The hereditary lords of the Ji clan joined forces to destroy the state of Hui, ruled by a lord of another surname. Meng Jiang, daughter of the Duke of Hui, was sent to Cheng, the chief architect of Hui's destruction, as a gift to show their desire for peace and submission.
The Marquis of Cheng had no interest in her. "Keep her in the harem. Just make sure she doesn't die."
When a young nobleman coveted her, the marquis casually promised, "If you really like her, I will give her to you as a concubine."
One year later.
The Marquis of Cheng manipulated the political situation and, with a few deft moves, forced Meng Jiang to stand in front of his horse, kneel by his legs, and demand to know what he wanted from her.
She even tearfully reached for his sash.
But he caught her hand.
Four years later.
The Marquis of Cheng helped the Son of Heaven restore order after a rebellion and, along the way, captured the wife of the Marquis of Wen. By tradition, since she had married into Wen, her name should now be Wen Jiang.
The soldiers had all heard the old stories from the Cheng palace. They said the Marquis of Cheng had cherished and loved Wen Jiang, and had helped her restore her state out of admiration for her noble ideals and fearless courage. Yet Wen Jiang had shown no gratitude and had turned around and married into Wen. What a heartless, ungrateful woman.
The Marquis of Cheng told his subordinates, "Meng Jiang is the wife of the Marquis of Wen and must be treated as an honored guest of Cheng. Meng Jiang restored her state by her own efforts. I have nothing but respect and admiration for her. Where would love come into it? Do not spread rumors or make wild claims."
The truth of the old quarrel was impossible for outsiders to discern. All they could do was marvel at how the ruler had been a true gentleman, openhearted and honorable, for years on end.
Yet whenever palace attendants rose in the middle of the night, they could hear soft, broken sobs coming from Meng Jiang's tent. Soon afterward, they would see the ruler emerge, impeccably dressed.
And the attendants knew this: five years ago, Meng Jiang had already been betrothed to the Marquis of Wen. It was the ruler who had forced his way between them and separated the two.
Theme: Keep striving every day
