"Shen Zhen, the Emperor has recalled his edict. I will cancel my wedding with Xu Qiniang this instant. Come back to me."

"Does Your Lordship know, they say that there are no bluer skies than those of Mobei and that the clouds float so low that if one were to lift one's hand, they would graze one's fingertips. I wish to see it."

"Look at me and tell me clearly … Do you love him?"

"I do."

"What was all this the Third Miss and I shared these years? Nothing but fog?"

"When is the wedding to be held?"

"In two years from now."

"And then? How should I address you then? My Lady, the Marquise Changping?

"Your Lordship has been very kind to Shen Zhen. She promises never to forget his life-saving grace. If ever there be another life …"

"You know I do not believe in rebirth. The road to Mobei is long and tiring. Take care of yourself."

¤¤¤

The Marquis Yunyang was deposed by the Emperor and his family ended up in dire straits overnight. As such, the Third Miss of the Shen Household, her family's most precious jewel, found herself abandoned by all with a sick brother on her hands. Having no other choice, she set up a cosmetics shop in Chang'an.

But to the eyes of all, especially her relatives', she had become nothing but an alluring flower any man could pick at will.

Passing by her Baixuan Pavilion, the heir to the Grand Duchy of Zhen, Lu Yan, witnessed her being harassed by the idle sons of Chang'an's leading class. Her appearance reminded him of dreams that had been plaguing him lately, revealing to him a past with her and the sultry love affair they had shared in a previous life.

With shaking fingers, he also remembered the bitter taste of heartbreak when she left him to marry another man.

Thus, in this life, he decided to save her once more, lure her into an affair, install her as his mistress and never let her escape his sphere of influence again.

However, to keep Shen Zhen by his side, finding her a place to stay and caring for her brother was not enough. Little did Lu Yan know he would be pulled into the darkest corners of Chang'an and take part in games of power that at times implicated the Main Gentleman of the Empire, the Emperor himself. Selling what he held dearest in the process: his integrity as an official.

All for the sake of Chang'an's First Beauty.