For four years, Emperor Pei Guannan has refused to fill his harem, and the court blames the man at his side.
Xie Yuanzhen has shared his hardships for fifteen years, asking for neither power nor reward.
But loyalty cannot give the dynasty an heir, and love cannot silence the ministers.
To protect the emperor’s name, Yuanzhen leaves the palace to serve the people.
Across snowbound roads and the endless rain of Nanyue, the words they cannot say become letters—and a promise to live to eighty.