Cai Ruyi, the third daughter of the Cài family, has lived her life in the shadows of her father’s household: branded sickly, dismissed as insignificant, yet quietly enduring constant schemes and envy. 

To survive, she learned to lies and pretend, keeping her secrets close and ambitions closer.

But when peace returns to the empire, survival becomes far more dangerous. 

In the new dawn of the capital, every banquet is a battlefront, every proposal an hidden ambition, and unseen hands tighten their hold over the throne. 

What began as family rivalries soon pulls Ruyi into a far larger game, one where the cost of a single misstep could be her freedom, her future, or her life.

And at the edges of the snowstorm waits Liu Haifeng, the exiled prince turned general. An untouchable man whose quiet return unsettles the court and stirs up past secrets.  

Ruyi must decide how far she will go to protect those she loves… and what part of herself she is willing to sacrifice.

- Cai Rú Yī (蔡如一）: Ru yi means "consistent". She is also known as: Yi'er, Young Lady Cai, Third Miss, Young Lady of the Inner Court.


表里如一biǎolǐ-rúyī "consistent in thought and action"


- Liǔ Hǎi Fēng (柳海风）: Hai feng means "sea breeze". He is also known as: Prince Qi, General Liu, His Highness, Physician Liu, Master.


- Cai Rú Wěn （蔡如稳）: Ru wen means "Steady ". He is also known as: Commander Cai, Young Master Cai


- Cai Rú Xīn (如心）: Ruxin means "after one's heart)


- Concubine Shen: Madam Shen, Second Madam


- Imperial Consort: Ruyi's aunt and godmother (Madam Zhang's sister), Beloved Consort


- Chuyang: Haifeng's closest guard, Captain


- Lu Shiqing: Level 5 Scholar (formarly); Level 1 Bookkeeper Currently, Ministry of Justice Records Division.


Gao Yichen: Prince Gao, The Queen Dowager's Grand Nephew


- Liang Tian: Commander of the Imperial Army, Son of Minister of Justice (Liang Jin)


- Madam Zhang: Zhang Pan'er, Ruyi and Ruwen's late mother, 1st daughter of the Zhang family of the Guangping commandery


- Minister of Rite: Cai Mingyu, Ruyi's father


- Governor of Qinghu: Marquis of Yong'an


- Gege, ge' – Older brother; affectionate and respectful term used by younger siblings.


- Jie-jie, jie – Older sister; affectionate term used by younger girls.


- Your Highness – A formal way to address royalty, such as a prince, queen.


- Your Majesty – A formal way to address royalty, such as emperor


- Your Ladyship – A formal way to address royalty, such as Imperial Consort, Imperial Concubine


- Master (Shifu) – Used by disciples or students to address their teacher, often in martial or medical disciplines.


- Queen Dowager – The Emperor's mother or widow of the late emperor.


- Imperial Consort – A favored consort of the Emperor.


- Imperial Concubine– An Emperor's concubine


- 'Er– added to a person's name to show affection or familiarity


- A' — added to a person's name to show friendliness or familiarity.


This can also be written as "Hour of…"


- Shashan: Gauze robe draped loosely over the shoulders. It can sometimes be tucked into the skirt.


- Qixiong Ruqun: A high-waisted dress where the skirt (qun) is tied above the chest, with the inner top (ru) tucked in. It usually has a long ribbon or band tying in front.


- Yuanling pao: Round-collar robe typically worn by men.


This chapter will get updated as the story progresses.


Glossary