The Warden's Beauty

In a dark, damp torture chamber, Chun Ning was blindfolded, numb as she repeated her confession over and over.

"My name is Yu Chunning. I'm twenty years old. My creditor, Master Zhao, tried to assault me, and I accidentally killed him. While fleeing, I knocked over a candle stand by mistake, starting a fire that burned down South Gate Street. I confess and accept the law. I only beg for a swift death."

"Is that all?"

"N-no... that's all..."

"It seems you've forgotten something." The cold, hard bamboo cane landed on her chest and slowly moved downward.

Yu Chunning couldn't move and could only let him do as he pleased. On the verge of breaking down, she trembled and wept. "I really can't remember. Please, my lord, tell me."

The blindfold was yanked off. The man before her had eyes so dark they seemed bottomless, and a prominent scar at his temple.

Yu Chunning knew him. Pei Shaoyu, her fiance, was also a supporter of the deposed crown prince who had been living under an assumed identity.

Two years ago, for a hundred taels of silver in reward money, she had sold his whereabouts to the authorities.

"Didn't think I'd still be alive, did you? Unfortunately for you, my case has been overturned."

His expression was unreadable, but his voice was as gentle as she remembered. "I won't let you die. The game has only just begun."

-

Chun Ning obediently indulged Pei Shaoyu's every depraved whim, asking only that he not take his anger out on her father and younger sister.

She thought she would never meet a good end in his hands.

But she didn't know that many people outside wanted her silenced forever, and Pei Shaoyu had kept every one of them from reaching her in prison.

Even less did she expect that one day,

the man who hated her to the depths of his soul would do whatever it took to clear her name.

Theme: However long the winter night, dawn will come