Shen Duyue is the eldest daughter of the Shen family of Nanlin, but her father doesn't cherish her and her mother doesn't love her. At least she has an engagement everyone envies.
But a dream shattered everything. In it, her crown prince fiancé was caught in a passionate tryst with her cousin at her hairpin ceremony, making her the laughingstock of all Nanlin.
For the sake of her family, she endured the humiliation of marrying into the Eastern Palace, only to be demoted from wife to concubine and die miserably in the cold palace.
Zhang Min, the ever-refined and proper prime minister, disregarded all propriety and entered the palace to gather her remains. His eyes were lifeless as he said, "Yue-niang, your elder brother will take you home."
He had been the bright moon of her youth. He had taught her to read, taken her boating, taught her archery, and shared poetry and books with her. But the engagement had always reminded her not to cross the line.
Because of the bond between their families, she called him "Elder Brother."
When she awoke from the dream, she decided she would no longer marry into the Eastern Palace for her family's sake. As expected, disaster struck at her hairpin ceremony, but Shen Duyue was hiding behind a rockery, clinging to Zhang Min's arm. Her voice was seductive and pleading: "Elder Brother, would you like to take me away?"
Zhang Min took her slender, jade-like wrist and lowered his eyes to hide the desire in them.
–
After leaving Nanlin, Shen Duyue was cherished by Zhang Min as if she were a precious jewel.
He built her a tall pavilion, planted flowers and trees, and taught her how to navigate social affairs and read people's hearts.
But when others asked about their relationship, Zhang Min would answer with a gentle expression, "Though Yue-niang and I are married in name, to me she's no different from a younger sister."
Shen Duyue heard this and, without changing her expression, wrote a letter of separation. She said plainly that she didn't want to delay her elder brother's marriage, then slipped away without a word.
Looking at the empty pavilion after she had left, Zhang Min abandoned his former propriety and used every means at his disposal to imprison her there.
In the night, the clear sound of bells rang through the pavilion. Desire was hard to conceal in Zhang Min's expression, and his voice was hoarse. "Yue-niang, who could you want besides me?"
[Gentle, clear-minded noblewoman x Refined, devoted eldest son of a noble family]
Reading guide:
Both leads are gentle in temperament. No cheating, one couple from beginning to end.
Formerly titled Take Me, My Bright Moon
[Inspired on 2025.9.29]
Theme: Create a beautiful life
The Bright Moon Is Beyond Reach
The Expired Letter
After Marrying a Frail, Powerful Official
Back to My Tsundere Late Husband's Youth
My Adoptive Brother Is a Black Lotus
My Husband Suddenly Turned Cold
After Binding the Matchmaker System
Honey, Do You Want a Husband?
Luring the Heir
The Whole Sect Wants to Harm My Senior Brother
What Did My Cousin Ever Do to Deserve This?