Married By Decree

Xu Duanyi, known as Princess Jia Shun, is the sole foreign princess residing in the Great Xia Dynasty palace. Orphaned at six and raised by her aunt, Empress Dowager Zhao Yu, she holds a unique status as the Empress Dowager's most cherished companion. Since childhood, Xu Duanyi has harbored deep affection for Xie Qingya, the current Prince of Nanan. However, her life was complicated by political arrangements: she was betrothed to the Crown Prince, Wen Zhao, who died young, leaving her widowed and bound by tradition. Xie Qingya, once a radiant and heroic young man, has become the subject of scandal since his family fell from grace following a military ambush that killed his father and brothers. He now masquerades as a drunken wastrel, frequenting brothels and associating with disreputable companions, a transformation that has alienated his younger siblings and damaged his reputation.

The central conflict erupts when Xiao Baozhu, the daughter of the Duke of the Protectorate, demands the annulment of her engagement to Xie Qingya. Baozhu has fallen in love with a new imperial scholar and has secretly lost her virginity to him, creating a scandal that threatens the royal family's dignity. The Empress Dowager faces immense pressure from conservative officials who demand the engagement be honored to preserve political alliances. Simultaneously, Cao Da, the powerful Chief Eunuch, seeks to assert his influence over the Empress Dowager by proposing a solution that would bind Princess Jia Shun to the disgraced Prince of Nanan. Cao Da believes that by forcing this marriage, he can remind the Empress Dowager that his faction controls the palace and can dictate the fate of even the highest nobility.

Xu Duanyi, aware of the political maneuvering and her aunt's distress, makes a decisive choice. She approaches the Empress Dowager and voluntarily offers to marry Xie Qingya. Xu Duanyi reasons that since she has no desire to marry anyone else and wishes to protect her aunt from further anguish, she should be the one to enter the Nanan household. She also suspects that the Empress Dowager and Cao Da intend to plant a spy within Xie Qingya's home, and she prefers that role be filled by herself rather than a stranger who might uncover secrets. Her decision shocks everyone, including her maid Bixi, who fears for her mistress's safety given Xie Qingya's notorious reputation.

The imperial edict is issued, announcing the marriage between Princess Jia Shun and the Prince of Nanan. The news causes a uproar in the capital, as nobles and scholars who admired Xu Duanyi feel betrayed by the match. Meanwhile, Xie Qingya and his confidant, Mei Xuezhen, are thrown into disarray. They had been plotting to dismantle the Xiao family's influence and had hoped to use the Baozhu scandal to their advantage. The unexpected marriage of Xu Duanyi, a figure of immense moral authority and political significance, complicates their schemes. Xie Qingya remains outwardly calm but is internally conflicted, haunted by memories of his past and his complex feelings toward Xu Duanyi.

As Xu Duanyi prepares to leave the palace, she encounters Xie Qingya in the snowy streets. He is surrounded by angry mobs and a courtesan, maintaining his facade of decadence. When Xu Duanyi intervenes to stop the violence, Xie Qingya avoids her gaze, pretending not to recognize her. This encounter highlights the emotional distance between them and the masks they wear. Xu Duanyi departs for the Nanan residence, leaving behind the safety of the palace to enter a household filled with suspicion, political intrigue, and her own unspoken love. The story sets the stage for a delicate balance of power, where Xu Duanyi must navigate her new role while protecting her secrets and her heart.