Ling Han has lived under the Ning family's roof since childhood. She has a doting older sister and a mistress of the house who loves to make things difficult for her. Most of the time, she can only use things other people have left over or thrown away. None of that matters. There is only one thing that truly belongs to her.
The young master from the Minister of Rites' residence next door brings her delicious food and fun things every day. She only hopes that once she comes of age, she'll be able to marry him.
But fate has other plans. Her sister's fiancé's family suffers a sudden calamity, falling into ruin overnight and leaving him gravely ill. Her sister cries for half a day, then hands the engagement over to Ling Han.
Looking at Qi Weishi's features, which bear a slight resemblance to the young master, and counting the lavish dowry he has brought, Ling Han takes on the responsibility of caring for him. She'll wait until he recovers, then discuss a divorce with him.
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Qi Weishi rises step by step to the highest ranks, becoming a powerful minister who holds the court in his grasp.
Everyone knows Qi Weishi as cold as a solitary moon, sinister and inscrutable. Now that he has risen to power, surely he would no longer be interested in a frail, lonely girl like her. He'd find another match sooner or later, and Ling Han hopes for that too.
But Ling Han cares for Qi Weishi devotedly for a long time, counting the days by pulling petals from flowers. Yet somehow, he never gets better. Whenever she brings up divorce, he coughs up blood without stopping.
But in bed at night, he hardly seems like a sickly man.
In the dim room, the man grips her waist, his eyes brimming with feverish desire. His hoarse voice falls by her ear. "I'm still not well, so please bear with me, my wife. Just a little longer."
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One year, the Minister of Rites' family is implicated in a criminal case, and the entire household is imprisoned.
Qi Weishi grips Ling Han's chin and turns her face toward him. With a cold smile, he says:
"Didn't you always want to marry into the Minister of Rites' family? Now I'm the Minister, and you're the Minister's wife. Are you satisfied?"
Another year later, her sister, now remarried, arrives at the Chancellor's residence with bags of gifts. She smiles at Ling Han, seated in the place of honor.
"Little sister, you're the Chancellor's wife now. Could you, for old times' sake, since the Ning family took you in and found you such a fine husband, arrange a promising position for your brother-in-law?"
(Blurb written on November 29, 2025)
Theme: Those who keep at it will succeed; those who keep going will reach their destination.
