Song Lin is the son of a neglected concubine in a general's household, yet he bears a striking resemblance to the general's beloved legitimate daughter.
That resemblance brings him no benefit. Instead, it earns him nothing but scorn.
-
The enemy kingdom, growing stronger by the day, has crowned a new emperor, who specifically demands that the general's legitimate daughter marry into his kingdom.
As a prince, the new emperor was once captured and humiliated on the battlefield by General Song. The purpose of this marriage alliance could not be more obvious.
The pampered daughter of the general's household naturally refuses to suffer such humiliation. She would rather die than submit.
So Song Lin becomes her substitute, forced to dress as a woman and marry the enemy king in her place.
Deceiving the emperor is a grave crime, and Song Lin is a man, so he could never truly marry into the enemy kingdom.
Before he leaves, he is made to take poison. He must die on the road, within the enemy kingdom's borders.
But something goes wrong, and Song Lin doesn't die.
-
Notes:
1. The gong is an emperor with female consorts, so this is categorized as polyamorous.
2. Angsty, mildly abusive, old-school melodramatic romance.
Theme: Live life earnestly.
