After losing her husband she was monopolized by her ex again

Yu Zhao, originally named Shen Yu Zhao, is a young woman from Hangzhou who was sent to live with her wealthy uncle, Wang Qingjia, in the imperial capital of Chang'an after her coming-of-age ceremony. Following her father's death, she became an orphan under the roof of the Wang family, where she faced cold indifference from her aunt and sisters. Her life changed when she encountered Xie Qi, the arrogant and powerful young Marquis of the prestigious Xie family. Xie Qi was fascinated by Yu Zhao's aloofness and repeatedly teased and pursued her, but she remained distant and fearful. Five years ago, Xie Qi left for the border to fight in the war, promising to return and propose. However, Yu Zhao, unable to withstand his pressure and perhaps seeking a safer path, married Meng Wenyin, a gentle but ill poor scholar, and moved to Youzhou City, severing ties with Chang'an and Xie Qi.

Years later, the Daqi Dynasty is in turmoil, with three kings rebelling and the imperial power weakening. Yu Zhao's husband, Meng Wenyin, dies of tuberculosis, leaving her a young widow. She attempts to return to her family in Youzhou, but the city falls to the Xie family army during the chaos. Captured as a refugee, Yu Zhao is targeted by soldiers until the strict discipline of the new commander, General Xie Qi, prevents immediate harm. She is locked in a woodshed with other captured women, where she learns that Xie Qi is the general in charge. Overcome with terror, she realizes she has fallen into the hands of the man she once rejected. Xie Qi, now a ruthless and feared warlord, discovers her identity while reviewing the refugee registers. Driven by a mix of lingering obsession and deep-seated resentment over her past betrayal, he personally captures her.

The core conflict centers on the power imbalance between Yu Zhao and Xie Qi. He confronts her with a cold, menacing demeanor, reminding her of her broken promise and her marriage to another man. Yu Zhao is trapped, unable to escape his control or the chaotic war surrounding them. Xie Qi takes her to his quarters, not out of kindness, but to assert his dominance and make her pay for her past rejection. He is tormented by the memory of seeing her happy with Meng Wenyin, a sight that fueled his jealousy and hatred. Despite his cruel exterior and violent past, evidenced by his brutal treatment of enemies, he is consumed by a possessive desire for Yu Zhao.

As the story progresses, Yu Zhao must navigate the dangerous politics of the Xie military camp while dealing with her trauma and grief for her late husband. Xie Qi's intentions remain ambiguous and threatening; he oscillates between cruel mockery and intense, almost desperate attention. The narrative explores the psychological toll of war on individuals, particularly women caught in the crossfire of powerful men. Yu Zhao's resilience is tested as she faces the possibility of sexual violence from lower-ranking soldiers and the psychological manipulation of her captor. The story sets the stage for a complex dynamic where Yu Zhao must find a way to survive under the shadow of a man who holds her life in his hands, while Xie Qi struggles with his own conflicting emotions of hatred and obsession.

The turning point occurs when Xie Qi explicitly claims Yu Zhao, declaring that she will not marry anyone else and that her past is irrelevant. He isolates her from the general chaos, placing her under his direct supervision. This act cements her status as his prisoner and object of desire. Yu Zhao, stripped of her autonomy and social standing, must rely on her wits and inner strength to endure. The narrative highlights the stark contrast between her gentle, scholarly past and the brutal reality of her present. Xie Qi's transformation from a playful nobleman to a bloodthirsty general mirrors the decay of the empire itself. Their reunion is not a romantic reconciliation but a collision of trauma and power, setting the stage for a tense and fraught relationship defined by captivity, revenge, and unresolved history.