An Arranged Marriage

Yang Suzhong, a yin-yang practitioner with a twisted, erratic personality.

Zhao Xuehong, the orphan of the former crown prince, with two faces, one for the public and another in private: a sweet exterior hiding a ruthless heart.

On New Year's Day, the emperor celebrated the new year with his officials at the First Tower Under Heaven. On a whim, he pointed out a young man below and arranged for him to marry the orphan of the former crown prince, Princess Xinyue.

The officials thought it was a joke, but both the princess and the emperor took it seriously.

Princess Xinyue had few requirements for a husband. She only hoped he would be handsome.

Yang Suzhong, whose heart was as sinister as a ghost's, emerged from a client's graveyard dressed as a man and wandered through the crowds. Before leaving home that day, she had cast a divination for herself: If you want it, it will come to pass.

As if guided by fate, she stopped beneath the First Tower Under Heaven. One glance upward was all it took for her to fall completely for the woman among the officials, dazzling as a bright new moon, pure and flawless.

In that instant, she became obsessed. She wanted to possess her and torment her.

Yang Suzhong was brought up to the tower. Seeing her dignified bearing, serene as a spring breeze and handsome as Pan An, the emperor personally asked about her hometown, whether she was married, and other such matters.

Yang Suzhong answered in a clear, melodious voice, smiling respectfully: "Your Majesty, this commoner is from Tanliang and now lives in the capital. My parents passed away long ago, and I have no close relatives left. I have never married. I earn my living carving stone and writing the life stories of the deceased. I can also offer advice to anyone seeking a favorable burial site."

The emperor frowned, and the officials all looked at her with disdain.

"She makes her living from the dead. Your Majesty, this person is inauspicious. How could she be a suitable match for Princess Xinyue?" one official protested.

The emperor studied Yang Suzhong for a moment before saying, "If she can write the life stories of the deceased, she must be well-read. Our dynasty has always appointed people based on talent. How can we judge someone by their background or profession?"

The emperor was all the more satisfied. A lowborn person with no family or friends would be the best way to curb the former crown prince's orphan's ambitions and leave her isolated and helpless. He turned to the princess and asked with a false smile, "Xinyue, what do you think?"

As Princess Xinyue looked at Yang Suzhong kneeling on the ground, she saw hope and danger in her upturned eyes.

The princess withdrew her gaze from Yang Suzhong. Every gesture and smile was gentle and kind. She turned her eyes and replied in a clear, lilting voice, "Your niece believes Imperial Uncle is right."

The emperor laughed heartily, ordered them to be wed, and instructed them to choose an auspicious day for the ceremony.

On their wedding night, Zhao Xuehong learned that Yang Suzhong was a woman. She also learned that Yang Suzhong had just killed someone the first time they met.

Zhao Xuehong said, "There's something good about a lunatic. If she is willing to submit to me, I will love her for the rest of my life."

And in turn, she became the only living fish in the stagnant pool of Yang Suzhong's heart.

Zhao Xuehong could neither escape nor leave.

·

Yang Suzhong had only two wishes. First, to kill the master who had raised her and taught her all she knew.

Her second wish was to keep Zhao Xuehong imprisoned at her side. Among all the people in the world, she wanted Zhao Xuehong to be the only one she could bully.

Two crazed women on the road to revenge.

Two pure-hearted leads | Court politics | Satisfying revenge | Marriage first, love later | A match made in heaven | Strong leads | Cunning | Devoted loyalist

2024.08.26

Theme: Faith guides the way