Jiang Zheng's husband was caught up in a murder case while traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations. She journeyed thousands of miles to the capital, but had no idea how to clear his name.
At a loss, she thought of Song Yu, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet whose ancestral home, like hers, was in Jinyang.
Born into poverty, Song Yu had once been homeless with his family as a boy. Jiang Zheng's mother took them in, helping them survive the bitter winter.
Anxious, Jiang Zheng knocked on the Song residence's gate. When she met Song Yu, now a high-ranking official, she wasn't sure whether he would still remember that small kindness from years ago.
"Please, Lord Song, help me."
The refined, dignified young statesman was silent for a moment, then agreed. Seeing her alone and far from home, he also arranged for her to stay at an inn owned by a friend, where she was given the finest food, clothes, and comforts.
Jiang Zheng felt unworthy of such kindness.
Song Yu smiled faintly. "I have no way to repay your mother for taking me in all those years ago. Please make yourself at home, Madam."
Grateful, Jiang Zheng felt hopeful about her husband's case. But not long afterward, she learned that he was about to be executed and there was no chance of clearing his name.
Jiang Zheng fainted when she heard the news. When she woke, Song Yu was sitting beside her bed, holding a bowl of medicine.
She knew Song Yu had done all he could and held nothing against him. She planned to return to Jinyang after her husband was executed.
But Song Yu said, "If you don't mind, allow me to care for you for the rest of your life."
As Jiang Zheng stared at him in shock, he slowly raised his eyes, his gaze unfathomable. "I have been in love with you for years."
**
Song Yu was poor as a boy and couldn't confess his love. Later, after passing the imperial examinations, he hurried back to Jinyang, only to find that the woman he loved had already married.
He quietly withdrew and sincerely wished her well. He never expected Jiang Zheng to come knocking on his door herself.
His vile possessiveness spiraled out of control. Not only did he refuse to clear the name of Jiang Zheng's husband, who deserved to die, he even sped up the progress of the case.
[Reader advisory]: 1. The male lead is extremely scheming and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
2. The female lead is not a virgin, but the male lead is.
Theme: Sincerity
