Li Yi, a general and Pillar of State, was born into a distinguished family from the previous dynasty. Tragically, his entire family, loyal to the end, died unjustly.
Later, the new emperor personally promoted him. He distinguished himself in battle and held the power of life and death over others.
But no one knew that, while carrying the burden of his family's vendetta and living in obscurity and poverty, Li Yi had once taken the alias A Yi and hidden himself in a pleasure house. There, he became a young servant who spent every night by the bedside of a mute courtesan.
He helped her lift her skirts and wash her feet, listened to her play the qin and complain, and sat with her beneath the moon as she wordlessly shared her troubles.
Before he knew it, he had lost his heart and soul to her.
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A You was merely a courtesan skilled at playing the qin. Unable to speak, she could only express her innermost thoughts through its music.
Later, she devoted herself to becoming the mute concubine of Wen Siheng, a refined young master from a distinguished family.
He had once admired the moon and discussed music with her, as the wine flowed and spring warmth filled the air. But later, A You heard that the young master was about to marry, and that his bride would be a noblewoman of the Wang family.
That day, the household hosted a feast to welcome its guests.
Among them, she saw a man with narrow shoulders and a slender waist, his brows cold as blades. Yet the way he looked at her was as scorching as a blazing fire.
Unexpectedly, that very night, he entered her tent.
Li Yi gently lifted her chin. His eyes were dark, his emotions impossible to read.