Song Shiwei is a young lady boarding at the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence. With willow-shaped brows, almond eyes, a rosy complexion, and a peach-blossom face, she is a peerless beauty. But after her family falls on hard times, she has to tread carefully just to get by. Though blessed with beauty, she strictly follows propriety, making her words and actions stiff and dull.
Ji Yanli is the pride of the Ji family, a close attendant to the emperor, and as bright and refined as the moon. He is the man of countless young ladies' dreams.
Though they live under the same roof, one is like a heavenly guest, the other a flower on a branch. No one would ever imagine the two of them together.
No one knows that after nightfall, Song Shiwei wears a sheer robe, her eyes soft as spring water. Fighting back her shame, she trembles as she kneels across Ji Yanli's lap, like a begonia in full bloom. "Please take pity on me, Cousin."
Ji Yanli sits upright in the hall, his clothes immaculate. His gaze slowly travels over her fair skin, and his voice is low and hoarse. "Come here."
Ji Yanli treats Song Shiwei very well, granting nearly every request. He takes care of her father in prison and her chronically ill mother, and doesn't let outsiders' gossip trouble her in the least.
During those spring nights when their bodies entwine, Song Shiwei's heart sinks deeper and deeper, beyond her control. She even ignores her humiliating position, believing she has found someone to rely on for life,
until one day she overhears him speaking outside the door:
"She's frivolous. She might do as a mistress, but she'd never make a suitable wife."
So that was how he'd always seen her. Those warm, sweet memories were nothing but a veil she'd thrown over her shame. Now that it had been ripped away, all that remained was her, exposed and humiliated.
Song Shiwei decides to leave him.
But who would have thought that the great man, high above everyone else, would lower his head and beg, "Please, come back with me. Don't leave me."
The first time Ji Yanli saw Song Shiwei, he knew she was destined to be his.
He laid a trap and drew her in, step by step.
Who could have guessed she'd want to leave him?
Ji Yanli, always so bright and refined, crushed the teacup in his hand. If he could have her once, he could have her a second time, a third, or as many times as it took.
No matter how far they went or how long time passed, in this life, she could only be entangled with him.
Content Warnings
1. Neither lead is perfect. They both have their own flaws.
2. Feel free to criticize the hero, but please try not to criticize the heroine (if you really can't help it, so be it). Just don't criticize the author (I'm sensitive and care a lot about readers' opinions).
3. Thoughtful discussion is welcome. No unsolicited writing advice. There are a million great stories on Jinjiang; if this one isn't for you, we can find another.
Blurb dated February 9, 2025.
Theme: Accepting and believing in your imperfect self.
