Shen Yujiao, a noble daughter of Chang’an, bright and dignified, gentle in both appearance and heart, was betrothed to Pei Xia of Hedong.
Then disaster struck: her father and brothers were imprisoned, the entire family exiled.
Disaster does not extend to married-out daughters. Madam Shen wrote to the Pei family of Hedong, hoping they would honor the engagement and take Yujiao as bride.
But until the day of exile, no one from the Pei family ever appeared.
Supporting her mother, Shen Yujiao kept her face calm: “Don’t wait anymore. The daughter of a criminal, how could she still deserve the heir of the Pei clan?”
Just as she turned away, the sound of horse hooves rose behind her.
A young nobleman in brocade robe and jade belt dismounted. Even dust from a long journey could not hide features like carved jade, like clear skies after rain.
Meeting Shen Yujiao’s astonished gaze, the man with deep black eyes raised his sleeve and bowed: “Pei Xia of Hedong—come to take my wife home.”
***
After marriage, the two treated each other with respect. By accident, Yujiao was cast onto the road of exile.
Fleeing into Jinling territory, she happened upon thugs dividing their spoils.
As she weighed whether to fight to the death, unyielding, or kneel to beg for mercy, able to bend and stretch—
The gang leader, Xie Wuling, lifted her chin, peach-blossom eyes glimmering with a faint smile: “Little lady looks fine enough. How about becoming Laozi’s wife?”
**
Pei Xia of Hedong, a gentleman like jade, bore his heart for family and country, never entangled in love or pleasure.
At first, defying all objections to marry the criminal’s daughter Shen Yujiao, it was only for the gentleman’s way—for honor and keeping his word.
He thought that giving her a name and a son was already benevolence to the utmost.
Only when she was nearly seized by another man did he realize—love could not be reasoned away, nor desire restrained.
**
Before meeting Shen Yujiao, Xie Wuling only wished to idle in Jinling with wife, children, and a warm bed.
After meeting her, he learned—if one wished to win the beauty’s hand, being a mere thug was not enough.
When his little wife was taken away, he chased through a hundred li in the rain, just to thrust the red bridal veil he had stitched by hand into her arms.
Bruised and battered, he still smiled at her: “Don’t worry, I’ll steal you back.”
Later, from Jinling to Chang’an, from a petty gangster to a high minister at court—
Xie Wuling spent his entire life only to place the red veil upon Shen Yujiao, to rightfully call her his wife.
