[Childhood friends who are each a blade, a rugged general who bares his heart]
Shen Chunli had always believed that her sixteen years of growing up alongside Lu Chenzhou would lead to the surest happy ending in the capital. Then the imperial decree of betrothal came crashing down, and she finally understood: his tenderness was mere lip service, his promises empty, and he couldn’t even be bothered to offer an explanation.
He abandoned her at the lantern festival to protect the princess. The betrothal decree left her clinging to a promise that would never be kept. Lu Chenzhou’s good reputation had always been built on her suffering.
“I am no one’s fiancée. I am Shen Chunli.”
She left everything behind in the capital and returned to Jiangnan. Taking charge of the salt trade, she rose from a fallen young lady mocked as a “merchant’s daughter” to Boss Shen, who controlled the salt routes from north to south. She combed through old account books, brought down corrupt officials, and became her own source of strength.
And Gu Yanci, who had cherished her for eleven years, always stood behind her:
When someone insulted her, he said mildly, “Go on. I’m keeping track.” The whole room fell silent.
When she plunged into the world of business, he stayed by her side at the docks. He never pressured or disturbed her, only gave her confidence.
When she brought order to the chaos, he cut through every hesitation with a bold question: “How about we make a life together? I’m tough enough to wait.”
By the time Lu Chenzhou finally came to his senses, the pear trees of Jiangnan had already been moved, and there was no longer a place for him by Shen Chunli’s side. He dug up a pear tree and planted it in the capital, watching it day after day, hurting day after day. At last he understood: the woman he thought would wait for him forever had already gone to the person who deserved her.
When war broke out on the frontier, Shen Chunli rushed to Yanmen Pass, slammed down her account books, took charge of military supplies, and became a legend in a single battle. At the victory banquet, she chose Gu Yanci in front of everyone, her words ringing clear: “I don’t want to beat someone who doesn’t deserve me. I only want us to win together.”
At last, the pear blossoms bore fruit. Childhood sweethearts faded, old friends grew old, and her life became one of standing beside the right man, watching spring mountains blanketed in pear blossoms.
