The current emperor exploits the people and indulges in debauchery, yet obeys only one thing his mother says: bring the son of the Prince of a Different Surname and the prince of a neighboring kingdom to the imperial city. Officially, they are there to be "educated," but in truth, they are hostages...
The legitimate daughter of a three-dynasty veteran was born under the prophecy, "The Purple Star will bring peace." As a result, she became a frequent visitor to the imperial palace. The three of them grew up together and studied under the same teacher, but her strategic brilliance stood out in an unexpected way...
Then one day, the famed general and Prince of a Different Surname, Ji Yun, was struck by several arrows and died on the battlefield. The emperor allowed his son to return to the frontier to pay his respects. From that moment on, secrets sealed away for years began to come to light, one after another. Nothing would ever be the same again. An unseen storm of blood and violence would sweep through the capital, the borderlands, and neighboring kingdoms...