In the costume drama "Between the Ink Rain Clouds", Xiao Yu's life experience has become a fascinating puzzle. As the young master of the Suguo Mansion, Xiao Yu has been shrouded in a veil of mystery since he was a child. His father has been missing for many years, and the cause of his mother's death is even more mysterious. As the plot progresses, the audience gradually discovers that Xiao Yu's life experience is actually involved in a palace secret more than 20 years ago.
And the appearance of Jiang Li seems to have brought a ray of light to Xiao Yu. Why was this seemingly weak but actually strong girl able to touch Xiao Yu's cold heart? What's so special about her background? When the truth of Xiao Yu's life story gradually surfaces, can we understand his love for Jiang Li?
Xiao Yu's family background
The status of the Suguo Mansion in the Yan Dynasty can be described as extraordinary. This glory originated from Xiao Yu's grandfather, General Xiao, who was young and fought with the first emperor in the south and the north, and made great military exploits, and was named the Duke of Suguo. General Xiao has only one son, Xiao Yuhan, who is Xiao Yuhan's father.
Xiao Yuhan has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, and he is talented, and at the age of eighteen, he went into battle with his father to kill the enemy. In a battle against the invasion of the northern nomads, Xiao Yuhan relied on extraordinary courage and excellent tactics to defeat the invading enemy with less and more with more than he could. This battle not only protected the safety of the border people, but also won ten years of peace for the Yan Dynasty. The first emperor Long Yan Dayue personally gave Xiao Yuhan the title of "General Jinwu".
However, just when Xiao Yuhan's career was in full swing, he made a decision that shocked the government and the opposition - to marry Yu Hongye, the daughter of the criminal minister. Yu Hongye's father was once an important minister in the court, but he was convicted of being involved in a corruption case, and the whole family was implicated. Yu Hongye, as the concubine of the Yu family, was relegated to the Qinglou.
At that time, in Yanjing City, countless aristocratic sons fell for Yu Hongye's beauty, but no one dared to marry her. Xiao Yuhan ignored the opposition of his family, and resolutely married Yu Hongye into the door. This move caused an uproar in Yanjing City at that time, and many people thought that Xiao Yuhan was fascinated by beauty and unseemly.
However, Xiao Yuhan always insisted on his choice. He not only ransomed Yu Hongye, but also went to the palace in person to ask the emperor for his life and beg for the restoration of the Yu family's reputation. Emperor Xian Nian had made great achievements in Xiao Yuhan and reluctantly agreed to his request, but also warned him not to inquire about the matter again.
After marriage, Xiao Yuhan and Yu Hongye fell in love, and soon had Xiao Yu. However, the good times did not last long, and when Xiao Yu was one year old, a war broke out at the border pass, and Xiao Yuhan was ordered to go on the expedition. When he returned triumphantly, he learned that Yu Hongye had died of illness.
The cause of Yu Hongye's death became a mystery. Some say she contracted the plague, others say she was poisoned, and others say she died of depression. No matter what the truth is, Xiao Yuhan suddenly disappeared after dealing with Yu Hongye's aftermath.
Since then, the atmosphere of the Suguo Mansion has become strange. Almost all the subordinates in the mansion have been replaced, and the maid who once served Yu Hongye has never appeared again. Xiao Yuhan's father, General Xiao, began to raise the young Xiao Yu alone, and Xiao Yuhan's whereabouts became a mystery.
As time passed, the first emperor died, and the new emperor Hongxiao ascended the throne. Xiao Yu, who was only fourteen years old, inherited the title of Duke of Su Guo and became the youngest Duke of Guo in the Yan Dynasty. However, behind this glory lies endless loneliness and confusion.
Since childhood, Xiao Yu has lived in an environment full of mysteries. The cause of his mother's death is a mystery, his father's whereabouts are unknown, and even the servants in the palace are secretive about the past. This atmosphere has created Xiao Yu's taciturn and thoughtful character. He seems cold and detached on the surface, but in fact, he hides countless questions and thirst for the truth inside.
