A Magpie Cherished on a Branch

Su Zique has a secret: she is afraid of getting too close to men. Though she is a skilled doctor, even a doctor cannot heal herself.

Though past the age when a woman is expected to marry, she is afraid of getting married. To escape the court's forced matchmaking, she disguises herself as a man, but is exposed on the spot. Trembling, she points to the county magistrate on the street, whom she once saved. "He's my husband."

Yan Wenqing looks at her innocently. "I... am I supposed to have a wife?"

But at home, the two are neighbors in name only. They even communicate through a speaking tube, and ring a bell when they need something.

Everyone knows that the newly appointed county magistrate has married a pretty ornament who won't even let him touch her hand. Many women have set their sights on Yan Wenqing, who is accomplished in both scholarly and martial arts, and the prefect values him so highly that he wants him as a son-in-law.

Afraid the magistrate might take a woman who throws herself at him and abandon her, Su Zique secretly schemes to send her away. Yan Wenqing realizes what she has done and playfully taps her head with a twig. "You little girl, so you want to keep the title of principal wife all to yourself?"

Su Zique knows she's in the wrong. "Don't say such nonsense. I was afraid it would interfere with your official duties, sir."

Yan Wenqing had entrusted his heart to her from the moment she saved him, but his wife in name kept pushing him away.

Knowing about her condition and circumstances, he deliberately appeared on the street that day and made sure she saw him, gambling on fate.

Knowing she was unguarded only when practicing medicine, he deliberately got injured each time, giving himself an excuse to get close to her.

One day, Su Zique helped the man, pretending to be drunk, back to his room. Looking at her gentle, sleeping husband, she found herself kissing his face. Blushing, she smacked her lips. "So my husband tastes sweet."

Yan Wenqing smiled, pulled her into his arms, and wiped the candy crumbs from the corner of her mouth. "Little girl, who's sweeter, me or candied hawthorn?"

Later, people said that the county magistrate had married a lovely beauty while on official business in the capital. Su Zique was also forcibly promised in marriage by a marquis she had never met. But when she tried to run away, an eight-man bridal sedan blocked her path, and a group of guards bowed and called her the marquis's wife.

Su Zique: "I'd rather die than marry!"

Yan Wenqing approached with a smile. "It's too late for you to back out now, my lady."

Theme: Keep hoping, and you'll find a light that belongs to you.