Bai Ciyou fell into the hands of her political enemies and was thrown into prison. The one in charge of interrogating her was the notorious official famed for his ruthless methods.
Worse still, she had once offended him badly.
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Everyone knew that King Chao had a poisonous strategist in his ranks. Few had ever seen the man, but his deeds had spread far and wide. After all, his schemes were so deep and his tactics so vicious that they were almost beyond belief.
Few knew, however, that the woman in the palace who always traveled in a covered carriage to guard against the wind, and who spent half of every month taking medicine, was the infamous strategist known throughout the land.
Bai Ciyou had been sickly since birth. More prone to illness than others, she was pale all year round. In this chaotic age of war between eight states, she should have died long ago.
But she had a brilliant mind. She had helped King Chao inherit the throne, expand his territory, and survive against all odds. Every one of those achievements owed something to her.
King Chao treated her like a priceless treasure whom no one else was allowed to touch. The palace officials could only stew in their anger, even when her poison-tipped tongue nearly drove them mad.
Because if she became displeased, she would clutch her chest and lean back in her chair. Then the officials would likely be summoned to the palace for a little visit.
She was naturally suspicious and meticulous, but even the most careful person can make a mistake. She had been duped and thrown into prison. This time, even King Chao might not be able to save her.
The man in charge of interrogating her was almost inhuman: ruthless, vicious, and extreme in his methods. No one ever left his prison without confessing. Those who had been interrogated by him often remained deranged for years, right up until their deaths.
With her frail little body? Surviving even one round would take a miracle.
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A month later, Bai Ciyou emerged without a scratch. In fact, she looked even rosier than when she had gone in.
The officials who had been waiting to see her make a fool of herself were left dumbfounded.
So much for his ruthlessness?
So much for the cold-faced King of Hell?
The only thing that comforted them was that after one trip to prison, someone had finally learned how to keep Bai Ciyou in line!
Bai Ciyou: “Thanks for asking, but I’m afraid I’m busy. I’m going to watch a dance performance on a pleasure boat with my husband tonight.”
Her husband?
That man?
* Set in a chaotic era, inspired by the Warring States period
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