Qiao Zhuyu was forced to marry into the Wang family to bring good fortune, but was widowed before two years had passed.
Her in-laws pressured her to produce an heir. With nowhere else to turn, she saved a gravely wounded man and used her kindness as leverage, forcing him to have a child with her.
She said, "Give me a child, and I'll let you live."
After one reckless night, she got what she wanted: she became pregnant and gave the man money for the journey before sending him away.
Years later, she lives on tenterhooks with her daughter in her in-laws' home. Her vicious sister-in-law backs her into a corner at every turn and even plans to marry off her daughter to just anyone.
At the end of her rope, she finally finds the man with whom she'd once shared a brief affair.
He is now Zheng Rongyu, Duke of Xiao, a powerful and ruthless court official.
But when she begs him for help, the man smiles and says, "Back then, you forced me. Now I'll force you. Stay by my side, and I'll avenge you."
--
Later, the Wang family falsely accuses Qiao Zhuyu of infidelity, and she is about to be drowned in a pond.
Zheng Rongyu surrounds the estate with his troops and sweeps her into his arms in front of everyone.
The crowd erupts, but he says casually, "She's the mother of my child. Who do you think you are to lay a hand on her?"
Reading guide:
Clear-headed, resilient widow x obsessive, devoted powerful official. The heroine is gentle on the outside but strong within; the hero is cunning and fiercely protective.
Theme: Those who love each other will always meet again
