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I was the daughter of a merchant. When I was six, my parents brought home nine-year-old Jiang Ke-yu, saying his parents had met with misfortune and he would live with us from then on.

Jiang Ke-yu was exceptionally gifted and diligent. A few years later, with my parents' nurturing and his mentor's promotion, he successfully embarked on an official career, rising to prominence.

That same year, my father fell gravely ill and entrusted me to him. My father watched us perform our wedding rites and, only after receiving his promise that he would only have me in his life, did he close his eyes in peace.

From then on, Jiang Ke-yu and I became husband and wife, treating each other with mutual respect. Six years passed in a blink.

During those six years, my husband fulfilled his promise, having only me in his inner chambers. I, too, managed the household for him and bore him a pair of children. We were polite to each other, our days peaceful and warm.

I thought it was his nature to be so cold, unsmiling, rigid, and restrained. So, even though I often felt a distance between us as a couple, I could always console myself.

Until one day, I took my children to the river to release flower lanterns. A pleasure boat slowly drifted past, and I looked up to see a talented scholar and a beautiful lady on board, chatting happily. It was my husband and his mentor's daughter.

It turned out that even someone as aloof as Jiang Ke-yu could laugh so freely. This scene was like a seed falling into my heart, taking root and sprouting, growing ever denser, occupying my heart, and suffocating me.

Even my children became cautious due to my melancholy. I couldn't go on like this, so that night, I proactively proposed a divorce. He was surprised but didn't refuse, so the separation went smoothly.

He said that even if we were no longer husband and wife, given my parents' kindness in raising him, he would still consider himself my elder brother, and I could always seek him out if I encountered difficulties. I nodded, agreeing.

Back at the old family home, with time on my hands, I started a teahouse on the bustling East Bridge Street. Every day, I welcomed and saw off guests, and my life was happier than before.

The pale scholar next door would blush at a few words from me; my two handsome shop assistants attended to my every need; the zither player from the Yaofang was a regular at my teahouse, often coming to chat and relieve my boredom...

I only just realized there were so many joys in the world, what freedom! The only slight issue was that Jiang Ke-yu, who promised to bring our children to see me every fortnight lest they miss me, started coming more and more frequently.

From every fortnight to every ten days, then five days, three days...sometimes, on his days off, he even wanted to stay at my place. I understood his intentions, but I didn't want my old life back, so I told him:

“I've fallen for a scholar, and I'm getting remarried.”

***

From the male lead's perspective: I married Ah Yuan out of gratitude, with little affection. Although we lived under the same roof for nine years, my adoptive parents always told her not to disturb her brother's studies. She was very obedient, always hiding in a corner, secretly watching me, never speaking an extra word to me.

To me, her greatest advantage was her beauty and docility. While she didn't evoke passionate love in me, she made it acceptable for me to spend my life with her.

But this docile Ah Yuan actually initiated a divorce. Since she wanted it, then so be it; it wouldn't be a breach of my promise. I originally thought her departure wouldn't affect me much, but I found myself constantly agitated at home, and feeling an emptiness.

My children were there, and they were very well-behaved, behaving just like Ah Yuan used to, only daring to secretly watch me. By some twist of fate, I secretly went to watch her too.

I saw her laughing and talking joyfully with the pale scholar next door, joking with the assistants she hired, and drinking with the beautiful zither player... She was so vibrant, like a completely different person.

My children missed their mother, so I tirelessly accompanied them to see Ah Yuan; they never wanted to leave. I didn't want to either. But then, one day, Ah Yuan told me she had fallen for the pale scholar next door and wanted to marry him.

She had no living relatives, so she hoped I, as her elder brother, would escort her to her wedding. She even asked, “Brother, are you happy for me?”

Happy? Of course, I'm happy. To watch her marry someone else would be worse than dying right now. Of course, I'm happy.