Feng Wenyu and Gu Yushi were married for twelve years in a union that appeared perfect to the outside world. Gu Yushi, a high-ranking official favored by the new emperor, had never taken a concubine and refused his dying mother’s demands to remarry. Feng Wenyu managed the household with full authority. However, their private life was defined by a suffocating silence. Once deeply affectionate, the couple had drifted apart over the years, communicating only through cold formalities. Feng Wenyu, who had married for love, found herself increasingly isolated, while Gu Yushi prioritized his political duties, creating an emotional chasm that neither could bridge.
The tension escalated when Feng Wenyu fell seriously ill after waiting in the rain for her husband. Gu Yushi, already distant, interpreted her illness as a manipulative tactic, recalling a past incident where she had feigned sickness to get his attention. His cold accusation that she was making a scene broke her spirit. In a moment of desperate vulnerability, she demanded a divorce. Gu Yushi initially refused, using her family’s status as leverage to keep her trapped in the marriage. The conflict intensified when Shen Jingchen, a frail entertainer from the Imperial Music Academy and Feng Wenyu’s childhood friend, visited her during her recovery. Gu Yushi discovered them together and, consumed by jealousy and suspicion, accused Feng Wenyu of infidelity. The confrontation revealed the depth of his resentment and her exhaustion. Defeated, Gu Yushi agreed to the divorce, but before the papers could be processed, he woke up fourteen years in the past, returning to the time when they were merely engaged.
In this second chance, Gu Yushi retains the memories of their disastrous marriage and the mutual hatred that defined its end. He resolves to avoid Feng Wenyu entirely, believing that severing ties early is the only way to prevent the pain he endured. However, the timeline has shifted. Feng Wenyu, still young and unaware of the future, interprets his sudden coldness as a rejection. At a matchmaking banquet hosted by the Qiao family, she confronts him, only for him to dismiss her with the words that they are not suited for each other. Heartbroken and humiliated, she returns home and announces her intention to break the engagement. Her family, outraged by Gu Yushi’s perceived disrespect, prepares to formally dissolve the betrothal.
Meanwhile, Gu Yushi struggles with his conflicting emotions. Despite his determination to stay away, he finds himself unable to ignore her. He observes her from a distance, noting her vibrant spirit, which contrasts sharply with the weary woman he remembered. His attempts to push her away only seem to drive her further into despair, yet he cannot bring himself to comfort her. The narrative explores the complexity of their redefined relationship, as both characters navigate a future that is no longer predetermined. Gu Yushi must decide whether to repeat the mistakes of his past or find a new path, while Feng Wenyu must choose between holding onto a love that has turned cold or reclaiming her independence. The story unfolds against the backdrop of court politics and social expectations, where every interaction is laden with unspoken history and the potential for redemption or further ruin.
