In the sixth year of their marriage, their love had faded.
The vast gulf between their families' status, the endless chores at home, and their frequent time apart gradually wore away more than a decade of affection.
During their last argument, he rubbed his brow, clearly impatient. "I'm exhausted. We've argued and made up, then argued again, for years. I'm really tired... Why have you become like this?"
He paused. "Yuntan, maybe we were never right for each other."
Her mind was in a haze. It took her a long time to react, and then she packed her things without a word, eyes red.
The moon was full that night. He led her horse and escorted her to her parents' home.
Moonlight spilled across their shoulders as they walked in silence.
Before they parted, he pressed his lips together and said, "Let's live apart for a while."
She lowered her eyes and answered softly, "Okay."
After a long silence,
he spoke again, his voice rough. "I'm going back to Beichuan tomorrow. Please look after Zhen'er for now. I'll keep sending you money each month, and if you need anything, write to me. You can stay at your parents' place or wherever you like. Don't worry about my mother and the others. I'll say you went home because you missed your father. And you... take care of yourself."
The moonlight stretched his silhouette into a long, faint shadow, and she couldn't help remembering ten years ago.
Ten years ago, beside the Lishui River, the moonlight had also been as white as snow, and they had parted ways then too.
They walked side by side along the riverbank.
Full of ambition, he said, "Tangtang, wait for me to come back and marry you!"
He was a favored son of heaven, a bold and carefree young general, and first in line to inherit the title of Marquis of Wu. She knew the gap between their families was too great and that she wasn't worthy of him. His relatives also opposed him marrying below his station.
She wanted to give up, but he said, "Once I've earned enough military merit, I'll ask His Majesty to grant us a marriage."
Back then, she had smiled and replied, "I'll wait for you."
He asked cautiously, "It might take two or three years. Can you wait that long?"
"I can!" She nodded hard. "I can!"
But now,
how could the same moon shine on two hearts still alike, yet unable to meet?
*
Content warnings:
1. Both leads have only been with each other, and they have a son.
2. Childhood sweethearts, reconciliation after a breakup, bittersweet romance. There's a reason they live apart.
3. The female lead's family only rose to become officials in the capital in her father's generation. Before that, they were a modestly prominent scholarly family in the provinces, with few relatives. The male lead's family was a founding dynasty's meritorious clan, a great family that had flourished for generations, with a somewhat larger household.
4. An alternate history with extensive fictional details.
5. When the male lead says "live apart for a while," he means they should both cool off and think things through. They will ultimately stay together. The female lead thinks it means a separation period before divorce.
Theme: Love yourself first, then love others