The shadow of Xiao Yu's childhood
Xiao Yu's childhood was not as carefree as that of other aristocratic children. The mysterious death of his mother Yu Hongye and the mysterious disappearance of his father Xiao Yuhan cast a lingering shadow on the young Xiao Yu.
When the news of Yu Hongye's death came, Xiao Yu was still in infancy. There was a lot of discussion among the people in the house, some people said that the lady was infected with the plague, some people said that she was poisoned, and some people said that she was worried about the disease. Regardless of the truth, Yu Hongye's death brought a huge shock to the Suguo Mansion.
After Xiao Yuhan dealt with Yu Hongye's aftermath, he suddenly disappeared. It is rumored that he lived in seclusion in the mountains and forests due to excessive grief, and others say that he went to find out the cause of his wife's death. In any case, Xiao Yuhan's disappearance left an incurable scar on Xiao Yuhan's young mind.
Xiao Yu, who lost his parents, was raised by his grandfather, General Xiao. General Xiao is a veteran who has experienced strong winds and waves, and in the face of what happened to his grandson, he chose to remain silent. He neither revealed any information about his parents to Xiao Xin, nor did he allow anyone in the house to mention the matter in front of Xiao Xin.
This deliberate silence deepened Xiao Yu's curiosity and longing for his parents. In the dead of night, the young Xiao Yu often stood alone in the back garden of the mansion, looking up at the starry sky and imagining what his parents would look like. However, apart from some vague impressions, his memories of his parents are almost blank.
Although General Xiao was silent, he was meticulous in his protection of Xiao Yu. He personally selected the best teacher for Xiao Yu and taught him to be both civil and military. At the same time, he also secretly arranged a group of elite guards to protect Xiao Yu's safety day and night.
However, this excessive protection also made Xiao Yu feel suffocated. He longs to be like other children, to be able to run freely, play and meet new people. But every time he tried to get out of the mansion, he was always stopped by the guards for various reasons.
As he grew older, he became aware of the responsibilities he carried. As the sole heir to the Suguo Mansion, he must uphold the honor and status of the family. This sense of responsibility makes him reticent and reluctant to show emotion.
When Xiao Yu was ten years old, an incident completely changed his life. That day, he overheard two old servants talking in private, mentioning that the cause of his mother's death might be related to the palace. This news was like a bolt of lightning that hit Xiao Yu's heart.
From that day on, Xiao Yu began to secretly investigate the cause of his mother's death and his father's disappearance. He uses his identity and resources to search for information and gather clues. However, whenever he gets close to the truth, he always encounters various obstacles and dangers.
At the age of fourteen, the first emperor died, and the new emperor Hongxiao ascended the throne. As the heir of the Suguo Mansion, Xiao Yu was summoned to the palace to participate in the enthronement ceremony. This was the first time he had stepped into the palace, and it was also the first time he had close contact with the center of the imperial court.
At the enthronement ceremony, Xiao Yu keenly observed everyone's expressions and actions. He noticed that when the Queen Mother appeared, Xia Jun Wang Yin Zhan's eyes flickered. This subtle expression caught Xiao Yu's attention, and he vaguely felt that there might be some secret hidden in it.
After the enthronement ceremony, Xiao Yu officially inherited the title of Duke of Su Guo and became the youngest Duke of Guo in the Yan Dynasty. This status is both an honor and a heavy burden. Xiao Yu knew that he not only had to manage the huge Suguo Mansion, but also continued to investigate his parents' affairs.
In order to better accomplish these tasks, Xiao Yu began to make allies in the DPRK and China. He paid special attention to a young official named Wen Ji, who although his official position was not high, he was outstanding in ability and integrity. Xiao Yu decided to win over Wenji and make him his right-hand man.
At the same time, Xiao Yu also began to learn some special skills. He secretly visited an old Taoist priest who lived in seclusion on the outskirts of the city and learned from him some poison techniques and antidote methods. Xiao Yu believes that in this court full of intrigue, these skills may come in handy.
