A Lady of High Birth

She was born into a distinguished family, with learning passed down through generations. Though life with her father had been poor, it had been steeped in books. Surely, she ought to marry a scholar from a humble family, and one day share in his honors and prosperity. Or she could simply live a quiet life. But instead, she was to marry into a merchant family and become a second wife, a humiliating prospect in itself. Worse, her new husband left on their wedding day. His many acts of neglect hinted at the secrets behind the marriage.

Perhaps she should answer indifference with indifference, and from then on treat him with icy courtesy. But the more she learned, the more clearly she saw the depth of this man's love and the fragility of his heart. Though his affections belonged to someone else, she could not help falling for him. An accident brought them closer and melted the ice between them. Perhaps she could never make him forget his past completely, but she should cherish the love they shared now. They had a long life ahead of them together, so why dwell on what lay buried in the past?

Their marriage was loving and their family prospered, but neither could withstand the changing times and spreading flames of war. The rise and fall of dynasties were no longer mere words in history books: they became the devastating reality of a fallen nation and ruined home. Whether they gave their lives for their country or withdrew to the countryside, all they asked was to face it together. Life or death no longer mattered…