Murong Jinghe

In ancient China’s Great Yan Empire, ruled by the Murong Dynasty, two princes stood in rivalry: Murong Jinghe, son of Empress Deija, and Murong Xuanile, born of a concubine. Though both were gifted, Jinghe was stronger, nobler, and beloved by the Emperor. As General of the Weibei Army, Jinghe was promised the title of Crown Prince—if he won the Quingzhou War. Jinghe triumphed, but tragedy struck when Quingzhou village was set ablaze by imperial men disguised in fake Weibei uniforms. The villagers, deceived, attacked Jinghe’s army. Bound by his mother’s teachings not to harm innocents, Jinghe refused to fight back. Most of his soldiers perished; only he and his advisor Quingou survived, wounded. Soon after, Empress Deija was poisoned. The Emperor, blinded by grief, blamed Jinghe and named Xuanile Crown Prince, who had orchestrated the entire downfall: Fire of Quingzhou, Poisoning of Empress Deija, and destruction of his army. Jinghe retreated north, secretly forming the Shadow Work Assassin Organization, hiding his identity even from his recruits. Among them was Mei Lin, a fierce beauty whose family died in the Quingzhou fire. Believing Jinghe guilty, she accepted a mission—to assassinate him. Disguised as a peace envoy from Empire Xiyan, Mei Lin entered the palace. Jinghe shocked the court by choosing her as his concubine. On their first night, she tried to kill him—but he stopped her, whispering, “Think carefully, beautiful one. I am not the culprit.” Mei Lin recalled a fake Weibei seal she’d found years ago. Realizing Jinghe’s innocence, she vowed to fight beside him. Together, with Quingou’s help, they pretended to be lovers, fooling the court and Xuanile, while secretly plotting revenge. Their love was a façade—but beneath the deception, could something real bloom?