Shen Ming knew she was a thoroughly despicable woman. Like a rat in a gutter, she had schemed to steal a marriage that wasn't hers, all to claim the moon in the sky.
She got her wish and married the man she wanted: Xie Xu, the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of Zhenguo, a man of noble birth and elegant bearing whom all the noble young ladies in the capital pursued.
They treated each other with respect, and though their life together was uneventful, they were deeply in love. She carefully maintained her lie, terrified that he would one day discover her true nature and leave her. After all, he loved the person she pretended to be: frail, kindhearted, gentle, and so weak that she would be breathless after a few steps and need him to carry and protect her.
And her husband was every bit as gentle and refined as the stories claimed, benevolent and humble.
He was kind to everyone. His peerlessly handsome face always held a smile as warm as a spring rain. He was so kindhearted that he would tear up at the sight of beggars by the road, and bring stray cats and dogs home to care for them.
More than once, Shen Ming had been glad she'd schemed to take this marriage for herself. Because of that, she worked even harder to play the part of a refined young lady. She was careful in everything she did, even keeping the curve of her smile nearly perfect, leaving no room for criticism.
She had thought she would keep up the act for the rest of her life, growing old with her husband in a happy marriage.
Until one day, while tidying the room, she found a notebook in a box beneath the bed. The handwriting was hurried and wild:
"My wife is pretending for my sake. So cute..."
"I mustn't scare her!"
"I mustn't scare her!"
"That's right. I am him."
"I am him."
"She is mine."
A cold wind blew in through the window lattice, making the notebook rustle.
Along with it came the drunken muttering of a servant:
"The eldest young master has been dead for ages!!! There's a nine-in-ten chance he was murdered!!"
"The one wearing his face now is just his twin brother..."
"You can't say things like that! If the madam hears you, you'll lose your life!"
As a chill crept through every limb, a voice slowly sounded beside Shen Ming's ear.
It was still as gentle and clear as ever, like a limpid spring flowing beneath the moon. His voice carried a smile, and sounded just like the secret whispers they shared in bed.
Her husband was calling her from behind:
"Wife."
Shen Ming froze instantly, her blood running cold.
Theme: .
