending brings betrayal, an alliance, and separate paths.
If you require both leads to be sexually inexperienced, this may not be for you. Also, my political intrigue writing is a complete mess.
Theme: After scheming for all you're worth, all that's left is to give your whole heart
