Xie Zhen was born into a distinguished family, with a handsome bearing and a willful, rebellious nature.
He grew up as the Crown Prince's companion. When the new emperor ascended the throne, Xie Zhen rose to become a close confidant of the sovereign, and the entire Zhenyong Marquis's household basked in glory. No one in Bianjing could compare.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, he gave up a life of luxury in Bianjing and traveled to the bitterly cold western frontier as an army supervisor.
After putting down a rebellion and achieving an unparalleled victory, he returned to the capital with a stunning, delicate young woman in tow.
Rumor had it she was the lowliest dancer in the army, and that her pretty face had led her to pester Young Marquis Xie.
The boy had not yet come of age, but had fallen deep into a life of pleasure.
It was also said that the Zhenyong Marquis's household refused to let her join the family, but the young woman was so fertile that she had already become pregnant.
The usually defiant Young Marquis Xie bent his proud head and knelt in the snow all night, begging to marry her.
*
Little did anyone know that when Shen Ruzhi first saw him in the western frontier, amid a tent filled with music and dancing, she had taken an instant liking to the noble, rebellious young marquis who had traveled all the way from Bianjing.
But before she could make a move, another dancer pretended to stumble toward him.
She didn't get what she wanted. Instead, the guard beside him ran a blade through the back of her hand.
Xie Zhen calmly brushed away the blood. "If your legs are too weak to keep you standing, drag her away and cut them off."
No one dared try to climb into Xie Zhen's bed again. But Shen Ruzhi dared to offer herself.
"The young marquis has only just arrived in the western frontier and needs bait. This servant is willing to be your bait. I only ask that you give me enough to eat."
*
Gradually, Shen Ruzhi went from asking for a meal to openly seducing him.
"This servant admires the young marquis. Even if I must serve as your maid, as long as I can stay by your side, I'll be content for the rest of my life."
Xie Zhen thought he would take her as a concubine. If he married a wife someday, he could still make sure she was well treated.
*
Later, Shen Ruzhi nestled against him, soft and tender. "This servant is carrying your child. If you don't want it, I'll leave with the baby and won't cause you any trouble."
Xie Zhen covered her red lips with his. "Ruzhi, I'll marry you."
He thought he was done for.
*
Later still, the most closely guarded cannon blueprints in the Southern Dynasty were stolen, and Xie Zhen was put in charge of the investigation.
The thief identified Shen Ruzhi as a spy from the Northern Dynasty.
Xie Zhen covered Shen Ruzhi's eyes. "My wife is delicate and frail. She can't bear the sight of blood. Drag the culprit away and kill them."
But Shen Ruzhi turned and ran a sword through his chest.
"Xie Zhen, my name isn't Ruzhi. My real name is Shen Ruzhi, and I'm a spy from the Northern Dynasty."
Their whispered endearments and heartfelt declarations of love had all been lies.
*
Until the two nations went to war. After winning a great victory, Xie Zhen, commander of the three armies, threw caution to the wind and followed a young woman over a cliff.
Shen Ruzhi: "Xie Zhen, are you insane?"
With blood-red eyes, Xie Zhen gripped her waist hard. "I've been insane for a long time."
"Whether you're Shen Ruzhi or Ruzhi, in life you're my wife, Xie Zhen's, and in death you'll be my ghost!"
"Dream on if you think you can leave me!"
Theme: Love is built on mutual trust.
