The fires of war engulf the Republic of China, and Jiangnan’s dreams vanish. The childhood sweethearts who fell in love amid the misty rains of Gusu could never withstand the tyrannical forces of a turbulent age and the fate imposed by their family. The splendor of a century-old noble house was ultimately reduced to ash amid the raging flames of war. Su Qinghe, young master of the Su family, spent his life clinging to his ideals and deep affection, yet the chaos of the era forced him back at every turn. He betrayed his beloved, lost sight of his original ideals, failed to protect his family, and could not save his country. From youthful ambition to a lonely old age, from flourishing blooms to crumbling walls, every fixation, every love, every moment of glory was crushed by the times, leaving only ashes behind, bearing witness to the helplessness and tragic fate of life in a turbulent age.
This novel about the Republic of China has a calm structure, steady writing, and true emotions. It uses the misty Suzhou as the background. It blends family decline, power in troubled times, youthful ideals, and love, hate and obsession, and describes the involuntary pain and resilience in the stormy period of the Republic of China. The characters stand firm and their emotions are deeply rooted. There are no suspended routines or deliberate sensationalism. Every conflict is logical and every forbearance is heart-wrenching. The writing is restrained and tense, the atmosphere is rich without being overloaded, and the plot is compact without being procrastinating. It contains both the desolation of the decline of a noble family and the profound sadness of the long-lasting love between children. The more you read, the more you gain stamina. It is a rare heart-breaking masterpiece of an orthodox republican nation.