Jiang Shu, a noblewoman from a family of upright civil officials, was supposed to marry Pei Yin, the second son of the Pei family.
With the wedding date approaching, Pei Yin was still entangled with another woman, causing a scandal that engulfed the entire city.
Since the Empress Dowager wanted to arrange a match between her and the Pei family, Jiang Shu had no choice but to marry Pei Si, Pei Yin's elder brother.
Pei Si is the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a trusted aide to the emperor who oversees the imperial prison. He's also a dreaded figure in the capital whom no one dares marry: cursed to bring misfortune to his family, cold-blooded, and unfeeling.
At their first meeting to discuss the engagement, Jiang Shu promised him she would put an end to the rumors that he brought misfortune to his family and take her place as a proper wife. The one thing she would not accept was him taking a concubine.
Pei Si has a handsome face like polished jade and wears a white brocade robe with a round collar. The midday sunlight makes him look both gentle and dignified. Looking at Jiang Shu, so different from other frail women, he thinks he has somehow lucked into a beautiful, clear-headed, intelligent wife.
Later, Jiang Shu marries into the Pei household and takes on her responsibilities as a wife. She builds a fishpond and a pavilion for watching the rain, and gets her cousin, who has lost the ability to speak, to help her plant vegetables.
[Pei Si's perspective]
As Jiang Shu's husband, he knows he should fulfill his duties and keep his place in their relationship.
Over time, he patiently answers her questions and offers his opinions late into the night. He earns money for her to spend and accompanies her to all the occasions he is expected to attend. He thinks all married couples treat each other with such courteous respect.
His mother died when he was young, and his father was a man of few words. As the eldest legitimate son of the Pei family, he bears its responsibilities, and cannot afford to make a single misstep. So he has always been careful and restrained in how he deals with people and handles matters, certain that he knows how to keep himself in check.
Until that night
With the moon high above the treetops, Pei Yin uses the excuse of being drunk to corner Jiang Shu in the bamboo garden, making it clear that his old feelings for her haven't faded.
Pei Si emerges from the shadows and steps in front of Jiang Shu, blocking Pei Yin's gaze.
He looks at his younger brother with a faint, icy stare. "Second Brother, why are you looking for your sister-in-law in the middle of the night?"
Most of the drunkenness leaves Pei Yin's face. He awkwardly walks away.
Pei Si pins Jiang Shu behind the door and bends to kiss her lips gently. His words carry the possessiveness he's suppressed for too long, along with a threat he doesn't want to voice.
"My lady, please don't see him again. All right?"
Theme: Nothing matters more than making a good life together
So this article was published two years ago, then not finished, and then started to be updated recently? Will it be finished this time? If it takes another two years, I won't watch it [covering face, laughing and crying]