Eighteen years ago, during the Jiaxu Palace Coup, the Crown Princess gave birth to twin girls in a ruined temple.
Before they could be named, the rebels stormed the mountain. Amid the chaos, the elder sister and her wet nurse vanished without a trace.
Eighteen years later, the younger sister ascends the throne at a young age. At her side is the ambitious Regent, and the two are at each other's throats. Her throne is in grave danger.
The elder sister, meanwhile, is taken to the northern frontier and made to take the place of the Khan's deceased young daughter, becoming a pawn in a political marriage and suffering every kind of humiliation.
By a twist of fate, the sisters switch identities.
The bold and spoiled younger sister goes to the northern frontier, only to learn at her wedding ceremony that her fiance has long been involved with the Grand Princess.
She curls her lips coldly, tears up the marriage contract on the spot, and casually picks out a bodyguard.
"You're quite good. Marry me."
The nobles, who had been waiting for a show: ???
Hearing this, the bodyguard looks up at the bright-eyed, charming young princess. He decides that waiting a few more days before invading the northern frontier is perfectly fine.
Back in the Central Plains, the gentle and introverted elder sister sneaks out to play and meets a handsome mute.
The mute is badly injured, and in a moment of compassion, the elder sister brings him back to the palace.
Though terrified out of her mind, the young woman still shields him with her body. Her soft voice trembles slightly. "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you..."
The Regent raises an eyebrow and decides to keep pretending to be mute, to see what trick the Emperor is playing this time.
In the northern frontier, everyone laughs at the daughter of a discarded concubine for marrying a mere bodyguard, saying she's worse off than a commoner.
No one expects that the bodyguard will later lead a hundred thousand cavalry to conquer the Mongxi grasslands, enthrone his wife as the precious jewel of his royal tent, and give her the most exalted place at his side.
Meanwhile, the whole world is certain that the Emperor, a mere woman, is standing alone and will sooner or later be replaced by the Regent.
But on the Emperor's birthday celebration, the proud and sinister Regent kneels beneath the jade steps and swears on the nine strands of his crown to protect the Emperor for the rest of her life.
The sisters, once they learn the truth: I'm so done. You're not mute or a shadow guard?
#WeWereTheLastToFindOutAndNowWe'reInTears
[Reading Guide]
1. Two couples. Younger sister: alluring, spoiled black lotus x taciturn, scheming wolfish prince; elder sister: gentle, healing angel x arrogant, scheming Regent
2. Both leads are virgins, one-on-one romances, sweet romance with no angst
*Cover art used with permission from artist Geleme Gongyangzi
Theme: The pursuit of one's true self.
Meeting the Flood Dragon
After I Died, He Regretted It Too Late
How to Stop a Yandere from Going Crazy!
After Faking My Death, I Returned to the Love Triangle
Seize the Wild One
The Crane-Tamer's Kill
Bloodletting (Reborn Twice)
They Say the Princess Consort Once Loved Her to the Bone
Those Years After the Princess Consort's Death (Transmigrated Into a Book)