The Worth of a Concubine’s Daughter

She’s an abandoned concubine-born daughter, ordered to choose a husband. Low in status but daring to a fault, she has no qualms about killing enemies, setting fires, or seizing the enemy’s elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. Everyone marvels at the fearless shrew who doesn’t care if she lives or dies. He’s the sickly heir to the virtuous prince’s estate, with one foot in the grave, yet he’s delighted to pursue his ambition of tricking her into coming back to have his babies. A sheltered lamb gets hurt and dies for her; a flamboyant pretty boy would rather swear brotherhood than fall for a beauty; her cousin schemes to steal her imperial decree; a young lady from another household challenges her to a fight; a little dumpling keeps trying to cling to her for support, making cameo appearances and acting cute; and an arrogant older brother lends a hand. Life couldn’t be more eventful. He Lan Yin takes it all in stride, occasionally playing her flute to cultivate her sensibilities. The melody sounds pleasant, but the music is anything but lighthearted. Wherever its decisive, bloodthirsty notes reach, all who stand in the way are slain, be they gods or Buddhas. Watch as she rises serenely from lowly birth to nobility. This is a one-on-one romance, not a fluffy, naive story. The leads don’t suffer heartbreak. The tone may veer off course at any moment, so read at your own risk.