Romance of Red Dust

Hongfu, a beautiful and intelligent maiden dressed in red, is also a highly-skilled martial artist serving as a courtesan to Yang Su, the war minister of the Sui dynasty. Dugu Cheng was Hongfu's first love but he had betrayed her when he presented her to Yang Su, to whom she had lost her virginity, and Hongfu had never forgiven Dugu Cheng.

When Yang Su is recruiting talents to serve under him, Li Jing comes for the trials and passes them, gaining Hongfu's admiration. When Yang Su sees that Hongfu has affections for Li Jing, he orders her to assassinate Li Jing. However, Hongfu refuses to kill Li Jing and instead helps him escape, turning against Yang Su. The two of them gradually fall in love as they evade Dugu Cheng and Baoqin, who have been sent by Yang Su to hunt them down and kill them.

Hongfu and Li Jing meet Qiuranke, who becomes sworn siblings with Hongfu despite having slight romantic feelings for her. On their way to join the Wagang rebels, they encounter Dugu Cheng and Baoqin, and both sides clash. Li Jing and Hongfu fall off a cliff into a river during the fight. Li Jing is swept away by the current but saved by Pingyang, who is romantically attracted to him. Meanwhile, Hongfu is saved by a fisherman and later encounters Pingyang's brother, Li Shimin.

Li Jing and Hongfu are bound to go through tests of their love before they eventually get together.

• (in Chinese) Romance of Red Dust on Sina.com