Three years ago, Wang Yiqian was dragged by his rowdy friends to a brothel for entertainment. It was early spring, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, and the spring breeze carried a warmth.
The east wind softly brings fine rain, outside the Hibiscus Hall, there's gentle thunder.
Golden toad nibbles the lock, filling the air with incense, the jade tiger pulls the thread, drawing water from the well.
Lady Jia peeks through the curtain at Han's assistant, Fu Fei leaves behind her pillow for the talent of King Wei.
Let not a heart in spring vie with the flowers in bloom, for every inch of yearning becomes an inch of ash.
The flamboyantly dressed procurer, with a silver tongue, pulled at Wang Yiqian, wanting to introduce him to the new courtesan. Wang Yiqian was just about to decline when Du Yan happened to gracefully descend from upstairs.
She wore a red dress, her feathered lashes slightly drooped, her rosy, alluring lips gently curled. Her enchanting eyes sparkled, just her standing there doing nothing attracted all the attention in the room.
Wang Yiqian was stupefied, thinking how could such a stunning woman exist in the Mortal World, with a face like a sunset and a fall of swans.
At first glance, he was captivated and never came out of it since.
"She is..." Wang Yiqian asked dumbfoundedly.
The procurer laughed, waving the scented handkerchief in her hand, flatteringly said, "Mr. Wang! Let me introduce you to this young lady who is our brothel's new courtesan, Du Yan!"
Seeing Wang Yiqian's infatuated look, the savvy procurer, with a twinkle in her eye, said smilingly, "If Mr. Wang is interested, I'll arrange it for today! What do you think?"
How could Wang Yiqian refuse, he immediately handed over a silver note asking for Du Yan's company.
The procurer, satisfied with the silver note, went to make arrangements.
Perhaps it was fate's mischief that led Wang Yiqian to meet Old Master Du's daughter.
At that time, Du Yan never thought that this wealthy son in front of her would turn out to be the son of the man who killed her father.
Upon first meeting Wang Yiqian, Du Yan only felt that this man was very reserved, very different from other playboys.
She poured tea for him, played the piano, and sang. Wang Yiqian would listen attentively at her side, never making excessive demands, never crossing the line, treating her with great respect.
For a courtesan like Du Yan, more valuable than gold and silver was this respect.
No matter how glorious the past was, it had become a fleeting cloud at this moment; she had fallen into a brothel and was considered lowly.
In this world of sordid pleasures, years of pressure and beatings had long shattered her dignity.
She never thought she would meet someone who never regarded her as lowly but instead treated her as a real person, treating her well and offering warmth.
This friendship more precious than gold moved her, and thus she looked at Wang Yiqian with new admiration.
Wang Yiqian, talented and well-versed in poetry and songs, with outstanding looks, could be considered an excellent match.
With long-term interaction, the two developed feelings for each other and privately pledged themselves to each other.
A talented scholar and a beautiful woman, if their hearts were truly given, they were a pair made in heaven.
Wang Yiqian redeemed Du Yan from the brothel, settled her outside as his concubine. Over three years, they were deeply in love and had two adorable children.
Du Yan never asked for much, as long as she could stay by Wang Yiqian's side for a lifetime, she was content.
She remembered when Wang Yiqian married her, he promised that his heart for his entire life would only rest on her, love her, respect her, grow old with her.
From then on, they acted as a loving couple, never to part.
But unexpectedly, three short years later, Wang Yiqian obeyed his parents' orders and married the Su Family's daughter. He swore to her that his mind had not changed; he just wanted to save the family business, and he promised her he would never marry anyone else from now on.
Well, it was the decree of the parents, he had no choice, she believed it then!
She was just a lowly courtesan, what could she do? Fate was like duckweed, never under her control.
Miss Su would come to create a scene every day, she was helpless.
She had no father, no mother, no one she could rely on!
Miss Su was the legal wife, she was just a concubine without a title or status, only having a love from a man that could change at any moment.
He wouldn't even come to her rescue, he probably no longer loved her! Those initial promises were all lies!
But love is so complicated; she cursed him with her mouth yet found reasons for him in her heart.
She convinced herself that Wang Yiqian loved her, as long as she had Wang Yiqian's love, she was still lucky, at least someone cared for her.
But then she thought of Wang Yiqian marrying Miss Su and changing his heart, she gritted her teeth in anger, she should never have believed his words back then.
She never thought that the person who would reveal the entire truth to her was none other than Miss Su, who came to create a scene every day!
Du Yan thought maybe she said it just to prevent her from getting close to Wang Yiqian again, a crafty ruse.