A new-money heiress pretending to be harmless, and a proper, old-fashioned heir from an established family
Ling Hansu is the disowned daughter of a nouveau riche family, raised at their country estate. When the emperor issues an edict to curb the power of the great clans, she is married into the Chu family, a clan with a history stretching back a century.
Everyone says she's lucky.
And she is. Her husband is as handsome as Pan An, a man of outstanding refinement, and he's often away from home. Her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law look down on her humble background and want nothing to do with her. With no one to keep her in check, and money and free time to spare, isn't this better than life at the estate?
So Ling Hansu does her best to fulfill her duties as a nobleman's wife.
In front of her husband, Ling Hansu is obedient and gentle, dignified and proper, always lowering her eyes and never stepping out of line. Not a single fault can be found in her.
Everyone assumes that Ling Hansu, with her lowly family background, suffers in private. The truth is quite different.
The laws of this dynasty are strict: before marriage, a woman belongs to her father. Only after divorce can she establish a household of her own.
She married Chu Qinghui so she could divorce him and establish an independent household.
Chu Qinghui is the distinguished young master of a family with a century of history, peerless in the world.
He sees his wife as another victim of this imperial marriage. What is there for him to hold against her?
His wife is considerate and gentle, the household is peaceful, and she takes good care of him. Though they share no deep affection, they get along like respectful partners. He stops being so distant and tries to grow closer to her, only to hear her at a banquet one day:
"He's so old-fashioned. Who could stand it? Between him and me, it's all just an act."
He has never heard her voice sound so relaxed and carefree.
Only then does he realize that Ling Hansu's cautiousness is an act, and so is her gentle, demure manner.
The first time he sees her smile, she is radiant and captivating.
After that, Chu Qinghui acts completely out of character and stops being so gentle and proper.
He wants to be part of Ling Hansu's life.
But his wife has everything so carefully arranged that Chu Qinghui can't find an opening.
At last, one day, he discovers a secret and gets a chance to grow closer to Ling Hansu.
*
A Little Scene
As usual, Ling Hansu brings a late-night snack to the study. She sets down the food box and turns to leave.
"Stop."
She obeys, stopping in her tracks. When she turns around, she lowers her eyes out of habit. "Does Third Master have another instruction?"
Chu Qinghui rises and walks over, until his shadow completely covers Ling Hansu.
He raises a hand and strokes her cheek with his fingertips. The intimate gesture makes Ling Hansu tremble.
"After acting for so long, can you still tell the difference between acting and reality?"
Ling Hansu's pupils contract. A hint of genuine shock appears beneath the usually gentle mask on her face.
Chu Qinghui knows she's been pretending. He's going to take revenge on her.
And sure enough, one day...
Ling Hansu is tending wildflowers in a corner of the courtyard, a little nook that belongs to her alone.
But she notices some exquisite tools and seedlings nearby, and Chu Qinghui has even brought her seedlings from the Western Regions himself.
Ling Hansu keeps up her gentle expression. "Third Master is busy. How could I trouble you with such a small matter?"
Chu Qinghui seems completely absorbed. "If it matters to you, it's no small matter. I've had someone bring some fertilizer, and we can put up a little shed beside it. Then it'll be convenient to grow shade-loving plants in the future."
Ling Hansu's heart tightens.
He hasn't just come here, he's planning to take over her territory! He really has come to get back at her!
Never mind. It's his courtyard anyway. She can give it back to him.
Mountains may crumble, and people may run away. Better to get out early.
Chu Qinghui cries foul.
He's not here to take over her territory.
He's here to ask for peace.
#IActedSoWellHeBelievedIt
Theme: If only I could shine bright and clear like the moon, I'd brave the ice and snow to bring you warmth.
