On the very day Shen Yan transmigrates into the body of a good-for-nothing son-in-law publicly rejected by the legitimate daughter of a marquis's household, he awakens the Ziwei destiny chart in the depths of despair. A powerful minister cuts off his supplies, while assassins from the martial world come for his life. The entire court sees him as a crumbling edifice.
In his darkest hour, the rebel leader's daughter slips a bloodstained sprig of cherry grass into his lapel. “The Ziwei Star is hidden; the Hegemon Star must rise. Dare you wager an empire with me?”
He treads over the bones of aristocratic houses to introduce the civil service examinations and uses modern steelmaking techniques to forge iron cavalry. Yet on the eve of his coronation, he discovers that every memorial has been altered in red ink. As the palace gates are forced open, a woman in imperial robes holds a withered sprig of cherry grass and smiles. “Back then, you said whoever held this grass would become your empress.”
Shen Yan catches the hand holding her sword and, under the gaze of countless iron-armored soldiers, bites down on the grass stem. “I've changed my mind. Put down your blade first, then come lie in my arms.”
