After Marrying a Sickly Sweetheart, I Became a Salted Fish

Zhao Xiheng is a princess of the Great Zhou dynasty, orphaned at a young age and raised in the imperial palace under the care of her uncle, Emperor Shunhe. Despite her delicate and fragile appearance, which often evokes pity, she possesses a sharp mind and a survival instinct honed by years of court politics. Her father, the former Emperor Zhao Xinglie, was a brilliant military leader who died on the battlefield after being captured by the Xianbei, leaving behind unfulfilled ambitions to reclaim lost territories. In the current era of fractured power, regional warlords operate with near-independence, and the Emperor seeks to maintain stability through political marriages. Zhao Xiheng is chosen to marry the aging King of Goguryeo as a diplomatic gesture, a fate she dreads given her sensitivity to cold and the harsh northern climate. Her cousin, Princess Zhao Mingxin, the Emperor’s biological daughter, is betrothed instead to the heir of Prince Zhenbei, a powerful warlord controlling the Pingzhou region. The two princesses depart Jinyang together, their journey marked by tension and mutual disdain.

As the procession travels northeast toward Pingzhou, the atmosphere grows increasingly ominous. The region is desolate, with empty streets and a palpable sense of dread. Upon reaching the border city of Dandong, they are ambushed by soldiers led by Wei Li, a ruthless and enigmatic figure who has recently seized control of Pingzhou by killing the former Prince Zhenbei and his heir. Wei Li is described as a terrifyingly handsome man with a sadistic streak, driven by a deep-seated hatred and a desire to inflict suffering on those he perceives as having wronged him. He intercepts the imperial procession, kills the escorting general, and allows Zhao Mingxin to leave but forcibly keeps Zhao Xiheng behind. Wei Li’s motives are unclear, but he treats Zhao Xiheng with a mixture of cruelty and twisted fascination, subjecting her to psychological torment and physical discomfort in the freezing winter.

Zhao Xiheng finds herself trapped in Wei Li’s domain, forced to navigate his volatile temper while maintaining her composure. She discovers that Wei Li harbors a personal grudge against her, stemming from past events she does not fully recall. Despite his abusive behavior, Zhao Xiheng remains pragmatic, using her skills in manipulation and performance to survive. She endures his cruelty, feigning fear and weakness to placate him, while secretly plotting her escape or waiting for an opportunity to turn the tables. The political situation in Pingzhou is unstable, with neighboring Goguryeo viewing Wei Li’s seizure of power as a provocation. Northern Goguryeo launches a raid on a vital deer farm, further escalating tensions and threatening the region’s economy.

As Wei Li prepares for war against Goguryeo, his relationship with Zhao Xiheng becomes more complex. He oscillates between violence and moments of unexpected vulnerability, revealing glimpses of his own traumatic past. Zhao Xiheng, meanwhile, begins to uncover the truth about her father’s legacy and the political machinations that led to her current predicament. She realizes that her survival depends not only on enduring Wei Li’s wrath but also on understanding the broader power struggles at play. The story sets the stage for a conflict that is both personal and political, with Zhao Xiheng caught in the crossfire of a warlord’s ambition and a kingdom’s fragility.

The narrative explores themes of power, survival, and identity, as Zhao Xiheng transforms from a passive victim into an active participant in her own fate. Wei Li’s obsession with her suggests a deeper connection to her family’s history, hinting at secrets that could reshape the political landscape of the region. As war looms on the horizon, Zhao Xiheng must decide whether to submit to her fate or fight for her freedom, even if it means confronting the very forces that seek to destroy her. The story culminates in a tense standoff, with Zhao Xiheng and Wei Li facing external threats while grappling with their internal demons.