When I married Gu Jingxiao, he was a notorious playboy in the capital.
The Gu family had once produced a chancellor, but their fortunes later declined. These days, Gu Jingxiao held little more than a sinecure in the capital.
He was a gifted writer with a handsome face. Though his reputation as a flirt was well known, plenty of noblewomen still admired him.
When I first heard of him, he had been cornered in a brothel by the Xie family's third young lady. A scarlet mandarin-duck apron hung from his belt, making him the laughingstock of the entire capital.
The Third Miss Xie was so embarrassed and enraged that she turned around and married her cousin.
One of his friends teased him, "Jingxiao, Miss Xie is as lovely as a water lily, with a face of exquisite beauty. You've just lost a wonderful match!"
Gu Jingxiao waved his fan, looking amused. "So young, and already so jealous. If I'd married her, there'd be no peace at home."
From then on, Miss Xie's reputation for jealousy spread far and wide.
His friend went on, "Then which lady in the capital do you think is worthy of you, Brother Jingxiao?"
Gu Jingxiao fell silent for a moment, then put on a solemn air. "It must be Zhou Miaofu, Grand Tutor Zhou's granddaughter."
As luck would have it, I'm Zhou Miaofu.
Theme: Love helps people grow
