A Crane’s Cry in Chang’An

Jiang Li grew up in poverty and was fortunately taken in as an adopted daughter by Guang’an Earl for stability. She was extraordinarily beautiful and skilled in the arts of medicine. At thirteen, she became famous in Chang’an. Later, she married the Prince of Jiangling County, becoming his wife as destined. However, tragedy struck at the age of fifteen – a plague ravaged Chang’an, and on New Year’s Eve, the Crown Prince died of illness. Due to Guang’an Earl Wei Jie’s inadequate treatment as the Chief Physician at the time, he fell from grace and was imprisoned. Unexpectedly, Jiang Li’s truthful testimony became crucial evidence, leading to Wei’s family being executed. Due to her act of justice against her own family, Jiang Li not only escaped punishment but was also granted marriage by imperial decree. For a while, the people condemned her for repaying kindness with enmity, cursing her to an ill-fated end – until she died in a three-day fire at the Fengshen Jile Pavilion. Five years later, as the pavilion was rebuilt, the unrighteous Jiang Li had been forgotten in the capital, while Xue Ling, the long-lost daughter of the East River Xue family, returned to Chang’an. Kidnapped in her youth, Xue Ling was later adopted by a medical family in the martial world, gaining fame three years ago for reviving the leader of the Liedao Gate after seven days of death. Amidst frequent mysterious incidents in Chang’an, Xue Ling’s ability to both save lives and investigate deaths brought her both fame and trouble. Within three days of her return home, the general’s mansion became embroiled in a major case. Within two months of her return, the young marquis was exposed and exiled. Within half a year of her return, the position of the East Palace heir was about to be abolished. Xue Ling watched the chaos in Chang’an, unaware that someone was targeting her. Surprisingly, that person was Pei Yan, a prominent figure in the capital. Xue Ling was furious: “You are Jiang Li’s archenemy, what business do you have with me, Xue Ling?” Many years later, Jiang Li wrote in a letter to her old friend: “In this life, I have no regrets. I owe much to Pei Yan. Only by surviving can I make up for everything.”