As the investigation deepens, Xiao gradually realizes that the death of his mother and the disappearance of his father may be involved in a larger conspiracy. This conspiracy not only concerns his family, but may also affect the fate of the entire Yan Dynasty.
The mystery of Jiang Li's life experience
The appearance of Jiang Li is like a spring breeze blowing into Xiao Yu's long-dormant life. This seemingly weak but strong girl not only touched Xiao Zhen's heart, but also became the key person to solve the mystery of Xiao Zhen's life experience.
Jiang Li was born in a small town in the southern part of the Yan Dynasty. Her father, Jiang Yuan, was an ordinary local scholar, and her mother, Li, was the daughter of a pharmacy in the town. Jiang Li showed extraordinary intelligence from an early age, and was able to recite the Book of Songs at the age of six, and at the age of eight, he was able to copy articles for his father.
However, when Jiang Li was ten years old, a sudden change changed her peaceful life. One night, a group of masked men broke into Jiang's house and took Jiang Yuan and Li away. The young Jiang Li escaped by hiding in the cupboard, but has since lost the news of her parents.
Jiang Li, who lost both parents, was sent to Tzu Chi Nunnery in the town to be raised. Seeing that Jiang Li was very intelligent, the owner of the nunnery, Cihui Shitai, personally taught her poetry and book etiquette. In addition, Mrs. Tzu Hui also imparted some medical knowledge to Jiang Li, which later became an important skill for Jiang Li to become self-reliant.
During her time at Tzu Chi Nunnery, although Jiang Li lived a stable life, her longing for her parents and her thirst for the truth never stopped. In the dead of night, she would stand alone on the hillside outside the nunnery, looking north, hoping to find her parents one day.
When Jiang Li was 16 years old, Tzu Chi Nunnery welcomed a special guest. The guest was an old woman from the capital who claimed to be a distant relative of Jiang Li's mother. The old woman told Jiang Li that her parents might still be alive and most likely in the capital.
This news gave Jiang Li hope. With the support of Mrs. Tzu Hui, Jiang Li decided to go to the capital to find the whereabouts of her parents. Before leaving, Mrs. Tzu Hui gave Jiang Li a jade pendant and told her to ask for help in case of danger.
Jiang Li embarked on a journey to the capital. Along the way, she encountered many difficulties and dangers. Once, she was kidnapped by a group of mountain bandits, but luckily met a passing caravan to save her. The leader of this caravan was none other than Wen Ji, who later became Xiao Yu's right-hand man.
Wen Ji was impressed by Jiang Li's intelligence and strength, and offered to escort her to the capital. On the way to the capital, Wen Ji told Jiang Li many things about the capital, including the rumors of the Suguo Mansion.
Jiang Li is particularly interested in the story of the Suguo Mansion, especially what happened to Xiao Yu's parents. She vaguely felt that the disappearance of her parents might have some connection with the Suguo Mansion.
After arriving in the capital, Jiang Li found a job in a pharmacy with the help of Wenji's connections. While she was working, she secretly inquired about her parents. However, the capital is huge and complex, and Jiang Li's investigation has not made much progress.
Just when Jiang Li was feeling confused and desperate, a chance chance changed her fate. One day, a noble son suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the pharmacy. With her medical knowledge, Jiang Li quickly diagnosed the symptoms and prescribed medicine, and successfully treated this noble son.
This noble son is Xiao Yu's friend, Zhao Qian, the son of the Jiangnan political envoy. Zhao Qian was full of praise for Jiang Li's medical skills and told Xiao Yu about it. After Xiao Yu heard about it, he became interested in this girl named Jiang Li.
Soon after, Xiao Yu came to the pharmacy where Jiang Li worked on the pretext of seeing a doctor. When the two first met, they felt that there was an inexplicable connection between them. Xiao Yu is attracted by Jiang Li's intelligence and strength, and Jiang Li is full of curiosity about the mystery of Xiao Li's body.
In the subsequent contact, Xiao Yu gradually revealed the mystery of his life experience to Jiang Li. Jiang Li also told Xiao Yu about her experience of finding her parents. The two are surprised to find that the disappearance of their parents seems to be related to a mysterious organization.
