I Scheme and Plot After Finding the Marquis

1.

Lin Yuanqing lost her family in a single day and ended up outside the capital, alone. Calling a man "Master" earned her a place on Mount Yunqing, where she studied medicine and martial arts.

Six years later, snow buried the mountain and the birds and beasts had vanished. She hurried through the storm toward the capital, where she crossed paths with the marquis whose name commanded respect throughout the realm: Shen Jihuai.

In the middle of the night, he dragged his bloodied body through her window and pressed a knife to her throat. His movements were ruthless, but his hoarse voice clearly held a note of pleading. He said, "Save me."

Using the act of saving him as an opportunity, Lin Yuanqing obtained Shen Jihuai's jade pendant, and the two began a partnership of cooperation and scheming that would last for days.

Could we set up the game of chess again and see who wins and who loses this time?

2.

"Do you know why I traveled all the way from the capital to Yangzhou?" Lin Yuanqing's eyes were red, her gaze filled with despondency. She gave a self-mocking laugh.

The person sitting across from her slammed a hand on the table, trying to make her stop talking, but once the words of her suffering had begun, they could not be taken back.

The clash of weapons rang out beyond the room. Lin Yuanqing stood and pointed her sword at the person before her. In a hoarse voice, anger barely contained, she said, "Someone like you deserves to go to hell and suffer eternal torment."

"You needn't worry about me. From now on, I will soar to success and rise to the heavens."

The rain grew heavier. Lin Yuanqing walked out of the room and met Shen Jihuai's gaze. She looked at his hand, with its distinct knuckles stained with blood, gripping her tightly. Lowering her eyes, she said coolly, "Let go. You're getting blood on my clothes."

3.

The chess game had been set in motion long ago, and now all the players had arrived.

Lin Yuanqing leaped down from the palace wall and landed firmly. With a turn of her wrist, she swiftly cleared away those blocking her path. Amid a succession of roars, she opened the palace gates.

Outside, Shen Jihuai sat astride a horse, his face tense and his expression displeased. When he saw her, he leaned down, pulled her up in front of him, tightened his grip on the reins, and rode straight into the imperial palace.

Everyone who saw him tensed and hurried away, shouting in a shrill voice as they ran, "A villain is forcing his way into the palace!"

The game was won, the land was at peace. Shen Jihuai said, "I will present the three betrothal gifts, complete the six wedding rites, and marry you openly and honorably."

Lin Yuanqing turned and left him with a single sentence: Then I'll be waiting.

Theme: Stand on your own feet and grow stronger, finding a way through adversity