The Delicate Beauty and Her Three Brothers

Shen Yun Dai is a nine-year-old girl living in Su Prefecture with her father, Captain Shen Zhonglin, and her older brother. Her family suffers a catastrophic blow when the war between the Dayuan Empire and the Turks erupts. Both her father and brother are killed in battle, leaving Yun Dai as the sole survivor of the Shen household. The news coincides with the Lunar New Year, creating a stark contrast between the festive celebrations in the city and the white mourning banners hanging at the Shen residence. Neighbors pity the orphaned girl, noting that she lost her mother years ago and now has no male protectors to defend her interests or manage the family’s modest assets.

Shen Fu’an, a distant clansman from the Qin Prefecture Shen Clan, arrives claiming to represent the family. He pressures Yun Dai to return to Qin Prefecture, arguing that she has no place in Su Prefecture. However, Yun Dai overhears a private conversation between Shen Fu’an and the family steward. She learns that her uncle intends to seize the family’s court compensation money and the property deeds. His plan is to keep Yun Dai in the clan for a few years and then marry her off to a man of his choosing, effectively selling her into a life of servitude. Terrified and alone, Yun Dai refuses to leave, but she has no power to stop him. The household servants are powerless to intervene against a clan elder.

Just as Shen Fu’an attempts to force Yun Dai to pack her belongings, a Vermilion Lacquered Carriage arrives at the mansion. The Duke of Jin, a first-rank noble and military commander who recently secured a great victory over the Turks, enters with his eldest son, Xie Bojin. The Duke reveals that he was a close friend of Yun Dai’s father. During the Battle of Ghost Wither Ridge, Shen Zhonglin saved the Duke’s life by taking a poisoned blade meant for him. The Duke is furious to learn of Shen Fu’an’s greed and the nephew’s attempt to exploit an orphan. In a display of authority, Xie Bojin throws a dagger at Shen Fu’an’s head, pinning it to the pillar behind him to intimidate the man into leaving. Shen Fu’an, terrified for his life, flees Su Prefecture immediately.

The Duke and his son then speak with Yun Dai. They explain that a young girl alone in the world is vulnerable to predators. The Duke proposes that Yun Dai come live with them in the Dukedom. He and his wife, Madam Qiao, wish to adopt her as their foster daughter. Madam Qiao, who has three sons but no daughter, is eager to raise Yun Dai with love and provide her with the best education and protection. Initially hesitant due to her grief and attachment to her late family’s home, Yun Dai agrees after realizing that the Dukedom is the only place where she will be safe from those who covet her inheritance.

Yun Dai moves into the magnificent Duke of Jin’s Mansion. She is introduced to the Duke’s three sons: Xie Bojin, the stern and capable heir; Xie Zhongxuan, the gentle and refined second brother; and Xie Shunan, the lively and mischievous third brother. Madam Qiao treats Yun Dai with immediate warmth, offering her a beautiful courtyard and fine clothes. Yun Dai struggles with the transition, feeling small and out of place among the nobility. She misses her father and brother deeply, often weeping in her sleep. However, she begins to find comfort in the kindness of her new family. The brothers, despite their different personalities, accept her as their sister. Xie Bojin, though reserved, shows his care through subtle actions, such as sharing food with her during meals. The story establishes Yun Dai’s new life as a protected member of one of the most powerful families in the empire, setting the stage for her growth and the challenges she will face in her new environment.