Ruoshui Tinglan

Tinglan was the daughter of a disgraced official from the previous dynasty. Her mother only revealed her true identity before she died, warning her never to set foot in the capital.

But life is unpredictable. Her mother had barely passed away when Tinglan was sold to a brothel in the capital. Because she was as beautiful as a goddess, she was then offered as a bribe to Feng Heming, a Hanlin Academy scholar over sixty, as his concubine. She struggled to survive in his grand manor, where she once crossed paths with the master's student, Qi Wenyuan, a mighty general who excelled in both letters and arms and possessed both talent and good looks.

After the master died, Tinglan feared for her life and fled in the bitter winter cold. She nearly froze to death, but just as her life hung by a thread, Qi Wenyuan rescued her and hid her in his study...

At first, Qi Wenyuan was only captivated by her beauty and flirted with her at every opportunity, but she rejected him each time. As they spent their days together, he came to admire her intelligence and talent, and gave her his whole heart. Yet no matter how well he treated her, she dared not accept his love.

How could Tinglan not fall for Qi Wenyuan, a man blessed with both talent and good looks? But she was the daughter of a disgraced official from the previous dynasty, and had once been his teacher's wife. She did not dare to love him...

In the end, his courage and devotion melted her heart...

But their path to love was fraught with hardship...

※ The heroine is sensitive and kind, and lacks a sense of security. The hero is cold on the outside but warm within, and tough on the outside but tender within. Sweet with a touch of angst, and a happy ending.

※ The story also includes a little family intrigue and political scheming.