A loyal, sincere, restrained young duke x a cool, straightforward, scheming princess
One spring day, someone’s heart was stirred.
But she was disguised as a man and knew she shouldn’t let herself fall. She’d heard that he had someone he loved, so she hid her feelings deep inside.
After her parents died, she went south to mourn them. Six years passed in a flash, and she thought their paths would never cross again.
An imperial decree summoned her to sit the civil service examination. She placed third, then married him. Day and night, she restrained the feelings stirring inside her, yet couldn’t help offering him words of care.
When she was heartbroken, Zhou Qi wiped away her tears and took care of everything.
When others criticized her, Zhou Qi stood in front of her and argued back on her behalf.
When she was hurt, Zhou Qi took thirty blows of the rod. He would rather anger the emperor than let her suffer without retribution.
…
Later, Song Wanqing fell in love and wanted to return Zhou Qi’s feelings, only to discover that he was avoiding her, afraid to face her.
Not until she lay there battered and bruised, the bandages beneath her undershirt soaked through with blood.
She said, “At dusk, the spring hills turn green; my heart is clear and pure.”
The beating of a heart and tears spilling from her eyes had long since betrayed the person whose words said one thing and whose heart felt another.
Finished reading, good, good, good
Very nice 👍