They first met at Jing'an Temple. Cheng Wan wore white, with the beauty of an immortal, like a begonia drunk on sunlight or Chang'e in her moon palace. Beneath the magnolia tree, she asked, "Your Highness, have you made up your mind? Grant me the position of empress, and I will help you ascend the throne one day."
At the time, Feng Yi thought Cheng Wan was a woman with nothing but beauty and ambition, and was utterly foolish beneath it all.
On a rainy night, an official died mysteriously in his own home. After a thorough investigation, Chu Hechuan, the junior minister of the Court of Judicial Review, sought out the most likely suspect, the eldest daughter of the Yongding Marquis household. She said, "Without evidence, Lord Chu, you'll never be able to convict me."
At the time, Chu Hechuan thought Cheng Wan was the culprit, stubbornly refusing to see reason and throwing the court into chaos.
After his sister was violated and the villain used his influence to cover it up, Xie Cun hurried to the capital to seek out his former master, the Marquis of Yong'an. He was willing to pay any price, asking only that the villain get what he deserved. Then, as he stood humble as dust, a woman in a plain-colored skirt approached. Cheng Wan leaned close to his ear and said, "Xie Cun, work for me, and I'll avenge you."
At the time, Xie Cun thought Cheng Wan had the face of a bodhisattva and the heart of an asura.
Cheng Wan had always thought she would be the happiest woman in Dingjing. Her grandfather was the Yongding Marquis, a three-dynasty veteran statesman, and her father was the heir to the marquisate and a close aide to the emperor. As long as she wanted something, she could have it all.
But that was only her life before she turned seven.
At seven, she lost everything. The Yongding Marquis household was left with only a pack of demons from hell, and everyone she cared about was buried on a rainy night.
Under the schemes for power, heaven and earth were turned upside down.
Loyal ministers and brave generals died unjustly.
Ten years of plotting, all for this one moment: kill, kill, kill!
The rain has stopped, and the air is cool. Eleven years ago was a dream. It turns out that madness and ruin are what she was made of all along.
[Little scene]
Feng Yi: "Cheng Wan, you're ruthless. You destroyed me, and yourself too."
Chu Hechuan: "A Qi, you are the only miscarriage of justice in my life."
Xie Cun: "My lady, I have lived my entire life for you."
[Reading guide]
1. The female lead has a slight everyone-loves-her quality, and several men fall for her.
2. The female lead is a true mad, black-lotus type. Her actions are always driven by her goals. Men only slow down how quickly she can draw her blade.
3. The male lead's identity has a twist, and his characterization takes a turn too. Later on, he may end up very broken and pitiful.
Theme: Planning and success both depend on people.
