Pursuit of Jade

Following the tragic death of her parents, Fan Chang Yu enters into a strategic fake marriage agreement with a hidden, seemingly fragile Xie Zheng to safeguard her family property and protect her younger sister. Xie Zheng willingly accepts this domestic setup to gain a reliable physical hideout and misdirect his political pursuers. This calculated contract forms the foundational partnership of the narrative, anchoring the central couple together under one roof before the chaos of war.

Involved: Fan Chang Yu — Protagonist · Xie Zheng — Protagonist · Fan Chang Ning — Participant

Years before the central story unfolds, the noble Xie household is destroyed by a devastating conspiracy orchestrated by corrupt regional administrators. False charges are brought against the clan, forcing a young Xie Zheng to abandon his aristocratic title and flee for his life into the shadows. This historical tragedy strips him of his heritage and marks the absolute starting point of his lifelong underground quest for vengeance.

Corrupt local enforcers led by Qi Shu launch a violent administrative raid on regional residents, weaponizing forged decrees to seize local assets. Fan Chang Yu utilizes her exceptional raw strength to push back their advance, while a hidden Xie Zheng subtly manipulates the tactical environment from the shadows to protect her. This high-tension clash exposes the systemic corruption of the Sui-Qi Faction and shatters the peace of their rural village setting.

Involved: Fan Chang Yu — Protagonist · Qi Shu — Antagonist · Xie Zheng — Participant

Xie Zheng successfully reconnects with his hidden domestic remnants and underground intelligence network, including tactical scouts and branch relatives. They assemble in absolute shadow to archive newly uncovered state clues, outline strict travel paths, and coordinate financial records away from public notice. This pivotal meeting transitions his personal quest from a simple rogue survival struggle into an organized, high-stakes campaign for legal restoration.

Involved: Xie Zheng — Protagonist · Xie Shi Yi — Participant · Xie Wu — Participant

Following high-level legal maneuvers led by Grand Tutor Tao Yi, the deep-seated conspiracies of the Sui-Qi Faction are officially brought before the central administration. Court matriarch Dowager An reviews the historical documentation, rendering a supreme judgment that strips the corrupt bureaucrats of their authority and formally reinstates the Marquis of Wu'an noble line. This massive political climax permanently alters the state's power balance and validates the sacrifices of the righteous factions.

Involved: Dowager An — Protagonist · Grand Tutor Tao — Protagonist · Qi Min — Antagonist

During a massive, decisive enemy ambush on the frontier camp, Fan Chang Yu steps forward onto the battlefield as a formidable martial heroine. Armed with exceptional tactical grit, she engages in a brutal dual against the faction's chief enforcer, Sui Yuan Qing, completely dismantling his front-line offense. This heroic achievement permanently turns the tide of the regional war, sealing her transformation from a simple village worker into an inspiring military defender.

Involved: Fan Chang Yu — Protagonist · Sui Yuan Qing — Antagonist · Zhuo Ran — Participant

As the dangers of the regional conflict intensify, the dense web of lies surrounding Xie Zheng's multiple undercover personas finally collapses. He formally confesses his true noble identity as the Marquis of Wu'an to Fan Chang Yu, laying bare his tragic past and his hidden quest for vengeance. This emotionally charged disclosure shatters their initial contract dynamic but c_ements an authentic, deeply resilient romantic alliance built on total transparency.

Involved: Xie Zheng — Protagonist · Fan Chang Yu — Protagonist

During a high-profile noble assembly inside the capital, wealthy traditionalists led by Yu Qian Qian launch a coordinated verbal attack targeting Fan Chang Yu's humble background as a butcher's daughter. They attempt to humiliate her publicly to force a breakdown in her marital standing. Fan Chang Yu utilizes her straightforward wit and unyielding resilience to completely expose their superficial hypocrisy, turning the elitist trap into a decisive victory for her personal dignity.

Involved: Fan Chang Yu — Protagonist · Yu Qian Qian — Antagonist · Xie Zheng — Participant