The Swallows' Tale

Xiao Jing lost his father when he was young and had no great ambitions. At fourteen, he made a pact with his brave, martial twin brother, Xiao Yang: Xiao Yang would bring honor to the family, while he would support their widowed mother.

Xiao Yang passed the military examinations and became a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, while Xiao Jing opened a small restaurant back home. Both brothers were doing quite well.

Ten years later, Xiao Yang joined the Northern Depot as an Investigative Captain, but was killed during a secret mission.

A group of people came to Xiao Jing's little restaurant and demanded that he impersonate Xiao Yang and report for duty at the Northern Depot. No amount of pleading would dissuade them. To protect his widowed mother and his own life, Xiao Jing had no choice but to go along with it.

Pan Yuhu, a hunter's daughter, despised the Embroidered Uniform Guard because her father had been killed by one of its members. She joined Right Vice Minister Guo Daisong's household under the alias Chong Niang. Because of her martial prowess, she was ordered to protect her companion Zhen Niang, who would pose as Xiao Yang's wife, Yun Ying, and infiltrate his household.

Before the operation, Zhen Niang left without a word, overcome by her feelings. With nowhere else to turn, Pan Yuhu decided to use force to make Xiao Yang comply and complete the task assigned by her master. During their fight, she discovered that "Xiao Yang" could not fight at all, and began to doubt his identity.

Xiao Jing had never met his sister-in-law. Mistaking Pan Yuhu for his younger brother's wife, Yun Ying, he told her everything about Xiao Yang's death.

After reporting the situation to her master, Pan Yuhu was ordered to assume Yun Ying's identity and remain at Xiao Jing's side undercover.

Xiao Jing was an ordinary man of the streets, forced to navigate between the ruthless, scheming members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot. Just staying alive took all his energy.

Pan Yuhu hated evil and repeatedly demanded that he rescue upright officials who had been wrongfully thrown into the imperial prison. With Xiao Jing's own life in her hands, he had no choice but to do his best.

Keep a low profile and bide your time; build strength before making your move.

In a small rented courtyard in the capital, a story of survival in the shadows that slowly becomes a fight against corruption and for justice is quietly unfolding.

Reader's note:

1. Told from the male protagonist's perspective.

2. Some characters and events are based on historical figures and events.

Theme: The resourcefulness of ordinary people against a political system of secret police. Surrounded by darkness, keep your heart turned toward the light.