Her father died in battle, and her mother followed him in death.
When Xie Chanzhi first arrived at the Zhang residence, all she wanted was a temporary place to stay.
The Xie and Zhang families had once arranged a marriage between their children. The Zhang family's eldest legitimate son was also refined and gracious, a fine choice for a husband.
Xie Chanzhi agreed.
Though this marriage was not what she wanted, her clan members were eyeing her inheritance. Only by relying on the Zhang family could she protect the estate her parents had left her.
But in the end, she married the Zhang family's son born to a concubine.
Married life was neither good nor bad.
Though Zhang Yucheng was a taciturn man, he wasn't difficult to get along with. The couple treated each other with respect, and their life together was peaceful enough.
They lived quietly like this for several years, until Zhang Yucheng went to southern Yunnan to provide disaster relief. He never returned.
Xie Chanzhi felt little for her husband. The respect she did have for him had grown over the years.
But the imperial edict granting him honors included Zhang Yucheng's final words.
"My wife has endured hardship for half her life and rarely known happiness."
"After my death, I hope Your Majesty will allow her to leave with her dowry and live in comfort, free of worries, for the rest of her life."
Every word was for her sake.
For the first time, Xie Chanzhi understood what it meant to fall for someone. But the man who had captured her thoughts had long since passed away, scattered among the dust of southern Yunnan.
*
His legitimate mother was shrewd, and his elder brother was renowned for his talent.
Zhang Yucheng had never intended to distinguish himself or compete for the wealth and power of the imperial court.
But then he saw Xie Chanzhi standing all alone in the flower hall, trembling slightly as she offered a gentle smile and said, "I'll marry him."
He saw her forced to send a box full of gold and jade to the main branch, then lower her eyes unconsciously as she looked in the mirror.
He saw her sitting alone at the very end of the banquet hall, her food so cold it had lost every trace of warmth.
Suddenly, he wanted to prove himself.
Even if not for his own sake, he ought to fight for the sake of the wife who had once been proud and noble, but now had to endure one indignity after another.
The northwest, the coast, southern Yunnan...
He was willing to go anywhere, and he did.
Who could have known that disaster would strike, leaving him no chance to see Xie Chanzhi with his own eyes again?
All he could do was send back a few words through someone before he died, revealing a little of the affection he had never voiced.
*
Reborn, Zhang Yucheng doesn't want to hold his wife back again.
He plans to stop this unequal marriage, find Xie Chanzhi a husband with a bright future, and secure a brilliant life for her.
But when Madam Zhang sits in the middle of the flower hall and smilingly asks Xie Chanzhi what she thinks,
Xie Chanzhi doesn't look at the young man in blue. Instead, she turns toward Zhang Yucheng and gives him a soft smile.
"The second young master is a good man. I'm willing to marry him."
★ Gentle, resilient wallflower x a man who can't bring himself to say what he feels
★ Both leads are reborn. The story begins in their past lives. The overall tone is bittersweet, but the romance is sweet.
★ Fictional setting inspired by the Ming dynasty. Please don't get hung up on historical accuracy, kisses and hugs
★ The title may change before the novel gets featured, so please add it to your favorites and keep track of it. Pretty please!
*
Theme: Time reveals true character, and perseverance proves one's worth.
