[Plot Version]
In the tenth year of Chenghua, an examination scandal broke out in the capital. Eight unsuccessful scholars set themselves on fire at the palace gates, igniting the fury of the city's people.
Emperor Dacheng was enraged and ordered the Vice Minister of Justice to investigate. By the end, the mastermind turned out to be the youngest son of the Meritorious Marquis.
The youngest son of the Meritorious Marquis?
That handsome wastrel who never did anything worthwhile, spending his days teasing cats and walking dogs, frequenting the pleasure houses?
A playboy was the mastermind? Who would believe that?
No one did, yet no one could deny it.
Everyone in the capital knew it was just a case of the imperial family framing someone with a trumped-up charge.
A storm was brewing. The great mansion was about to fall, and the Meritorious Marquis's clan was in danger!
But just as the great families rushed to kick them while they were down, war broke out on the border, and the barbarians seized ten cities in succession.
The cavalry trampled the prosperous realm beneath their hooves. The gates of the country stood open, and the capital was about to fall, yet not a single official at court dared to fight!
Only the condemned son, awaiting execution, dared to lead an army into battle.
That battle lasted three years. On the day the sunset fell over the northwestern frontier, the wind and snow raged in the grand hall.
The Meritorious Marquis was poisoned to death on a hunting ground, leaving his title vacant. At last, the playboy who had spent three years at war was returning to the capital.
Back in the capital, she would investigate old and new cases, settle old and new scores, and turn the whole city upside down!
[Romance Version]
Li Chi had been raised as a boy since childhood, hiding her talents and pretending to be a wastrel as she roamed the capital.
If she was a puddle of mud beneath the capital, then the astonishingly gifted and sickly Third Young Master of the Lin family was a cloud in its sky.
She could not stand him, and he could not stand her. They had been at odds for years, clashing at every turn.
But later, when the examination scandal broke, she became the scapegoat.
While everyone else kicked her when she was down, only the Third Young Master Lin believed her.
He beat the grievance drum for her, knelt for a long time before the palace, and was banished by Emperor Dacheng to the desolate land of Bashu for her sake.
Later, she finally returned to the capital, and he was recalled for his achievements.
She thought they would meet in court or at a palace banquet.
She never expected it to be in bed, beneath the covers...
In the end, she had desecrated the capital's untouchable beauty.
One reckless night!
The next morning, Li Chi did not whisper sweet nothings to him. Instead, she gripped his throat and threatened, "If you dare tell anyone, I'll hang you from the city wall and leave you to dry."
Third Young Master Lin: ...
Actually, he would never tell anyone.
1. The heroine disguises herself as a man. She plays the fool while hiding her strength at first, then goes on a rampage later.
2. The hero is a scheming concubine-born son who lies low and bides his time, making plans at every turn and sporting many secret identities.
3. Both are sexually inexperienced. A satisfying, sweet romance, but there will be an important male second lead who is a crazy, scummy dog.
Theme: Ride the tides of change and swim beneath the surface
