Bai Xue Ge 白雪歌 by Wu Yuan 雾圆

In a dream, Qu You sees Zhou Tan, the infamous historical minister with a notorious reputation, drape a coat over her shoulders on a cold winter night.

When she wakes up, she finds herself reincarnated as Zhou Tan’s bride-to-be in an arranged marriage meant to bring him good fortune.

Qu You has heard countless rumors about Zhou Tan: how he betrayed his sect as a youth, later rose to power with ruthless tactics, stubbornly pushed through a solitary reform that ended in failure, and died at the age of 31 in his hometown, leaving behind only a tarnished legacy.

But when she gazes upon the lonely minister again through a garden full of apricot blossoms, she suddenly feels that the history books are teetering on shaky ground.

—Amidst the stormy winds, she glimpses the upright and noble spirit hidden beneath his exterior.

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“After ten thousand generations, one may encounter a great sage who understands this truth; such an encounter would feel like it happened just this morning.”

—Zhuangzi, Inner Chapters, On the Equality of Things