Lin Huanzhi transmigrates as the daughter of a bandit chief.
As soon as she arrives, her father is gravely ill, and the second-in-command schemes to take his place and force himself on Lin Huanzhi.
Fortunately, before falling ill, her father snatched a cool, aloof gentleman for her and had him brought to the stronghold as a live-in son-in-law.
But she hears that no amount of threats or sweet-talking can make the man budge.
Lin Huanzhi figures she might as well let him go and find someone more compliant.
But after seeing her astonishingly handsome husband with her own eyes...
Lin Huanzhi ponders for a long time, then turns and whispers solemnly to her trusted maid, "Go back and find my pink silk belly wrap."
After a secret discussion, Lin Huanzhi and the man become a fake couple, each getting what they want.
She'd assumed the man was like ice over a spring pool, but behind his graceful, moonlit appearance lurked a streak of madness. Cold, cruel, and decisive, he could take someone's life in the blink of an eye.
Lin Huanzhi is terrified. For nearly half a year, she keeps a pink belly wrap hidden under her pillow, never daring to put it to use.
Later, she successfully drives out the second-in-command, and her father's health gradually improves.
Lin Huanzhi prepares a farewell banquet, hoping to part amicably with her counterfeit husband...
Later still, the realm is unified, and the bandits are granted amnesty.
When Lin Huanzhi and her father are brought into the palace, they finish kowtowing and look up at the dragon throne above them.
Her heart skips a beat.
Isn't that the counterfeit husband she parted with?
From the emperor's manner, you'd think they were strangers. He seems determined to keep their brief affair a secret.
Lin Huanzhi breathes a sigh of relief and pretends not to recognize him, keeping her head down as she settles into the life of an official's daughter.
Everyone in the capital knows that the newly appointed Ministry of War secretary used to be a bandit chief, and that he has a daughter as lovely as a flower.
At a garden party, Lin Huanzhi is set up to meet a young general.
Trying to imitate the gentle manners of the capital's noblewomen, Lin Huanzhi says, "I should let you know, sir, that I was married before. I'm a widow now, living at home."
But before the general can answer, the crowd lets out a startled gasp and parts for a figure in imperial yellow. His phoenix eyes radiate authority even without anger, and everyone around them immediately drops to their knees.
The emperor's voice is as cold as ice as he looks at the woman dressed to the nines. "A widow...?"
"You're cursing me!"
Theme: Love can bloom from humble beginnings
