When the Kingdom of Yue fell, Xi Ying, a consort, thought of how her life had been wasted, drifting without a home. Unwilling to become a prisoner of the enemy, she leapt from the city wall and gave her life for her country.
When she woke again, she had somehow been sent into the palace of the enemy ruler.
At the last moment of her life, a deity appeared in her dream and made a deal with her. The deity told her that the enemy's royal family was incompetent, treacherous ministers held power, and the people were suffering, but the dynasty had not yet reached its end.
As it happened, the true ruler of this land had appeared, and could save the people from their misery. Xi Ying's task was to become a wicked consort, bring ruin to the country, destroy the enemy's foundations, and support the new ruler's rise to power.
The deity promised that if she was willing to bear infamy for a thousand years, it would ensure that in her next life she could reunite with the one she loved.
Xi Ying thought it was a fair bargain: trade an imperfect present life for a perfect next one. So let her become the brightest red flower in this storm-tossed Great Wei.
Thus, she appointed eunuchs, pushed aside loyal ministers, launched massive construction projects, and indulged in poetry, wine, song, and dance, keeping the emperor from attending court. And yet the results were:
Clean government, exonerated loyal officials, thriving commerce, and a wealthy, powerful nation.
So the people all said: With Consort Xi in charge, the nation is truly blessed!
Ever since Rong Hui destroyed his body and was reborn with his memories intact, he had been searching for Xi Ying. When he saw her again, she was dressed in red, leaping from the city wall into the falling snow.
He knew she had forgotten everything from their past life. He knew she must have found someone new to love in this life. But he had promised to protect her for all eternity, and he didn't mind dying to keep that promise.
Whatever she wanted, he would give her. If she wanted his kingdom, she could have it.
She did as she pleased out front, while he cleared every obstacle from her path. Punishing a few corrupt officials was just something he could take care of along the way.
Theme: True love knows no regret
The ministers: Where is the evil concubine? This is obviously a virtuous concubine 🐶