In the winter of Yong'an Year 37, heavy snow blanketed the walls of the Cold Palace.
Princess Zhaohua, Shen Ninghua, gave her heart to the wrong man. She fell for Gu Yanchen, son of the Grand Tutor, and helped him rise through the ranks and seize power at court.
But in the end, he revealed his wolfish ambition. He colluded with the imperial in-laws and framed the royal family. The Shen family was slaughtered, their blood staining the palace walls. She was stripped of her title, imprisoned in the frigid palace, and poisoned to death, carrying her hatred to the grave.
When her soul returned to Yong'an Year 25, she was fifteen again, before she had fallen for him and before their engagement had become binding.
In her previous life, she had been foolish and naive, letting others manipulate her and becoming a stepping stone for their rise to power.
In this life, she buried her tenderness and kept a blade hidden in her heart, proceeding carefully as she settled every debt from the past.
She entered Chongwen Academy to study, learn to read people's hearts, conceal her sharpness, and establish her authority.
She severed the ill-fated bond in public, exposed hypocrisy, foiled schemes, and brought the capital to heel.
When her scumbag ex pretended to be tender and tried to control her again, she saw right through him. When the fake innocent acted weak to win sympathy, she slapped her down to her face.
She had only wanted to protect her loved ones, secure the royal family, avenge her family's blood, and live out her days in peace.
But unexpectedly, she caught the attention of Prince Yan, Xiao Jue, a cold and ruthless man with power over the entire court.
He held the capital in his grip and commanded a mighty army, looking down coldly on the power struggles at court. Yet he treated her as someone special, willing to brave turmoil, break the game, and shield her from hidden attacks.
She was a princess returned from the flames of vengeance, whose brilliance shook the court.
He was a deep and inscrutable, scheming prince, who gave his heart to one person.
From then on, they would walk the same path of love, play the game of power together, pledge the realm as their betrothal gift, and spend their lives by each other's side.
Theme: Still considering the theme.
