In the eighth year of Chengping, amidst snow and ice, the entire Xie family was executed. Xie Jinhuai, the Prefect of Yangzhou, was sentenced to a brutal death, and the rest of the family suffered as well.

In the blink of an eye, Xie Zhi, once the cherished daughter of a prefect, was reduced to a criminal slave. Just as she was about to be sold to a brothel, she gathered her courage, clutched the hem of a man’s robe, and pleaded tearfully:

“My lord, please… take me away.”

Pei Du’s features were refined, but when his eyes fell upon her, they carried only disdain.

“Of all people to beg, you chose the presiding judge?”

Her heart turned cold. Resigned to her fate, she intended to end her miserable life in the brothel. Yet the first time she faced a client, fear overwhelmed her, and she fled.

Pursued by guards, Xie Zhi hurriedly hid inside a roadside carriage—only to tremble at the sight of the man within.

“My lord, don’t be angry. I’ll leave right away.”

“Are you sure about that?”

• At first, taking her back to his manor was nothing more than a passing whim. But after an unexpected twist, Xie Zhi ended up at his side.

Pei Du always knew this girl’s heart was less than pure. Yet seeing her obedient and clever, soft and enchanting, he indulged her. He had even planned to grant her a proper place once he took a wife.

But unexpectedly, she stole her slave papers, fled with his child, and did so not just once.

At that moment, Pei Du realized—it had all been an elaborate deception.

She had woven a dream for herself.

Since that was the case—then no one would be allowed to wake.

(P.S. The heroine is rebellious and reckless, the hero is rigid and arrogant. Neither of their personalities is perfect!)