Yin Xi, the eldest princess raised in the countryside, had always thought that marriage meant supporting her husband, raising children, and managing the household.
That was until she was granted a marriage to Su Yuan.
She didn't have to support her husband and raise children, nor did she have to manage the household.
She had to enter the court, investigate corrupt officials, put down rebels, guard against assassins, protect her husband, debate the scholars, and become the new emperor's right-hand woman.
Yin Xi was exhausted. She wanted to support her husband, manage the household, and sleep until late morning.
But whenever she had such a thought, Su Yuan would come to her bedside with a stack of case files and gently ask, "Your Highness, did you enjoy last night's crystal shrimp dumplings? Was the silk quilt comfortable?"
"The charges of treason against the army's generals are still waiting for Your Highness to investigate. The people in the northwest can't sleep or eat because of the war."
"The disaster victims outside the capital are waiting for Your Highness to investigate the corrupt officials and get money to buy porridge for famine relief."
"Still, I suppose Your Highness may be tired today. A day's delay won't kill too many of them. Your rest is more important."
Yin Xi: …
With tears in her eyes, Yin Xi climbed out of bed. "I'm not tired. I can keep going. I'm fine."
#
In Yin Xi's eyes, there was no one in the Cangxian Kingdom more diligent than Su Yuan.
Even though he no longer held an official position, he still stayed up late every night in his study reading witness statements. The pages covered in his notes were thicker than the case files on her desk.
He also got up before dawn every day to sort out what she needed to read, manage the Grand Princess's residence, and handle all the social engagements and interactions on her behalf...
How could anyone accuse such a good man of eliminating his political rivals and bringing chaos to the court when he was in office?
Yin Xi thought it was a frame-up, a blatant frame-up.
In front of all the civil and military officials, she accepted the complaint and vowed to clear Su Yuan's name.
She investigated the case seriously, checking every lead herself, only to uncover more and more evidence proving the accusations were true.
Yin Xi couldn't believe it. She even thought someone must be deliberately setting him up.
But learning that Su Yuan was the former crown prince of a fallen kingdom hit her like a blow to the head.
Su Yuan had come for revenge.
And she was nothing more than a blade he had forged for his revenge, a useful puppet.
Then what about all the officials she'd investigated at Su Yuan's suggestion...?
Yin Xi didn't dare think further. She only felt cold, cold to the bone.
#
Su Yuan had wondered what Yin Xi would do after learning the truth. Would she scream at him and hit him, stab him to death, or send him to prison and have him sentenced to execution?
But he hadn't expected her to leave without a word.
She took nothing with her and didn't come to confront him. She simply vanished without a trace, and no matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find her.
The joyful days they'd shared, once filled with laughter, were a poison he couldn't bear to let go of, tormenting him day and night.
This is not a full-time project. There will be one or two days off each week, with daily updates on the other days.
An alternate-history setting, empty from beginning to end. Please don't overanalyze it.
Theme: Don't dwell on the past and pain. Face the future openly, as if reborn.
