Su Xingsang, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Su family, had been clever and charming since childhood, and everyone adored her. Her stubborn nature, however, eventually led her to ask, while still a young student, "Why are we born into this great world?"
Her words left everyone stunned. She was only ten, at an age when she ought to be curious about the world, not asking such a question.
Her teacher replied, "We live for ourselves. When one day there is no one left beyond the fence, that will be peace." That was his answer, and what she needed to hear at that moment.
Su Xingsang fell silent for a long time after hearing his answer. Before she knew it, her teacher had left, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
From then on, she became graceful, gentle, and well-behaved, just as people said she should be. Yet she was distant with everyone, especially her relatives, showing neither joy nor sorrow. Her coldness was so profound that no one dared get close to her.
Her father, the great general who guarded the nation, couldn't accept this and frantically searched for doctors to treat his eldest daughter. The physicians diagnosed her with a psychological illness and deemed it incurable. Then the old state preceptor heard of the matter and came to see her. He explained, "The young lady was born at midnight. A great calamity will surely befall the world. Only by sending her to the countryside can she avoid disaster."
One day after leaving the capital, Su Xingsang had been in the countryside for barely half a day when bandits seized her. Thinking fate had treated her unjustly and that she would die there, she was rescued by Xu Yuheng, the young master of the Xu family, who happened to be traveling through. Su Xingsang became Xu Yuheng's betrothed, chosen by him himself.
She then learned that the Xu family was renowned, with every member having earned distinction. Who would have thought they were all civil officials?
But their good fortune did not last. Five years ago, the Xu family was framed for crimes against the emperor: defying a holy decree and colluding with foreign enemies. Everyone knew they were upright officials, yet not one person dared speak on their behalf. The Xu family was destroyed, but no one knew that one boy had survived. Young Xu Yuheng had witnessed it all with his own eyes and secretly vowed to avenge his family.
At eighteen, Su Xingsang returned home once more, determined to uncover the truth...
[An old, embarrassing draft. I probably cut out a lot of the outline, so the plot moves fast. If that bothers you, don't read.]
Core theme: Cherish the days you have.
