During the Xuanwu era, peace had only just returned to the court and the country. The great clans and humble-born families were locked in endless conflict. To resist the great clans, the Crown Prince established the Special Examinations, recruiting worthy talents from across the land. Before long, Chang'an was teeming with talent, and the political tides grew treacherous.
Among the countless celebrated scholars and writers, two stood out above all.
One was Zhao Shixin, leader of the Dark Gate.
Most members of the Dark Gate were assassins and wandering physicians, despised by the orthodox sects. Though Zhao Shixin, its leader, was a woman, her martial arts were unfathomably powerful. Before she was twenty, she had risen from an ordinary assassin to become the sect leader. Soon after arriving in Chang'an, she uncovered an imperial examination scandal that shook the court and opened a path to advancement for students of humble birth, earning her the Crown Prince's favor.
The other was Xie Changyun, heir to the Duke of Fengguo's household, renowned throughout the capital as the very model of an aristocrat: supremely talented, cool and reserved, and scrupulous in his manners.
One was carefree and uninhibited, the other self-controlled and bound by propriety. They were always at odds.
Whenever they met, Young Master Xie would lecture her primly: "Lady Zhao, that is improper." Yet in the end, Zhao Shixin would always provoke him until his cheeks flushed and his composure crumbled, leaving him grinding his teeth and spitting out, "Shameless!"
Everyone in the capital knew the two were sworn enemies, but no one expected them to be paired together in a marriage arranged by a meddling matchmaker.
That farcical wedding never took place. The Emperor died suddenly for no apparent reason. The great clans launched a sudden attack, and the Dark Gate was besieged. Some members were killed, others scattered, and Zhao Shixin died in the fire at Baima Temple.
When she awoke again, Zhao Shixin had become a maid in the Duke of Fengguo's household.
She had come face to face once more with her old enemy. Xie Changyun, once as radiant as the moon above a clear sky, was now the Duke of Fengguo, having murdered his father, imprisoned his mother, and been abandoned by everyone. He drove his sword through an old servant's throat. Blood splashed across his face, but he did not even blink.
Zhao Shixin swallowed nervously and lowered her head.
Chang'an was still a place of shifting fortunes: the Yellow-Fat Plague, the Red Matchmaker serial murders, the bloodshed at Wuyashan Manor... Xie Changyun doggedly pursued the truth behind Zhao Shixin's death and personally killed the enemies who had wronged them years before.
As Zhao Shixin slowly pieced together her memories, she also uncovered the secret feelings Young Master Xie had never dared to voice.
But neither of them could have imagined that behind every one of these events was a mysterious hand, manipulating everything...
Reason for entry: The heroine was once of noble birth, but was framed and died unjustly. After being reborn, she sets out to reclaim everything she lost.
(1) Free-spirited heroine vs. aloof beauty
(2) Rebirth with a change of body
Theme: When you look back, the one you seek is there, where the lantern light fades.
Update quickly, scratch your head