Awakening of Insects

A fragile yet resilient orphan girl vs. a ruthless powerful minister / A lovesick male lead vs. a rational, cold-hearted female lead An orphan girl forced into a bridal sedan chair happens to meet a powerful minister. At first, she doesn’t know who he is, so she begs him again and again. He turns a deaf ear and walks away. When she later goes to the capital to seek her relatives, Lin Piao is about to fulfill her betrothal to the capital’s most elegant and noble gentleman. But he abuses the favor he enjoys at court, breaks through three barriers, and abducts her. Once the arrow has left the bow, there is no turning back. He must suffer the long road to winning his wife back. Happy ending. On the twenty-second day, spring sunshine filled the palace, and lanterns and decorations adorned the grounds. The emperor was about to come of age and take up the reins of power, and a new noble consort from a distinguished family had just been appointed. Yet the palace was not in the least festive. Instead, a solemn stillness hung over it. After several rounds of drinks, Noble Consort Cui rose to take her leave. “Your Majesty, I can’t hold my liquor. I’ll return to my palace to rest.” But as she passed through a dark spot, someone clamped a hand over the mouth of the young palace maid carrying her lantern and dragged her away. Noble Consort Cui sneered. “You shameless bandit, daring to commit a crime within the imperial palace. Do you have no regard for His Majesty?” She seemed to have known all along who would come. The man wore a dark cloak. Beneath his hood was an exceptionally stern face, his expression livid. He gripped Noble Consort Cui’s slender wrist and demanded, “Who gave him permission to touch you?” The night breeze stirred, and the spring chill cut to the bone. Her clothes were thin, and her feathery lashes trembled. “Even now, you still presume to want me. Have you forgotten that you were the one who sent me into this lonely palace?” “It was only a temporary measure!” He was consumed by regret. He had risen from humble beginnings, using his peerless military talent to climb from the bottom ranks to the emperor’s side. The command of troops and the defense of the realm were all entrusted to him. Yet he willingly fell for this little orphan girl. Whenever he thought he had everything under control, he discovered he had fallen into her trap once more. He knew she was using him to climb higher and higher. But when her lips, soft as a ripe peach, curved gently and she leaned close to his ear, saying, “General, will you protect me and my child? I will refuse you nothing,” he knew he would never overcome this test of love. What he regretted most was their first meeting. If he had been able to foresee what would come, he would have pulled her out of the mire and brought her back to the human world. Both leads are each other’s first and only. Happy ending. She is a consort in name only. Theme: You must be strong and never lose hope for life.