The Princess's Ex-Lover

Li Wu, the Princess of Pingyang, returns to the capital after three years at the border, only to find her life upended by political maneuvering and unresolved romantic entanglements. Her brother, Emperor Jiahe, summons her to discuss a marriage alliance with the Tatars, a nomadic tribe that has long plagued Great Jin’s borders. The Tatars have specifically requested Li Wu’s hand in marriage as a condition for peace. However, the proposal is not merely a diplomatic strategy; it appears to be a calculated move orchestrated by He Zhiyu, a high-ranking official and the man Li Wu once loved and abandoned. He Zhiyu, now the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and heir to the Marquis of Xuanping, has risen rapidly in status, having saved the Emperor’s life and been recognized by his long-lost father. His advocacy for the marriage alliance is widely interpreted as an act of revenge for the heartbreak Li Wu inflicted upon him years ago.

The core conflict centers on the complex history between Li Wu and He Zhiyu. Three years prior, Li Wu had pursued He Zhiyu relentlessly, capturing his heart only to discard him when she departed for the border. He Zhiyu, once a poor scholar filled with hope and affection, was left devastated. Now, he is a cold, distant figure who refuses to acknowledge her past feelings. Li Wu, however, remains unfazed by his hostility. She suspects that the marriage alliance is a ploy by He Zhiyu to punish her, but she also senses that his hatred is not absolute. To counter his scheme and protect herself, Li Wu introduces a shocking element into the mix: a two-year-old daughter named Li Wan. She claims that Wanwan is He Zhiyu’s child, a claim that sends him into a spiral of confusion and anger. In reality, Wanwan is not his daughter, nor is she the child of Xi Mingzhong, a general who recently returned to the capital and is rumored to be Li Wu’s former lover. Li Wu uses the child as a strategic tool to manipulate public opinion and force He Zhiyu into a corner.

As rumors swirl through the capital, the political landscape becomes increasingly volatile. The Lü family, led by the powerful Prime Minister Lü Hong, is suspected of behind-the-scenes manipulation, though Li Wu remains skeptical of their involvement. Li Yingxi, the Princess Yun’an, attempts to ally with He Zhiyu against Li Wu, believing that He Zhiyu’s support for the marriage alliance stems from resentment. However, He Zhiyu rejects her advances, stating that rumors cannot be trusted. This rejection frustrates Li Yingxi, who feels overshadowed by Li Wu once again. Meanwhile, Li Wu openly parades with He Zhiyu in public, riding together in the streets and engaging in playful banter that confuses onlookers. Her goal is to stir the waters further, making it appear as though she and He Zhiyu are reconciling, thereby complicating the political narrative surrounding the marriage alliance.

The story reaches a critical turning point when Li Wu visits He Zhiyu at his family residence, confronting his father, the Marquis of Xuanping, who demands that He Zhiyu distance himself from Li Wu. Li Wu defends He Zhiyu, revealing her understanding of his painful past with his absentee father. She then takes him on a public ride, deliberately creating a spectacle that draws the attention of nobles and commoners alike. During this outing, they encounter Lü Xueying, a young woman with ties to the Lü family, who is intrigued by the apparent intimacy between Li Wu and He Zhiyu. Li Wu’s actions suggest that she is not merely reacting to He Zhiyu’s schemes but is actively trying to unravel the true motivations behind the marriage alliance and the rumors surrounding her.

Throughout these interactions, Li Wu maintains a calm and calculating demeanor, using the child Wanwan and her public displays with He Zhiyu to gain leverage. She visits the Empress with Wanwan, further cementing the child’s presence in the palace and forcing the Emperor to confront the situation. The Emperor, though initially angry, is softened by Wanwan’s charm. Li Wu’s strategy is to create a web of intrigue that makes it difficult for any faction to use the marriage alliance against her. As the Tatar envoys prepare to arrive, the tension in the capital mounts, with everyone waiting to see how Li Wu will navigate the dangerous waters of court politics and personal vendettas. The story sets the stage for a deeper exploration of love, revenge, and power, as Li Wu and He Zhiyu continue their intricate dance of manipulation and emotion.