The Capital's Most Beautiful Sickly Man

The gongs and drums for the new top scorer's parade thundered through the streets. Through the carved window lattice, Shen Qingci watched the figure outside, dressed in bright silk and astride a fine horse, and found the noise inexplicably irritating.

She was the famously beautiful invalid of the capital, needing to rest three times over a single cup of tea. For more than a decade, herbal medicine and the fragrance of golden-thread nanmu had filled her days.

Her engagement to Gu Yanzhi, the prime minister's heir, was the envy of everyone in the capital. Childhood sweethearts, well-matched families, a talented man and a beautiful woman.

But she never expected that one fleeting glance that day would become the beginning of a tribulation that would last half her life.

Lu Zhiheng, the new top scorer, was a poor scholar who had clawed his way out of a remote backwater. He had an unyielding spirit and eyes full of sharp ambition.

On the imperial avenue, he rode a tall horse and accepted the people's worship, yet his gaze pierced through the crowd and fell straight upon the blue-curtained carriage passing by.

The wind lifted one corner of the curtain, revealing Shen Qingci's pale face and eyes as faint as an ink painting.

With that single glance, Lu Zhiheng lost himself.

In the Golden Hall, the emperor smiled as he bestowed countless rewards. Amid the officials' congratulations, Lu Zhiheng suddenly dropped to his knees and declared, "Your Majesty, I ask for nothing else. I only beg you to grant me a marriage decree. I wish to take Shen Qingci, the Shen family's legitimate daughter, as my wife!"

The whole hall erupted in commotion.

The smile froze on the emperor's face. His fingers paused on his prayer beads. After a long moment, he sighed. "Minister Lu, the Shen family and the heir Gu are already betrothed. They grew up together and share deep affection. I'm afraid this would be inappropriate. There are still several talented and beautiful princesses and commandery princesses in my palace. Perhaps you might..."

"I will marry no one but Miss Shen." Lu Zhiheng raised his eyes, a few traces of obsessive madness hidden in them. "Your Majesty, she is the only thing I seek in this life."

The emperor looked troubled, but in the end he politely refused.

As Lu Zhiheng thanked the emperor and withdrew, his back stayed ramrod straight. But his gaze at Gu Yanzhi was as cold as ice.

He remembered the humiliation, and he remembered the tender look in Gu Yanzhi's eyes whenever he looked at Shen Qingci.

Three months later, Shen Qingci married into the prime minister's residence, wearing her phoenix coronet and red wedding robes.

The red candles flickered. Gu Yanzhi took her hand and said softly, "Qingci, from now on, I'll be here. I will protect you and give you a peaceful life."

Shen Qingci looked at his gentle features and gave a slight nod. At last, a little color returned to her pale face.

She thought this was the beginning of a peaceful life.

But she forgot that within the capital's red walls, life was not all romance and flowers.

Lu Zhiheng entered the Hanlin Academy. With his talent, he rose steadily through the ranks, becoming one of the emperor's favorites in just two years.

He was ruthless in his work and fierce in his methods. Gradually, he gained enough influence at court to stand against the prime minister.

At last, on a snowy night, thunder crashed.

The memorial Lu Zhiheng presented laid out irrefutable evidence that the prime minister had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. The emperor flew into a rage and issued an edict: the entire prime minister's household was to be confiscated, Gu Yanzhi was imprisoned, and he was sentenced to execution after the autumn review.

In a single night, the world turned upside down.

Shen Qingci knelt in the snow for three days and nights. Her knees were rubbed raw, her throat hoarse from crying, yet she couldn't even see Gu Yanzhi.

Only when Lu Zhiheng came treading through the snow did he appear. Snow covered his dark official robes. He stood before her and looked down at her, his tone calm but unyielding. "Shen Qingci, beg me."

Shen Qingci raised her head and looked at him through tear-blurred eyes, hatred filling her gaze. "You... You ruined the prime minister's household and destroyed Yanzhi!"

"So what if I did?" Lu Zhiheng crouched down and gently brushed his fingers over her purple, frostbitten cheek. His touch held a hint of tenderness.

"All I've ever wanted is you. If you come with me, Gu Yanzhi can live."

He paused, then added, "He can not only live, but leave the capital safely and live out his days in peace under another name."

Shen Qingci trembled all over.

She knew Lu Zhiheng did what he said. He had the power, and the ruthless heart, to make it happen.

For Gu Yanzhi's sake, she had no choice.

The moment she nodded, an almost obsessive smile finally spread through Lu Zhiheng's eyes.

She moved into Lu Zhiheng's residence and became his wife, but never once showed him the slightest smile.

She remained sickly, forever taking medicine, while the light in her eyes gradually faded.

Lu Zhiheng treated her very well. The finest medicines in the capital poured into his residence, and the storerooms filled with rare tonics. For her sake, he even turned down every social engagement, staying by her side day after day, reading medical books with her, basking in the sun with her, and keeping her company as she drank those bitter concoctions.

He would stubbornly hold her hand and say again and again, "Qingci, I'll treat you well, so well that you'll forget Gu Yanzhi."

Shen Qingci always remained silent.

She thought she would hate him for the rest of her life.

Until one day, she caught a chill and came down with a fever that wouldn't break. She remained unconscious for three days and nights.

When she woke, the first thing she saw was Lu Zhiheng beside her bed, his eyes bloodshot and stubble darkening his chin. He looked utterly worn out.

He clutched her hand tightly, his voice hoarse. "Qingci, you're awake. If you hadn't woken up, I would've torn apart the entire Imperial Medical Academy."

At that moment, Shen Qingci's heart stirred, just a little.

As the days passed, Lu Zhiheng's kindness was like a frog slowly boiling in warm water, seeping bit by bit into her long-numb heart.

He remembered all her likes and dislikes. When she coughed badly, he awkwardly patted her back. On nights she couldn't sleep, he softly told her about the hardships of his youth.

He said, "I used to think that fame, wealth, and power over the court were the ultimate goals in life. It wasn't until I saw you on the imperial avenue that I understood. All the splendor and riches in the world are worth less than one glance from you."

Shen Qingci listened in silence. Without realizing it, the ice around her heart slowly melted.

Later, she received a letter from Gu Yanzhi.

He wrote that he was doing well in Jiangnan, had married a gentle woman, and had a son and a daughter. His days were peaceful and steady. He also said she need not worry about him, and that they should each live well.

Shen Qingci held the letter and silently let her tears fall.

This time, it wasn't from sorrow, but from relief.

As the sun set, Lu Zhiheng gently embraced her from behind, resting his chin on the crown of her head. His voice was impossibly tender. "Qingci, I'll be with you from now on."

Shen Qingci didn't turn around, but softly replied, "Mm."

The evening breeze swept through the courtyard, lifting the fallen flowers and scattering the grudges and entanglements of the past.

In the end, no matter how long the years might stretch, they could not rival one man's deep and obsessive love, guarding her for half a lifetime.

Theme: The one you love lies beyond mountains and seas, yet those mountains and seas cannot be crossed