Xu Yueqing had been certain the throne would be hers. She was exceptionally powerful, far superior to the other princes. But then Xie Fang appeared out of nowhere. After spending ten years as a hostage in the Yun Kingdom, he had become the people's choice. Xu Yueqing pretended to be arrogant, reckless, and unreasonable to throw him off. But Xie Fang had seen through her from the start, and was willing to play along. Once they became rivals, she went to the Han Jin Ancient Tower to retrieve the Jin Yun Hairpin, and he went with her. He managed disaster relief while she funded it, rushing to the front lines and coming into close contact with the plague... Even though they did the same work, and Xu Yueqing did even more than Xie Fang, he was still the emperor the people embraced, while she received only the title of Jing'an. Her deep resentment made Xu Yueqing even more ruthless. She stopped fighting openly and began scheming in secret. Xie Fang countered every move, yet gradually found himself developing feelings he shouldn't have for the proud princess.
"She is not more important than the people's peace. I am not more important than her.
"I don't need him to succeed. I, Xu Yueqing, was always meant to be the ruler of this An Kingdom."
Leng Yi had originally been in love with the second princess. While bringing her a gift, he ran into the mischievous, sharp-tongued little princess, Xu Heqian. At first, they bickered like children every time they met. Then one day, while arguing over whether savory or sweet tofu pudding tasted better...
"Leng Yi, I, the princess, am in love with you, but sweet tofu pudding is better."
"Xu Heqian, I like you too, but savory tofu pudding is obviously better."
The second princess, Xu Zhuzhen, was gentle and lovely, the most talented woman in the An Kingdom, and had countless suitors. Yet whenever one came to ask for her hand, she would simply smile graciously and turn him down with quiet composure.
Ali Ke was a Man Kingdom zither player whose skill was praised by everyone. She was sent as a gift from the Man Kingdom to the An Kingdom. The two met by chance, came to know and love one another, and became a celebrated couple.
"I would be the zither in your hands, playing the feelings in your heart."
"I would be the moon in the sky, keeping you company every night."
May your heart be like mine, so that our love will never be in vain.
Theme: Know that the Xie Fang of today was once the Xu Yueqing of yesterday.
