The Great Qing had been ruled by three generations of emperors. The empire was prosperous, the people lived in peace, and the rivers ran clear.
Yet rumors claimed that someone at court was vicious by nature and took pleasure in sexual humiliation, with countless women dying at their hands.
Everyone who heard the rumors laughed them off, unwilling to believe they were true.
Then, one day, people began turning up one after another, hanging from crossbeams with short blades plunged into their lower bodies. Blood poured from between their swollen legs, still gushing in streams.
*
On the last night, she kissed his eyelids and smiled carelessly. "But I'm using you."
He looked at her, his eyes pitch-black. "I know."
"And do you know I already have a husband?"
He bent toward her, trying to pull her into his arms, his voice trembling. "I'll kill him."
*
No need. I'll sharpen the blade myself, then turn it on the one who humiliated and abused me.
[Reading guide]
- The female lead is not a virgin, while the male lead is. She is five years older than him.
- A revenge story.
- The title comes from the Book of Songs, "Zhao Nan: Xing Lu."
Theme: To be decided
