Shen Su was sent by the Xi people to the Jing Dynasty to arrange a marriage. She was to wed Xie Chenzhi, the Marquis of Zhenbei, who had rendered outstanding service to the dynasty.
Rumor had it that the marquis couldn't stand bright light or loud noise, and was cruel, volatile, and unpredictable.
But Shen Su knew nothing of Jing etiquette and couldn't put on the airs of the capital's noblewomen. She had no interest at all in a marquis she'd never even met, so she was determined to die. After all, she had no parents...
And no affection for her husband...
And nothing left to hold on to...
But Xie Chenzhi was determined that, even if she wanted to die, she would not die by his hand. He kept a close eye on her, while worrying that her reckless nature might make him lose face, so he shut the doors every day and drilled her in etiquette.
Later, Shen Su decided that trying to die wasn't working. She would just have to follow the script, act weak and pitiful, and do her best to make him sick of her as soon as possible. Then she could smash her head against a pillar and vanish without a trace...
Until the day a jade pendant slipped out by accident. Shen Su felt that Xie Chenzhi had become a different person...
Watching her during the day was one thing, but now he wouldn't leave her alone at night either, and had started getting handsy...
Shen Su wondered: Was this some new way to die?
Facing the long, endless night, Xie Chenzhi promised her, "I will clear your name, and reveal the truth about your father."
Before the wedding: "What kind of wild mountain monkey are you? So reckless!"
After the wedding: "Besides your face, do you have anything else going for you?"
Shen Su didn't understand what he really meant, and could only stare at him wide-eyed in protest...
Xie Chenzhi said, "Come here. Give me a kiss, and I won't scold you."
Later, at a flower-viewing banquet, someone praised her: "The marquis's wife is so polished and refined. Truly a beautiful lady..."
Xie Chenzhi heard this and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly...
Hmph. As if anyone could tell who taught her...
A brooding, unhinged general x a clear-headed heroine determined to die
Theme: The truth is in the hands of a select few
