Bronze Sparrows Sing in Chang'an

In the second year of the Holy Era, the Empress began appointing women to official posts. Zhu Yan, the illegitimate daughter of the Zhu family, learned the necessary skills and entered the Ministry of Justice, becoming a low-ranking clerk. However, when her elder legitimate sister eloped, Zhu Yan was forced by her father's desperate pleas to take her sister's place and marry Shen Du, the Grand Commander of the Inner Guard.

On their first day as newlyweds, Shen Du drew his blade and laid down three warnings for her:

First, don't dream of becoming a real Madam Shen. His marriage to Zhu Yan would be in name only.

Second, don't dream of getting even a scrap of information out of him. He knew Zhu Yan was a spy sent by the Li family.

Third, don't dream of surviving three months in the Shen residence. He would kill her with his own hands.

Zhu Yan remained silent.

Later, everyone in Chang'an watched from outside Zhu Yan's door as the ruthless, arrogant Grand Commander, second only to the emperor, clung to the crack in the door and pleaded again and again, "Madam, please let your husband in." The Outcast