Scholar's Bones, Love's Ashes

Li Shishi, the top courtesan of the capital, sacrifices her body and blood to fund Zhao Jie's studies. Zhao Jie succeeds in the imperial exams, and the Emperor grants him a marriage to the Eldest Princess. However, Zhao Jie refuses the Princess's hand on the Golden Hall, instead marrying Li Shishi with a grand procession. Furious, the Princess frames Li Shishi, leading to her unjust death on the public dock, leaving Zhao Jie and their daughter, Zhao Nianian, to survive together. Only after the Princess is demoted for losing her virtue does Zhao Jie publicly declare his intention to marry her, revealing that this is merely the beginning of his revenge against the royal family.