In order to better investigate the truth, Xiao Yu proposed to let Jiang Li move into the Suguo Mansion and live as his cousin. Jiang Li agrees to the offer, but unbeknownst to her, this decision has drawn her into a larger maelstrom of conspiracy.
After moving into the Suguo Mansion, Jiang Li began to assist Xiao Yu in investigating the whereabouts of his parents. Using her medical knowledge, she gradually gained the trust of the old servants in the palace by treating them, and thus gained some key information.
At the same time, Jiang Li also secretly continues to search for the whereabouts of her parents. She found that her father Jiang Yuan used to be Yu Hongye's tutor, and her mother Li was Yu Hongye's personal maid. This discovery made Jiang Li realize that his life story may be more complicated than he imagined.
As the investigation deepens, Jiang Li and Xiao Yu gradually discover that the disappearance of their parents points to a common goal - the palace. This discovery made them realize that they might be facing a huge conspiracy involving the change of imperial power.
The conspiracy of King Xia Jun
Yin Zhan, the king of Xia County, as the younger brother of the first emperor, has always coveted the supreme throne. However, after the death of the first emperor, Emperor Hong Xiao, who was only ten years old, inherited the unification, and Yin Zhan's ambitions were frustrated again. But this did not stop him from continuing his plot to usurp the throne.
Yin Zhan was respectful to Emperor Hong Xiao on the surface, but in fact he secretly cultivated power to prepare for the usurpation of the throne in the future. He used his status as the king of the county to install cronies in the court, and at the same time bought the hearts of the people among the people. He paid special attention to winning over the generals in the army, believing that only by grasping military power could he seize power in one fell swoop at a critical moment.
In order to achieve his goal, Yin Zhan did not hesitate to adopt some despicable means. He secretly assembled a secret force called the "Shadow Guard". This team is made up of dead soldiers who are proficient in martial arts and good at assassination, and they are responsible for dealing with some shady deeds.
Yin Zhan's ambition did not escape the eyes of the Queen Mother. As the biological mother of Emperor Hong Xiao, the Empress Dowager was well aware that Yin Zhan's ambitions posed a threat to the young emperor. In order to protect her son's throne, the Queen Mother began to secretly join forces with some loyal ministers to resist Yin Zhan's forces.
At this time, Xiao Yu, as a leader in the younger generation, naturally became the object of wooing both sides. Yin Zhan took a fancy to Xiao Zhen's talent and the influence of the Suguo Mansion, and invited Xiao Zhen to private banquets many times, intending to draw him into his camp. The Queen Mother tried to get him to side with the emperor by giving Xiao Yu some special errands.
In the face of this situation, Xiao Yu remained neutral on the surface, but in fact secretly investigated the movements of the two sides. He realizes that the disappearance of his parents is most likely related to this power struggle.
It was at this time that an unexpected discovery changed the situation. When Jiang Li was sorting out the old things of the Suguo Mansion, he found a letter hidden in the secret compartment. The letter was left by Xiao Yu's mother, Yu Hongye, and it mentioned an organization called "Tianji Pavilion".
The name "Tianji Pavilion" reminded Xiao Yu of a few words he overheard when he was a child. He begins to suspect that this mysterious organization may be the key to his parents' disappearance.
In order to further find out the truth, Xiao Yu decided to take a risk and infiltrate the Xia County Palace. Under the pretext of visiting, he took the opportunity to find out the secrets of the house. During an investigation, Xiao Yu accidentally discovered the underground secret room of the Xia County Palace.
In the secret room, Xiao Yu found a lot of information about the "Tianji Pavilion". He was surprised to find that the "Tianji Pavilion" turned out to be a secret organization formed by the remnants of the previous dynasty, whose purpose was to overthrow the Yan Dynasty and restore the rule of the previous dynasty. What's even more shocking is that Yin Zhan, the king of Xia County, turned out to be a secret member of the "Tianji Pavilion".
Xiao Yu realized the seriousness of the situation and immediately informed Jiang Li and Wen Ji of this discovery. After deliberation, the three decided that the news must be conveyed to the Queen Mother as soon as possible to prevent Yin Zhan's conspiracy from succeeding.
