The orphan Jin Shi discovers one day that she is the Empress Dowager's illegitimate daughter, raised among the common folk. She is not only granted the title of County Lady but also given an arranged marriage. At a banquet, someone laments, "The Junior Prefect of the Capital Prefecture comes from a prestigious family and has a bright future. How could a vulgar girl from the streets ever be his match?"
Hah. Jin Shi has dealt with Pei Zhan before. He never smiles and never lets a slight go unpunished. She'd rather take a detour than run into him. Jin Shi sneers, "I have even less regard for useless heirs who coast on their ancestors' achievements."
Just then, someone passes by, cool and handsome as jade, with the bearing of a crane and the strength of a pine. Everyone greets him: "Junior Prefect Pei."
Jin Shi's face stiffens.
Caught gossiping behind his back again... But she's a County Lady now. She's not afraid!
Since she cannot break off the engagement, the two treat each other with icy politeness.
One day, the Capital Prefecture asks her to help investigate a case, and Pei Zhan specifically requests that she accompany him.
No one knows that the mysterious person the authorities are pursuing, "Puzhong Immortal," is Jin Shi herself.
With her incredible skills at the game of Chupu, she blends in among the capital's gaming houses. She never shows her real face, and has long since become a thorn in Junior Prefect Pei's side.
Now that she has to spend her days and nights with Pei Zhan, Jin Shi feels as if she's walking on pins and needles. Worse, her childhood friend, who knows her secrets, sees right through her disguise.
He lowers his voice. "Aren't you afraid he'll find out?"
Before she can answer, she looks up and meets Pei Zhan's gaze.
"Wasn't the County Lady tired?" Pei Zhan says coldly, watching the two whisper together.
Jin Shi smiles. "There's no need for you to worry, Lord Pei."
Pei Zhan's expression turns even colder.
She's been so polite. Can't this icicle be a little more understanding?
To get out of this, Jin Shi can only tell herself to put up with it a little longer.
In the carriage, she keeps making excuses to avoid traveling with him, but Pei Zhan only says, "No."
Fuming, Jin Shi turns away and pretends to sleep. As she drifts off, she feels something warm and soft press against her lips. When she wakes, she finds Pei Zhan stealing a kiss.
After a moment of shock, she blurts out, "Pei Zhan, have you lost your mind?"
"Are you done pretending, Madam?" Pei Zhan stares at her.
She has never seen him look at her like this, as if he wants to devour her whole.
He had thought she was affected and false, and that he could watch coolly until she finally showed her true face. But then he saw her smiling brightly at someone else, and realized that the one who was affected and false was actually him.
- Marriage first, love later, with plenty of romantic rivals
- An alternate setting inspired by the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties
Chupu: A game similar to dice and board games, like a more complex version of Ludo
Theme: May everything go your way, with good luck always by your side~
