A Thought in an Empty Courtyard

Ji Yunqing was born a concubine’s daughter. Her father never cared for her and her mother never loved her, but she did her best to grow up with the little kindness her grandmother could offer.

Qin Shuozheng was adopted by his maternal uncle and aunt. Having seen nothing but hypocrisy and coldness in their false-hearted household, he grew up brooding and ruthless.

The two, who would otherwise never have crossed paths, were brought together by an imperial decree.

On their wedding night, rumors spread:

“Have you heard? General Qin left his new bride behind last night and spent the night at Xiangyi House.”

Beneath her lowered red veil, the phoenix crown pinched her forehead. Ji Yunqing sat quietly, waiting from dusk until the first light of dawn, alone for an entire night.

It didn’t matter. She had never wanted a life devoted to serving a husband and raising children. Since they had no affection for each other, they could simply treat each other with respect and stay out of one another’s way.

She wanted to pursue a wider world.

The next day, news came of her grandmother’s death...

Her father pointed at her and called her a bringer of bad luck, while her half-sister mocked her behind her back for failing to keep a man.

Ji Yunqing still pretended not to hear.

“Only by standing on my own feet can I leave all this trouble behind.”

That was how she made it through countless days and nights.

Until one day...

Someone quietly said to her,

“Why should you be the one to leave? Those who make you miserable... shouldn’t be alive in this world!”

Marriage Before Love, HE