Du Sidi, the third young lady of the Du family, has a graceful, lovely face. From childhood, she was well-read, gentle, and refined, and every gesture and smile of hers showed her virtue and propriety. She is the model young lady of a distinguished family in the capital. The husband of her dreams is a refined gentleman, one who has polished his character through study. Fei Qichi, the young master of the Fei family, has earned glorious military honors and holds a second-rank official post, but he is also one of the capital's most notorious playboys. The wife of his dreams is... no wife at all, so he can keep chasing fun.
When their parents told them that the two families intended to arrange a marriage, the two of them, each in their own household, cried out in unison, "What!?"
.
Fei Qichi has been troubled lately. He has fallen in love at first sight with a young woman. For a well-born playboy with a handsome face like him, that would hardly be strange, except that he is engaged to the third young lady of the Du family, whose father is the Censor-in-Chief. And so he is troubled.
Du Sidi has also been troubled lately. She has fallen in love with a young gentleman after getting to know him over time. For a proper young lady of a distinguished family, one with the graceful talent of a poet, this is quite a predicament. What's more, she is engaged to the young master of the Fei family, whose father is the Grand Marshal. So she is very troubled.
"Sigh..."
The two of them, in their respective households, sighed in unison, lamenting how fate played tricks on people.
.
"Please forgive my boldness. Though I am already engaged, I still admire you and have fallen for you. I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. May I ask your name, young lady?"
On the eve of his engagement, having endured enough lovesickness, Fei Qichi finally summoned the courage to ask the woman he loved. He had already imagined a hundred and eight different scenes of himself returning home and arguing fiercely with his old man, when he heard her ask, with a hint of shyness and confusion:
"I am Du Sidi, the third daughter of Censor Du. May I ask who you are, young master?"
"...Fei Qichi, the legitimate son of Grand Marshal Fei."
"..."
-
[Everyone knows the young master and young mistress are courting, except the two people involved.]
[Fei Qichi: Do you think I need a wife? Hm, my wife's cooking sure is delicious.]
Theme: Everyone knows the young master and young mistress are courting, except the two people involved.