However, things did not go as Xiao Yu wanted. Just as they were about to act, Jiang Li suddenly disappeared. Xiao Yu searched everywhere and finally found traces of ginger pear in an abandoned temple. But what awaits him is an even bigger surprise.
There, Xiao Yu not only found Jiang Li, but also met his father Xiao Yuhan, who had been missing for many years. It turned out that Xiao Yuhan had been secretly investigating the "Tianji Pavilion" all these years, in order to find out the cause of his wife Yu Hongye's death. And Jiang Li's parents were also forced to disappear because they were involved in this conspiracy.
Before the joy of the father and son recognizing each other subsided, Xiao Yuhan revealed an even more shocking news to Xiao Yu: The Queen Mother was also a member of the "Tianji Pavilion". For many years, the Queen Mother has been using her position to secretly plan for the "Tianji Pavilion".
This news was like a thunderbolt from the blue, making it difficult for Xiao Yu to accept it for a while. He realized that the situation was much more complicated than he had imagined. Not only is King Xia Jun a threat, but even the Queen Mother, who seems to be protecting the emperor, may be a potential enemy.
Faced with such a complicated situation, Xiao Yu decided to stand still for the time being and continue to investigate secretly. He believed that only by having more evidence could the truth be revealed at the right time, protect the young emperor, and maintain the rule of the Yan Dynasty.
At the same time, Xia Jun Wang Yin Zhan also seemed to be aware of the crisis. He began to quicken the pace of his actions, frequently gathering his subordinates to plan. The atmosphere in the DPRK and China is becoming increasingly tense, as if a great storm is coming.
At this critical juncture, Xiao Yu realized that he had to make a difficult choice. Will you cooperate with the Queen Mother against King Xia Jun, or will you take the risk of revealing all the truth? This choice is not only about his personal fate, but also about the future of the entire Yan Dynasty.
Fierce floods and savage beasts--great scourges
In the capital of the Yan Dynasty, an invisible storm is brewing. On the surface, everything is business as usual, the people in the market are still busy with their livelihoods, and the court officials are still working on state affairs. However, beneath this calm surface, a force capable of upending the entire dynasty is quietly gathering.
Xiao Yu stood on the cusp of the crisis and shouldered the heavy responsibility of saving the Yan Dynasty. He knew very well that once he made a mistake, not only would he be doomed, but the entire Yan Dynasty would also fall into turmoil. Under the guidance of his father, Xiao Yuhan, Xiao Yu began to carefully plan his plan.
First of all, Xiao Yu used his position in the court to secretly contact a group of ministers and generals loyal to the imperial family. He revealed part of the truth to these people, but carefully concealed the involvement of the Queen Mother. These ministers and generals became Xiao Yu's secret allies, providing strong support for future operations.
At the same time, Jiang Li was not idle. She used her connections among the people to collect all kinds of gossip. These seemingly inconsequential gossip, after Jiang Li's analysis and collation, actually sketched an astonishing picture: Yin Zhan, the king of Xia County, was secretly mobilizing the army.
Wen Ji was responsible for monitoring the movements of the Xia County Palace. He took advantage of the convenience of the caravan to arrange eyeliner around the Xia County Palace, paying close attention to Yin Zhan's every move. Through these eyeliners, Wen Ji discovered that Yin Zhan often met with some mysterious people in the middle of the night, and these people were likely to be members of the "Tianji Pavilion".
Just as Xiao Yu and the others were preparing intensively, an unexpected event disrupted everyone's plans. Emperor Hong Xiao suddenly fell seriously ill and was bedridden. The Empress Dowager began to intervene in court politics on the pretext of taking care of the emperor. And Yin Zhan, the king of Xia County, took the opportunity to propose that he temporarily handle government affairs on behalf of the emperor.
The DPRK and China immediately fell into chaos. The ministers who supported the Queen Mother believed that the Queen Mother should listen to the government; Another group of ministers supported the Xia Junwang as the acting ruler of the dynasty. The two sides were arguing, and the atmosphere in the court was tense.
