Two days from now, she would marry into the Duke of Wei's household. She was the eldest princess's granddaughter and the orphaned daughter of the former crown prince, found nine years ago.
A sudden downpour stranded them in an ancient pavilion shrouded in mist and rain.
Shen Shiying removed her veil, revealing the imperfect little birthmarks on her snow-white neck. Her maid chattered beside her: "Word in the capital is that Prince Liang is a wastrel! If you do this, malicious people will say you're meeting a man in secret!"
Rain ran down his hair and dripped all over his face. Shen Shiying took out a handkerchief she had never used before and offered it without a second thought. "Wipe yourself off? Don't catch a chill."
Beyond the curtain of rain stood a figure as lovely as a painting, with cheeks pale as snow and features like a portrait. Ink-black hair fell over robes of pale green silk.
Yin Huaidu had been drinking with a group of young noblemen who had been hawking and practicing archery, and had missed the time to return to the city. By some strange twist of fate, he had taken shelter in this ancient pavilion. He froze in surprise.
Clear as a spring bubbling over stone, the sound seemed to seep into one's bones.
Before leaving, Yin Huaidu left his cloak with this "beauty in a painting" and said, "This is an imperial gift. Return it to me another day. We have plenty of time ahead of us."
"Who are you?"
He walked alone into the rain, his brocade robe billowing in the wind. Then he mounted his silver-saddled steed and smiled. "My name is Yin Huaidu."
As the rain pattered on, she held the precious burden in her hands. In the end, the two of them truly did have many years ahead of them.
"Why did you marry me?"
"Love at first sight!"
"Why did you marry me?"
"Well, I wanted a different kind of life!"
On their wedding night, he took up a brush and painted a cherry as red as fire for her, leaving a single, exquisite mark, red as a garnet. Then he gave a sly smile. "There is a beauty in the capital, the finest fruit of all: my wife, Shiying."
One day, Prince Liang and the heir of the Duke of Wei ran into each other in a busy street. Facing the heir's furious glare over the theft of his bride, Yin Huaidu narrowed his eyes. "So you're the one who gave those snacks meant for my wife to someone else?" He turned to his servant. "Go! Buy ten boxes for my wife!" The servant hurried off, but the more Prince Liang thought about it, the angrier he got. "Come back! My wife doesn't even want them! Go! Buy the whole Gaohua Tower!"
Another day, Prince Liang's consort let a wolf into their home. Yin Huaidu asked, "My lady! Is this lovely night treating you well?"
A word from the author:
Shen Shiying: My husband has broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a lean, strong build, good looks, money, and he'll always take my side. I chose the right husband.
Yin Huaidu: My wife has two different personas, and she has me wrapped around her finger. That's what I get for being a doting husband.
Loving your wife is the best kind of fortune.
Theme: Keep facing the sun as you wait for flowers to bloom
