[The spring breeze dares not cross, so I cross within my heart, and carry the spring breeze across as well.]
In the first year of the Tianjing era, the emperor favored the Imperial Preceptor, built the Son of Heaven’s tomb, and ordered his tenth son to guard the dragon vein that sustained the nation’s fortune. Several years later, the Son of Heaven’s tomb became Bianlu Abbey.
In the fourth year of Tianjing, General Yingyun defeated a foreign power, but his daughter went missing. She was later sent to Bianlu Abbey as a divine entertainer.
On a moonlit night at Bianlu Abbey,
a young Taoist priest at the abbey pulled Xi Ruocun to her feet and told her, “When people bully you, don’t cry, and don’t look at them with hatred.”
Xi Ruocun was puzzled. “Then what expression should I wear?”
The young Taoist priest said, “Smile.”
Xi Ruocun listened and cried even harder. “Wouldn’t that make me look insane?”
The young Taoist priest patiently wiped away her tears. “Those bullies only pick on you because they know you’re an easy target. They wouldn’t dare provoke a madwoman.”
“?” After hearing his advice, no one really bullied her again.
Later, Xi Ruocun left the mountain and was found by an old family friend, then returned to distant Suzhou.
Later still, Xi Ruocun had no choice but to return to the imperial capital, where her clan tried to force her into marriage.
The emperor’s tenth son, Xie Che, took off his Taoist robes at Bianlu Abbey and left.
In front of everyone from the Xi family, Xie Che said to Xi Ruocun, “You have two choices: stay under my protection for three years, or marry a decent, honorable man.”
After choosing the first option, Xi Ruocun chatted with his younger sister, Princess Fuzhao.
Princess Fuzhao complained, “Brother Ten doesn’t understand women at all. He’s as cold as ice, as taciturn as a gourd, and as dull as a statue.”
Xi Ruocun said, “Huh? The Tenth Prince you’re talking about doesn’t sound anything like the one I know.”
The two of them recalled the Tenth Prince, Xie Che.
Princess Fuzhao’s expression grew even more pained.
Think back to when Xi Ruocun had just arrived at the Tenth Prince’s residence, and a palace instructor came to teach her.
The instructor said, “Managing silk and hemp is a woman’s duty. Young lady, you should begin by learning needlework.”
Before Xi Ruocun could complain, Xie Che looked displeased and said, “She won’t need to do needlework in the future, so why should she learn it?”
The instructor said awkwardly, “When she marries, ”
Xie Che cut her off decisively. “She won’t marry into a family that would make her do such work. Don’t waste time teaching her something useless.”
Xi Ruocun thought to herself, How is this man cold? How is he taciturn?
[Note]
The romance and plot are intertwined; the proportions are unclear.
Ensemble cast | Small ensemble
Mixed pairings | Both sweetness and angst [Main couple: versatile, sweet-and-salty heroine x secretly delighted hero]
Romance includes love | friendship | loyalty between ruler and subject | teacher-student bonds | sibling bonds | family affection
A chaotic mishmash of systems and historical research
Theme: The spring breeze dares not cross, so I cross within my heart, and carry the spring breeze across as well.
The Bodhisattva’s Umbrella
Fish and Water
One Day Is Like a Thousand Mornings
Since We Were Young
Like
The Book of Heavenly Offices
A Joyful Youth That Lasts Forever
Please Behave Yourself
The Fire of Center Stage
A Collection of Boyfriends
Enter the Gate of Longing
The Princess's Affliction Is Being a Woman