The Moon Above the Eaves

/All kinds of melodrama, substitute male lead, and groveling-to-win-her-back tropes In the fourteenth year of the Jianzhao era, the old emperor died suddenly, the crown prince was deposed, and the seventh prince, born to a concubine, took the throne. Princess Heyun of Qingyang lost every one of her protectors overnight, falling from the heights to become a prisoner. Her husband, Xie Yan, on the other hand, rose to power on the strength of having helped the new emperor, becoming the Marquis of Yi'an, whose influence held sway over the court. Everyone knew the two had never gotten along. When the new emperor offered to dissolve their marriage, Xie Yan personally brought Heyun back to his residence. The world praised him for his deep devotion, but only Heyun knew he had brought her back so he could torment her more thoroughly. One night, after Heyun was once again tormented until she was barely conscious, she reached up through the haze to touch Xie Yan's face, calling him "Brother" with adoration. Xie Yan simply put on his clothes and left, showing no pity. He had always thought he hated Heyun. Until one day, a fire broke out in the courtyard where she was imprisoned. Xie Yan rushed into the flames like a madman, but found only a charred corpse and a letter that had not completely burned. It was a letter Yunyi had left for him. Xie Yan unfolded it with trembling hands. Its first line read: "Brother Xie Tan, it's been a long time." Xie Tan was the name of his late elder brother. Xie Yan thought Heyun was no more than a pet bird in the palm of his hand, locked away in his tower. In truth, she was the moon on the eaves, forever beyond his reach. Content warnings: Both leads loved other people. Happy ending, both leads are virgins. Theme: Treasure the present