The Central Plains have been divided into four kingdoms, while the Qiang tribes to the north watch like hungry tigers.
Tangxi is sold into the northern lands. To protect herself, she has no choice but to stay by the side of a northern general.
The Qiang general Atul takes pity on her and saves her life. She knows nothing, only how to stumble through life in a daze.
Later, Atul teaches her to ride, shoot, read, and write. He brings her wild greens and jewelry from the southern kingdom.
He calls her the North's Red Agate, so Tangxi asks, "What is Red Agate?"
The Qiang say it is a tear of the sun god, also known as a red pearl. It can also mean a treasure, something precious.
Red pearls are rare in the north, and anyone named Red Pearl is sure to be blessed by the sun god.
But the northern grasslands cannot feed so many cattle and sheep. Atul wants the people under his command to have enough food, and hopes to trade with the southern kingdom.
Yet in these troubled times, Southern Chu destroys Beishuo, its longtime ally, overnight, turning the balance of power in the south upside down.
In a single night, Jiang Zhi becomes a princess of a fallen kingdom, at the mercy of anyone who wishes to trample or butcher her.
Even Xiao Jingyan, her childhood friend, looks at her differently.
Xiao Jingyan is tormented too. He resents the upheaval and hates that his elder brother has driven the woman he loves away. Named crown prince in accordance with the late emperor's decree, he still insists that Jiang Zhi become his crown princess.
But on their wedding night, Jiang Zhi turns around and cuts off the head of one of her own relatives.
"If you love me, then die by my sword."
Forced to take the throne, he ignores the ministers' pleas to execute Jiang Zhi.
"But I love you."
Xiao Jingyan loves and hates her, and demands to know whether she ever loved him.
Jiang Zhi smiles. "If I didn't love you, I would have killed you that day."
But if you love me, then give me everything.
Jiang Zhi gradually secures her place at court.
Yet the people's suffering and the crises at home and abroad weigh on everyone. For the people's sake and the strength of the nation, only one can emerge victorious.
The northern forces invade, and Jiang Zhi leads her troops to fight back.
In the end, the northern winds cross south.
PS: Two settings, each full of love and hate. The story begins in separate volumes before the plotlines converge in a tangled conflict. Light political intrigue ties it together.
Both leads are pure.
The northern arc is a slow burn.
Theme: Heroes and beauties
