I Drove the Tyrant Mad

Male Lead:

Dongshan King Su Nian, a heroic young man who charged into battle with his blade in hand, yet ultimately became a treacherous usurper, reviled by all under heaven.

At first, Su Nian had no love for this vast realm. He loved his sworn elder brother instead, but his brother died shielding him in battle right before his eyes.

Later, he fell for the lively little sidekick by his side. That sidekick jumped from a city wall right in front of him, too.

Later still, he killed the chancellor who had plotted against his sworn brother and executed the emperor who had driven his little sidekick to her death. But on the day of his enthronement, he discovered that his sworn brother and his little sidekick were the same person.

Watching the woman calmly pretend not to know him in front of the civil and military officials, Su Nian went mad...

Female Lead:

Princess Feng Yu of Shanghua was born a darling of heaven, but the power struggles of the imperial court forced her to hide her brilliance.

When the old dynasty fell and a familiar face took the throne, Feng Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She planned to pack her things, return to her hometown, drink wine and admire the flowers, and enjoy her remaining years. Who knew disaster would strike out of nowhere?

An imperial decree forced her to enter the palace as a consort.

Before her, Su Nian was the very picture of a proper gentleman, considerate and understanding. Feng Yu also thought her old friend was a sage ruler. She even privately planned to set him up with the most beautiful woman in the capital so they could make a perfect match. But on the beauty's first night in the palace, curiosity got the better of Feng Yu. She peered through a crack in the window and saw her old friend leave the delicate beauty behind and head for a hidden spot in his study...

Inside the secret chamber, candles blazed. Every inch of every wall was covered with portraits of her, sitting or standing, each one exquisitely painted. The sage ruler casually pulled one down, then tore it to pieces and swallowed it, as if devouring her bones and flesh.

Feng Yu: Well, I'm screwed.

Synopsis written on 2021.02.20. Photo taken.

Theme: Only by letting go of the past can you face the future.