Only Chang'an Has This Assassin

This is neither a wuxia story, nor a jianghu story, nor a political power struggle. It's just a BG romance I planned to write wherever the mood took me, with reflections on life woven in.

[Temporarily on hiatus. When I outlined the story in the second half of 2019, I was reading books about infectious diseases, so the main plot involves an epidemic. But since late 2019, the pandemic has gone from being a historical tale far removed from our lives to becoming part of everyday life. No matter how I change the tone of the story, I'm not satisfied, so I've stopped updating it.]

Lighthearted blurb:

The famous Chang'an assassin has been arrested by the authorities? And by a scholar who can't even truss a chicken?

When the rumor finally reached Bai Yile, she grabbed Yi Guanyun by the collar and demanded furiously, "How did I end up getting arrested? Weren't we supposed to be partners, helping each other out? Where am I supposed to put my face, as the famous Chang'an Ke?"

Yi Guanyun muttered, "Famous for taking the money and doing nothing, more like..."

Bai Yile: "Next time you investigate a case, go by yourself. Don't bring me along! No, just lock me up in prison. What do you need an assassin hanging around for?"

Yi Guanyun talked her into leaving the prison, after a great deal of effort.

Bai Yile: "I'm lazy and love to eat."

Yi Guanyun: "My family has money."

Bai Yile: "I'm a ruthless killer."

Yi Guanyun: "I'm a decent doctor."

Bai Yile: "I've got a terrible record."

Yi Guanyun: "Those are the growing pains everyone goes through. Don't sell yourself short."

Bai Yile: "I don't want to reform."

Yi Guanyun: "Doesn't matter. I'll protect you."

Bai Yile: "Deal!"

------Heartless dividing line------

What the evil stepmother of an author is actually writing:

Bai Yile: "When will Lord Yi fall in love with me and get together with me?"

Yi Guanyun: "When will this silly girl get on the right path and start living properly?"

The carefree assassin Bai Yile loves Yi Guanyun and resolves to leave her past behind. If she survives, she'll be with Yi Guanyun. After narrowly escaping death and agonizing over it for three years, she returns to find Lord Yi going about his daily life, doting on and caring for a child.

For Yi Guanyun, can she give up her carefree life?

The upright Yi Guanyun cares about everything and puts great effort into guiding Bai Yile, yet still cannot dispel her hatred. After searching for her for three years, he gets caught up in a tangle of complicated cases. He has to save her, no matter what.

For Bai Yile, can he give up his ideals of fairness and justice?

------Cruel dividing line------

What the author, who loves to crush hearts, is also writing:

Wu Liang is an obscure minor official with an ordinary life, and he's quite content with it. His mother is strong and healthy, his marriage is loving and happy, and his work is low-risk.

He believes in justice, and his job is to "correct the record": clear the names of those who have been wronged or those involved in cases, and put a stop to false rumors spreading through the neighborhoods.

He never expected his peaceful life to gradually fall apart after the Chang'an Ke arson and murder case.

One time, he concealed the truth with good intentions.

One time, he did nothing when faced with a moral test.

His friend eventually loses everything. This leads him to uncover the filthy secrets hidden in Chang'an. What will he choose this time?

Theme: The conflict between law and imperial power