First year, Princess Da Qian first meets the “gentleman,” a man of upright righteousness who upholds justice, and she sneers, “Fake gentleman.”

Second year, in the succession struggle, a single misstep costs the whole board, she closes her eyes and begs for death, and that man is the only one to step forward, risking his life and property to protect her and bring her back to the capital. She snorts lightly, “Still a gentleman, I guess.”

Fifth year, after a coup and her ascension as empress, she bestows him high office, generous salary, noble ladies and beauties, all of which he refuses. She furrows her brow slightly, “Indeed a gentleman.”

Tenth year, she wakes at dawn, her whole body aching, and she bites her teeth as she curses the person beside her, “What a pretender to a gentleman!”

…“Three things can make the empire great again: the sword, a humble minister, and Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism.” He says this to the empress.