Marrying Zhao Yunyan, Duke Wei, was hardly a joyous occasion.
He had a cherished concubine, an understanding childhood sweetheart who knew his heart.
He also had a red rose who had once saved his life, a woman he kept outside the manor in a relationship no one could quite explain.
One had accompanied him through childhood; the other had dazzled him in his youth.
No matter how one looked at it, there was no place left for me, his lawful wife.
Mother wept and said I was too simple and straightforward by nature, that I would never be able to warm my husband’s heart.
How was I supposed to live like that?
I comforted her.
I did not seek true love, nor would I harm any concubine.
If I held on to my dignity and cherished myself, how could I not live well?