At night, the great hall of the court is desolate. No ministers remain to discuss affairs of state.
From now on, there will be no ministers standing with their tablets in hand, heads bowed, even during the day.
The imperial palace has fallen, and the ruler's kingdom is lost.
The ruler's final dignity is to die upon his throne. But a woman, dragged in by the rebel army, breaks his silence.
She calls to him, "Brother!"
Everyone in Zhao knows that His Majesty dotes on his younger sister to the point of madness. The Princess of Qianling can ask for anything, and he will agree; she can do anything, and he will indulge her. She is the ruler's only sister, and the only person he is willing to cherish so extravagantly. Even the empress has to humble herself before the princess.
The Princess of Qianling's hair is disheveled, and a red mark stains her cheek. Tears fill her eyes as she looks at her brother.
"Crying?" the rebel leader says with a laugh. "You didn't make a sound or shed a tear when we beat you just now, but the moment you see your tyrant brother, you start crying. I'm really curious whether the rumors among the people are true."
"What are they saying?" Qianling turns her head, her eyes flashing with anger.
The leader does not answer. He raises a hand, signaling his men to approach the throne with their weapons.
As they climb the steps one by one, the fallen ruler opens his eyes. The soldiers are so frightened that they freeze where they stand, afraid to move.
The leader curses, "You cowards! He's been given a muscle-relaxing drug. We can do whatever we want with him now."
After saying this, the leader turns back to Qianling.
"Your imperial sister-in-law, the empress, gave him the drug. Look at you two siblings. Neither of you can even count on the loyalty of those around you."
Qianling looks up and sees her once proud and gentle brother being dragged down the steps like a dog. Her brother deliberately avoids her gaze.
Don't look. Don't look...
"General, what exactly are the people saying?" One of the men cannot restrain his curiosity and asks in a low voice.
The rebel leader replies mockingly, "The rumor is that those siblings have an illicit relationship."
Then he orders them to drag Qianling and her fallen ruler brother to the same spot and hold their heads in place. He says slowly, "Aren't you the one who dotes on your sister most? You treat her like a goddess. Now I want to see you defile your own... goddess with your own hands."
As if she has guessed what is coming, Qianling struggles frantically, but it is no use.
The instant their lips touch, something breaks, and everything turns upside down.
Their lips and teeth meet, their eyes locked on each other.
*
Brother, you clearly promised we'd only ever be siblings... Memories of the past come flooding back.
In a beggar's shack, Ju Li says to Qianling, "Would you be my little sister? Your brother will place the finest things in the world in your hands."
Qianling, whatever you want, your brother will fight to get it for you.
Reader's Guide:
1. They are not related by blood. All intimate moments take place after they stop calling each other brother and sister.
2. The heroine is reborn before the fall of her kingdom, and the ending is happy.
Theme: Always turn your heart toward the light
