Crown Prince Song Qi of Tianxiu has suffered from chronic insomnia since childhood. Through the long, restless nights, only the clear, gentle songs of Luo He, daughter of the Imperial Preceptor, can soothe the turmoil in his heart and let him sleep peacefully.
To hold on to this one-of-a-kind comfort, Song Qi turns to his third sister, Song Ning, and begs her to ask the Empress Dowager to appoint Luo He as the princess’s study companion. The two are then able to spend their days together.
Deep within the palace, the sleepless Crown Prince Song Qi, the cautious and gifted singer Luo He, the gentle and kindhearted Princess Song Ning, Ren Ling’er, the spirited orphan of the mighty General Weiyuan, and the cool, noble young general Murong Ce, equally accomplished in both letters and arms, become close friends.
As they spend their days together, Song Ning and Murong Ce fall deeply in love and marry, while the bond between all five grows unbreakable.
With war fires blazing along the border, they ride side by side into battle, taking up arms to repel the enemy and defend their land. When natural disasters ravage the country, they go among the people, working on the front lines to provide relief and comfort the populace.
On their young, slender shoulders, they bear the security of the countless people of Tianxiu.
War and hardship wear away Song Qi’s youthful fragility. The crown prince who once lay awake night after night sheds his boyishness and grows into a worthy heir, with the realm in his heart and the strength to shoulder great responsibility.
When he ascends the throne and takes charge of the vast realm, he finally fulfills the feelings he has kept hidden in his heart since childhood, naming Luo He, who stayed by his side through countless lonely nights, empress. From then on, the realm is at peace, and they sleep side by side year after year.
It's been a long time since I've read a novel with such a slow narration.