The General’s Family Has a Delicate Sickly Beauty

Shen Jinghong is the unruly son of Shen Dingjiang, a revered second-rank general known as the Zhenbei General, and Liu Yunshuang. Raised in the capital with a carefree and arrogant disposition, he spends his days gambling, idling, and associating with a group of playboy friends known as the Twin Menaces of the East City. Despite his privileged background and handsome appearance, he lacks discipline and respect for social conventions. His father, who has spent twenty years defending the northern frontier, holds high expectations for his heir, but Shen Jinghong consistently disappoints him through reckless behavior. The central conflict begins when Shen Jinghong, while drunk in a teahouse, publicly insults the fiancée arranged for him by his parents. He describes Fu Yunyang, the daughter of Grand Tutor Fu Mingyuan, as short-lived, ugly, and a jinx, claiming she would not survive three years of marriage. The remarks are heard by the entire capital, causing severe embarrassment to both families.

General Shen Dingjiang, furious at the disgrace brought upon the Shen family, binds his son with military knots and drags him to the Grand Tutor’s residence to apologize. Madam Shen accompanies them, initially attempting to soften her son’s stubborn attitude by dragging him by the ear. Upon arrival, Grand Tutor Fu Mingyuan receives them with polite composure. He reveals that his daughter has already requested the cancellation of the engagement, stating that forced unions are unhappy and that she does not wish to delay Shen Jinghong from finding a more suitable match. The Grand Tutor’s graceful refusal leaves the Shen family with no choice but to accept the broken betrothal, devastating Madam Shen, who had worked tirelessly to secure this prestigious alliance.

However, General Shen refuses to accept the failure. He begs Fu Mingyuan for a three-month reprieve, promising to reform his son completely or face severe punishment himself, including breaking Shen Jinghong’s legs if he fails. Fu Mingyuan grants the request, and Shen Jinghong is subjected to rigorous physical training and confinement. During this period, he is forced to endure martial drills from dawn until dusk, losing weight and suffering physically, yet he maintains his defiant attitude outwardly. Half a month later, he is allowed to visit Peach Blossom Cove, a popular spring destination, where he reunites with his friends Zhao Zheng, Fang Ziheng, and Zhou Yanzhi. They tease him about his failed engagement and his supposed interest in Qiu Lingxi, a bold martial artist, but Shen Jinghong remains distracted and uninterested in their gossip.

While wandering away from the crowd, Shen Jinghong encounters a mysterious young woman in a pink dress standing beneath an ancient peach tree. She is Fu Yunyang, the very girl he had insulted. She appears ethereal and fragile, surrounded by falling petals, and their eyes meet in a moment of silent recognition. Shen Jinghong is captivated, describing her eyes as non-human, and retrieves a peach blossom that fell from her sleeve. Meanwhile, Fu Yunyang overhears Qiu Lingxi and other ladies discussing the scandal and expressing pity for her, which reinforces her belief that the engagement should be canceled. She leaves Peach Blossom Cove early, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

As the three months progress, Shen Jinghong becomes increasingly obsessed with the memory of the girl in pink, referring to her as a flower spirit. He sneaks out to drink at a brothel, where he again makes derogatory comments about sickly women, which are reported back to Fu Yunyang. Her maid, Xiaodie, is furious on her mistress’s behalf, but Fu Yunyang accepts the insults with quiet resignation, believing she is indeed a burden. Shen Jinghong, however, is tormented by his growing feelings and the realization that he may have ruined his chance at redemption. The story follows his internal struggle as he attempts to reconcile his rebellious nature with his desire to prove himself worthy of the woman he now seeks to marry.

The narrative explores the contrast between Shen Jinghong’s outward arrogance and his inner turmoil, as well as Fu Yunyang’s gentle strength and self-effacement. While Shen Jinghong undergoes physical training and social scrutiny, Fu Yunyang remains secluded in her western courtyard, reading tales of spirits and reflecting on the impossibility of a union between them. The tension builds as the three-month deadline approaches, with both families watching for any sign of Shen Jinghong’s reform. The story sets the stage for a confrontation between Shen Jinghong’s past indiscretions and his potential for change, as he strives to win back the trust of the Grand Tutor and the heart of Fu Yunyang.

Key turning points include the initial public insult, the failed apology, the encounter at Peach Blossom Cove, and the subsequent emotional distance between the two protagonists. Shen Jinghong’s behavior at the brothel further complicates his situation, as it contradicts any progress he may have made during his training. Fu Yunyang’s acceptance of her fate as a “burden” adds emotional weight to the conflict, as she does not fight for the marriage but rather waits for it to be permanently dissolved. The story direction suggests that Shen Jinghong must overcome not only his father’s expectations and societal judgment but also his own self-destructive tendencies to have any chance at redemption.

The relationship between Shen Jinghong and Fu Yunyang is defined by misunderstanding and unspoken feelings. He sees her as an ethereal ideal, while she sees herself as a fragile invalid unworthy of his attention. The narrative highlights the social constraints of their time, where reputation and family honor dictate personal choices. Shen Jinghong’s friends serve as a foil to his seriousness, providing comic relief but also reflecting the shallow judgments of the capital’s elite. As the three months draw to a close, the pressure mounts on Shen Jinghong to demonstrate genuine change, while Fu Yunyang remains passive, awaiting the outcome of a decision that is not entirely hers to make.

The general’s desperation is evident in his willingness to publicly beg and threaten his own son, indicating the high stakes involved. The Grand Tutor’s polite but firm stance suggests that he values his daughter’s well-being over political alliances. The story culminates in a period of reflection and potential transformation for Shen Jinghong, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions and the possibility of losing the woman he has come to admire. The narrative leaves the resolution open, focusing on the emotional and social challenges that must be overcome for the engagement to be restored.