Dreaming with the Cold, Powerful Minister: The Delicate One Blushes and Her Heart Races

Jiang Fu is a young woman from the declining second branch of the Jiang family, an orphan raised in isolation after losing both parents at age five. She lives under the neglectful and hostile care of the main household, particularly the First Madam, who views her as a burden. Despite her difficult upbringing, Jiang Fu possesses a carefree nature, finding comfort primarily in food and the study of incense recipes left to her by her mother. Her life is marked by recurring, vivid dreams of a mysterious man, with whom she shares intimate encounters, though she never sees his face clearly. These dreams have become a source of confusion and distress, as she fears they will complicate her future.

The central conflict begins when the Xiao family, a powerful and influential clan, arrives to break off Jiang Fu’s childhood engagement to their eldest son, Xiao Yuzhang. The official reason cited is astrological incompatibility, but the real motive stems from Xiao Yuzhang’s prejudice against Jiang Fu’s rumored ugliness and timidity. The man sent to finalize the breakup is Xiao Jing, the Third Master of the Xiao family and the eldest son’s uncle. Xiao Jing is the Emperor’s trusted commander of the Imperial Guard, known for his cold and ruthless demeanor. Upon seeing Jiang Fu, both characters are struck by recognition; they realize the dream figure is real, though neither acknowledges this connection openly. Jiang Fu is terrified by Xiao Jing’s coldness, while Xiao Jing is intrigued by her apparent fear and fragility.

Following the broken engagement, Jiang Fu’s status in the Jiang household deteriorates further. She is subjected to humiliation by her cousins, Jiang Yao and Jiang Lin, who envy her beauty and seek to elevate their own marriage prospects. Jiang Yao, in particular, schemes to damage Jiang Fu’s reputation, hoping to position herself as a suitable match for Xiao Jing. The tension escalates during a lotus-viewing banquet hosted by the Xie family, where Jiang Fu is publicly ostracized. Jiang Yao pushes Jiang Fu into the lake, attempting to drown her or at least humiliate her in front of the capital’s elite. Xiao Jing, who is also attending the banquet, leaps into the water to save Jiang Fu. In the process, he performs mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, an act that leaves Jiang Fu traumatized and convinced that Xiao Jing despises her, while Xiao Jing becomes increasingly obsessed with her reaction to him.

After the incident, Jiang Fu is confined to her courtyard, cut off from the outside world. However, her isolation is interrupted by Xu Yun, the daughter of the Vice Minister of Works and a friend she made at the banquet. Xu Yun, who is popular and well-connected, invites Jiang Fu to visit her residence, offering her genuine friendship and protection from the Jiang family’s malice. During her visit, Jiang Fu discovers that Xiao Jing has also been interacting with the Xu family, seemingly under the guise of official business regarding the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. Unbeknownst to Jiang Fu, Xiao Jing’s presence is driven by his desire to be near her, as he continues to dream of her nightly and seeks to understand the nature of their connection.

The story direction shifts as Jiang Fu begins to navigate a complex social landscape. She forms a bond with Xu Yun, who provides her with a safe haven and introduces her to new experiences, including the opportunity to experiment with incense making. Meanwhile, Xiao Jing’s pursuit of Jiang Fu becomes more apparent, though he maintains a stoic exterior. The narrative sets the stage for a romantic tension between the two, complicated by Jiang Fu’s misunderstanding of Xiao Jing’s intentions and the ongoing hostility from the Jiang family. As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, the interactions between the characters will likely intensify, forcing Jiang Fu to confront her fears and Xiao Jing to reveal his true feelings.