DuringhistimeasCrownPrinceofXianle,XieLianwasattheforefrontoftheLanternFestivalHeavenlyProcession,aneventtocelebratetheheavensandsymbolizethenation'speaceandprosperity.However,theperformancewassuddenlycutshortwhenXieLianbrokecharactertosaveachildfallingoffthepalacewalls.Book2isset800yearsbeforethethirdascension,anddepictsXieLian'stimeasthebelovedCrownPrincewithhisclosestsubordinatesFengXinandMuQingstillbyhisside.Yetonceheascendstogodhood,thecivilwarandHumanFaceDiseaseareboundtobringruintohiskingdom.