“Through the window, I glimpse a wounded crane, as if looking up to see the Spring Terrace.”
Deng Ying, historically infamous as a notorious depot minister, is the subject of Yang Wan’s decade-long academic research to restore his tarnished name. When her academic research is about to be published, Yang Wan is unexpectedly transported back in time to the very era she has been researching. She finds herself standing face-to-face with Deng Ying and witnesses the beginning of his tragic life. Determined to obtain first-hand information, she stays by his side.
At first, Yang Wan views Deng Ying merely as the subject of her research. However, as history reveals its cruel truths, she gradually comes to understand Deng Ying’s struggles and his “never changing in a life” literary heart. Moved by his plight, she becomes resolved to change his fate.
JJWXC’s Version
In history, Deng Ying met a tragic end, sentenced to death by lingchi (death by a thousand cuts). Yet, even after his death, Grand Secretary Yang Lun personally inscribed the words “Utmost Purity” on his memorial.
Living in the 21st century, Yang Wan had devoted a decade of her life to studying Deng Ying. Ten years of research, ten years of blood and tears; Deng Ying became more significant to her than even her boyfriend. Then, at an academic conference, an unexpected event sent her back more than 600 years into the past, to a moment when Deng Ying was still a prisoner awaiting his sentence.
Yang Wan’s eyes lit up with excitement: “Where else could I find such first-hand material?”
Deng Ying: “Why does this woman keep carrying around a small notebook filled with English writing?”
Yang Wan: At first, I had no intention of empathizing with this feudal era. I simply wanted to witness Deng Ying’s tragic life to its end. But later, all I wanted was to save him, using everything I’ve learned and all my understanding of this dynasty to change his fate.
Deng Ying: Yang Wan lives for me. She said this to me twice—once on the night before my punishment, and once in the imperial prison at the beginning of Jinghe era.
Modern Academic Woman with a Time-Travel Twist + X + Eastern Depot Official
This is the story of an academic woman from the modern age who, despite her best efforts not to empathize with the Ming Dynasty and tried her best to enlighten a headstrong official of the Eastern Depot, only to find herself too entangled to let go in the end.
Disclaimer: This is a fictional Ming Dynasty setting, and the male protagonist is entirely the author’s creation. If you must ask what inspired this, it’s based on a legend about the construction of the Imperial City.
Read at Novelib.com
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