Luan Feng

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Jiang Yinghua was once the adored darling of the royal family. In a single night, however, her elder sister deposed her brother and took control, and in a twist of fate, elevated this wayward individual as the female crown princess. Jiang Yinghua is utterly dumbfounded—so much so that she fears acting foolishly and appearing idiotic, as if her mind might “relocate.”

Yan Wanzhi, originally a noble lady from a marquis family who has fallen and been forced to flee, is unexpectedly rescued by the Empress. She becomes the Empress’s trusted confidante, secretly investigating family grudges. The Empress, troubled by her irresponsible younger sister, entrusts Yan Wanzhi with the task of keeping her under surveillance. Yet, upon meeting, emotions run wild—and with every encounter, their defenses crumble.

Could this be the spark between erstwhile enemies, or are the tumultuous affairs between two warring nations drawing them together? Or perhaps they are destined childhood sweethearts?

At their first meeting, Jiang Yinghua thought, “I hold grudges—oh, how I do!” Meanwhile, Yan Wanzhi, secretly racking her brains, mused, “I can coax, I can endure, I can tolerate even more—eventually, I’ll win you over.”

The naive young Zhao King calculates his own little schemes and ventures a test, “Wanzhi, do you have someone special in your heart?”
Yan Wanzhi’s heart flutters wildly as she internally thinks, “Silly girl, it’s you—but I dare not say it. What if you decide you don’t want me by your side?”

Zhao King continues, “Yan, I’m off to the battlefield; if I do not return…”
Yan Wanzhi retorts, “I’ll block him at the Yama Hall—trick the ghost messenger into taking the life of the enemy’s chief general first!”

Zhao King then teases, “Between your sister and me, who do you admire more?”
Yan Wanzhi replies, “Your Majesty, you’re so fierce—I only yield to gentleness, not force.”
Zhao King grumbles, “The old court officials and their incessant prattling are so bothersome.”
Yan Wanzhi assures him, “Rest easy, Your Highness. I’m about to take up my pen and sever their throats.”

Seventeen years later, in the Penglai of the Eastern Sea, the pair stand together, gazing upon the landscape:
“Wanzhi, I wonder if the Marquis of Jiayi sees a vast, rolling sea of clouds at this moment?”
“In my father’s eyes, there is only my mother—just as in mine, there is only you.”

In the flourishing era of Great Chu, amidst majestic mountains and rivers, you soothe my tender soul and redeem my heart. In each other’s arms, these two once alone have found a home—and for countless commoners, they uphold a secure haven.