She was the beloved daughter of a powerful minister who helped found the dynasty. Her three elder sisters had married princes or into illustrious families, and all enjoyed extraordinary wealth and honor.
Clever and sharp-witted, she defied convention. In the dark, corrupt world of officialdom, she glimpsed him from behind a curtain.
He was handsome and talented, but came from a fallen gentry family of the previous dynasty and had been forced to serve in a lowly post.
His heart already belonged to someone else. But she feigned illness to arrange a secret meeting, used fragrance to bewitch him, and secretly gifted him a rare incense from the Western Regions, bestowed by the emperor.
She even tempted him with her own status and all the wealth and splendor it could bring,
until at last he fell at her feet.
Yet even while the lingering fragrance still filled the air, and after the wedding candles had burned, a marriage did not always mean a lifetime of happiness.
The vast gulf between their status, the jealousy and gossip of those around them,
his lingering affection for his former love, and the complicated closeness between her and her brother-in-law, Prince Qi, Sima You…
All became ever-widening chasms between them, until they could no longer cross the distance that separated them.
Amid that wisp of intoxicating fragrance, could they ever return to the moment they first met, when that rare scent seemed to seal their lives together?
Theme: No matter the time, be honest with yourself and sincere with others.
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The emotions are both agonizing and moving, leaving a lingering and unforgettable impression.
Fei Ying's writing skills are beyond question.
After much back and forth, they finally confessed their feelings. In the Jiangnan region, on a spring day, what flowed between them was a sense of relief and a tender, enduring love. They could now hold each other's hands tightly and walk happily together for the rest of their lives. Regret was nothing more than a pile of misunderstandings. So cherish the person before you, and don't let them slip away.
I like this kind of writing that leaves a lasting impression.
It was a good experience, not a regret. Although the two were suspicious of each other and cautious before, they ultimately got through it together. Sima is so pitiful.
This is a great article... It definitely deserves a thumbs up!
They came because of its reputation and left satisfied.
Points awarded
A wonderful article; it leaves a lingering aftertaste.
Jia Wu was alright; historically, he wasn't a particularly bad person.