The Beloved, Sun and Moon

Wen Shining was born under an ominous sign, with every flower in the Earl’s estate withering on the night of her birth. A master’s prophecy declared she would bring misfortune to her parents and disaster to the family, leading to her immediate exile to a remote manor hundreds of miles away. For sixteen years, she lived in isolation within a walled courtyard, subjected to beatings and neglect by caretakers who blamed her for every household misfortune. The only source of warmth in her life was Nanny Liu, a local wet nurse who secretly visited her, and Nanny Liu’s family, including her son Chuyan, who supported her emotionally and academically. Despite the abuse, Wen Shining remained gentle and hopeful, dreaming of a better life beyond the talisman-covered walls that bound her.

The Wen family eventually retrieved Wen Shining to return her to the capital, not out of love, but because of a political necessity. She was the legitimate eldest daughter, though her existence had been erased from records in favor of Wen Shuyan, the favored daughter raised in luxury. The engagement between the Wen and Fu families had been arranged years ago, with Wen Shuyan originally betrothed to Fu Wenzhou, the celebrated second son of the Marquis Zhongyong. However, Fu Wenzhou had been severely injured in battle, suffering from an incurable poison that left him paralyzed and dying. With the imperial decree binding the marriage and the Second Prince showing interest in Wen Shuyan, the Wen family sought to use Wen Shining as a sacrificial substitute to maintain their political alliances while allowing Wen Shuyan to marry into royalty as a concubine.

Upon returning to the Earl’s mansion, Wen Shining faced immediate hostility. Her birth mother, Madam Wen, viewed her with disgust and fear, while her sister Wen Shuyan resented her for stealing the marriage that represented all her dreams. Wen Shuyan physically assaulted Wen Shining, mocking her ignorance of etiquette, arts, and literature, which Wen Shining had never been taught due to her confinement. Wen Shuyan’s brother, Wen Zixian, also condemned her, calling her a curse who deserved to die to spare others the trouble. The only kindness came from Concubine Feng, a concubine in the Wen household who revealed she was the one who had named Wen Shining and offered her guidance and maternal care during her preparation for the wedding.

Fu Wenzhou, aware of his impending death and the political trap, initially expected to reject the marriage. However, upon meeting Wen Shining, he was struck by her honesty and lack of pretense. Unlike others who treated him with pity or caution, she spoke to him with genuine warmth and even complimented his appearance. When he asked if she truly wished to marry a dying man, she admitted she had no choice but requested the promise of freedom after his death. Moved by her resilience and innocence, Fu Wenzhou agreed to the marriage, not out of romantic love, but out of a desire to protect her from the Wen family’s cruelty and to provide her with a dignified future.

The wedding preparations were marked by further conflict. Wen Shuyan, consumed by jealousy, attacked Wen Shining in her courtyard, but Wen Shining finally stood up for herself, refusing to be a passive victim. Meanwhile, Fu Wenzhou’s younger sister, Fu Wan’er, took a liking to Wen Shining and invited her to the Lantern Festival, giving Wen Shining her first experience of the outside world. During the festival, Wen Shining’s innocent wonder and sincere gratitude towards Fu Wenzhou softened his hardened heart. He realized that despite his physical decline, he could still bring joy to others, and he became determined to honor his promise to grant her freedom.

As the wedding date approached, the political landscape shifted. The Second Prince’s interest in Wen Shuyan was waning, and the Fu family’s status remained precarious due to Fu Wenzhou’s illness. Wen Shining, however, remained focused on her new role, learning etiquette from Concubine Feng and preparing to enter the Marquis household. The story sets the stage for Wen Shining’s journey from a cursed outcast to a wife who must navigate the complex and hostile environment of a noble family, while Fu Wenzhou seeks to fulfill his promise of freedom to the woman who brought light back into his life.