Xiao Yu realized that this might be an elaborate conspiracy by King Xia Jun. He suspected that Emperor Hongxiao's sudden illness might be related to the "Tianji Pavilion". In order to find out the truth, Xiao Yu decided to take the risk of infiltrating the palace.
With Jiang Li's assistance, Xiao Yu successfully infiltrated the Tai Hospital, which was responsible for taking care of the emperor. He carefully examined the emperor's symptoms and medications, and found that Emperor Hong Xiao was most likely succumbed to a rare chronic poison. This poison comes from a strange flower in the south, which happens to be abundant in Yin Zhan's fiefdom.
Xiao Yu immediately set about preparing the antidote, and at the same time sent someone to secretly protect the emperor's safety. However, at this critical moment, the Queen Mother suddenly summoned Xiao Yu.
In the queen mother's bedroom, Xiao Yu faced this woman who leaned towards the government and the opposition, and her heart was full of vigilance. The Queen Mother got straight to the point and directly asked Xiao Yu if she knew about the existence of "Tianji Pavilion". Faced with this direct question, Xiao Yu had to admit that he already knew some inside information.
To Xiao Yu's surprise, the Queen Mother did not show hostility. Instead, she revealed to Xiao Yu that her original intention in joining the "Tianji Pavilion" was to protect the young Emperor Hong Xiao. However, as time went on, she discovered that the real purpose of the "Tianji Pavilion" was not to assist the Ming Emperor, but to overthrow the entire Yan Dynasty.
The Queen Mother confessed that she had decided to betray the "Tianji Pavilion", but she needed Xiao Yu's help. She proposed to join forces with Xiao Yu to fight against King Xia Jun and the "Tianji Pavilion".
Faced with the Queen Mother's proposal, Xiao Yu was in a dilemma. He didn't know whether he should believe the Queen Mother's words, after all, she was also a member of the "Tianji Pavilion". But if they reject the Queen Mother's offer, they may lose a powerful ally.
Just when Xiao Yu hesitated, there was a sudden commotion outside the palace. It turned out that Yin Zhan, the king of Xia County, led a large army to surround the palace, claiming to eliminate the "traitorous villains" and maintain the imperial power.
The situation was critical, and Xiao Yu had to make a decision. He chose to trust the Queen Mother for the time being and joined forces with her to fight against King Xia Jun. Xiao Yu quickly sent someone to inform Wen Ji and Jiang Li to activate the emergency plan that had been prepared long ago.
Fumiki immediately mobilized the caravan guards he had secretly prepared, and these people were actually elite soldiers. They broke through from all over the city and launched a surprise attack on the army of King Xiajun.
Jiang Li used her influence among the people to spread rumors that King Xia Jun intended to rebel. The news spread like a wildfire in the capital, causing panic and commotion among the people.
At the same time, Xiao Yu united with the Empress Dowager and gathered the palace guards. They opened the palace gate, joined forces with Wenji's troops, and launched a fierce attack on the army of King Xiajun.
The battle lasted a whole day and a night. Although the army of King Xia Junjun was numerous, due to the hasty preparation and the sudden internal and external attack, it gradually fell into a disadvantage. By dawn the next day, King Xiajun's army finally collapsed.
Yin Zhan saw that the general trend had gone and tried to escape from the capital. However, as soon as he walked out of the city gate, he was intercepted by Xiao Yuhan, who had already been ambushed there. When father and son met, Yin Zhan finally recognized his failure.
With the arrest of King Xia Jun, other members of the "Tianji Pavilion" were also arrested one after another. Xiao Yu finally found out the truth about his parents: it turned out that his mother Yu Hongye was also a member of the "Tianji Pavilion" in her early years, but later discovered the true face of the organization and decided to quit. "Tianji Pavilion" killed people and killed people, which led to the tragic death of Yu Hongye and the disappearance of Xiao Yuhan.
Emperor Hong Xiao finally recovered after taking the antidote prepared by Xiao Yu.