A Debt of Tenderness

1. A frail, chronically ill Qinghe Junzhu appeared in Yongbei's Lingzhou City. She wore fur-lined cloaks year-round and lived with a hand warmer at her side, utterly out of place amid the vast desert sands. Everyone knew that Qinghe Junzhu suffered from a chilling illness. No matter how many famous doctors they searched out across the land, none could cure her. She was not expected to live more than two or three years. Whenever Luo Yun Zhao fell ill, she would be chilled to the bone, drenched in cold sweat, and tormented beyond endurance. Then, when her consciousness was fading, a warm hand suddenly clasped hers. A boy's worried voice called, "Sister." He was a remarkably warm human pillow. Before long, the adopted son of the prince's residence had become her cure for the cold. 2. Later, the Great Ying court fell into turmoil, and the Rongdi invaded Yongbei. The boy died amid the chaos, and everything that had happened between them became a wild dream. Three years later, the fighting had gradually subsided. With Prince Miao holding military power and wielding immense influence, while the weak and incompetent emperor became little more than a figurehead, the Great Ying dynasty had changed beyond recognition. To ensure the imperial clan's safety, Luo Yun Zhao was forced into a marriage alliance with Prince Miao's household. Outside the great hall, she saw the Prince Miao's heir. His features were elegant and refined, and he looked strikingly like the boy from years ago. He gazed at her coldly, proud and distant. In every way he resembled him, and yet in every way he did not. // "There's still a big debt between us to settle." He spoke against her ear, each word deliberate. // Note: The male and female leads are not family and are not blood-related. He only calls her "Sister." Early on: big sister and puppy Later, the male lead gradually turns ruthless and obsessive. Please don't start arguments or stir up drama in the comments. Thank you. Theme: All things arrive in their own time, and events follow their natural course.