Little Pillow

Synopsis: There was one person Jiang Mingzhu had wronged— Ling Suijin, the son of the Minister of Justice. A young man as pure and clear as a mountain stream. Jiang Mingzhu’s father had been the magistrate of Songqing County. Their family of four lived modestly, but their home was warm and happy. Five years ago, a great upheaval shook the imperial court. A major criminal case implicated countless people, and her father was falsely accused and unjustly executed. Overnight, her father was dead, her young brother was exiled to Lingzhou, and her mother, unable to bear the devastating blow, fell ill and passed away. Before her death, her mother clasped Mingzhu’s hand, tears streaming down her face. “My child, Mother is sorry. I won’t live to see you grow up and marry. You must take good care of yourself. Live well, and one day, bring your little brother home.” And so, Mingzhu went to the capital. She knew that if she wanted to bring her brother home, she would first have to clear her father’s name. But who would care about the innocence of a lowly seventh-rank official? Who would willingly risk their position to reopen a case long since buried? There was only one person with the authority to do so: the newly appointed Minister of Justice. If only he could be persuaded. Mingzhu entered Nanxun Pavilion, where her beauty and talents quickly earned her a reputation. Before long, she succeeded in making the minister’s acquaintance. When the time was finally ripe, she put her carefully laid plan into motion. She intended to offer herself to him, using intimacy to secure his favor. But the plan failed. Or rather, something unexpected happened. The person who drank the cup of drugged wine was not the minister, but his son, who had come to persuade his father to return home. Ling Suijin. The very young man whom the emperor had personally named Tanhualang, the third-highest scholar in that year’s imperial examinations. Ling Suijin was a gentleman of rare integrity, as bright and openhearted as a clear sky after rain, as refined as polished jade. He never once suspected Mingzhu of scheming against him. Believing he had simply become drunk without realizing it, he took full responsibility for everything. He married her properly, with all the rites and ceremony befitting a lawful wife, and welcomed her into his family. In a way, Mingzhu had achieved what she wanted. Even if everyone in the Ling household despised her. After her father’s name was finally cleared, Mingzhu packed her belongings and prepared to leave the capital. At the farewell pavilion, she encountered Ling Suijin. The young man broke off a willow branch to see her on her way. He asked whether she had enough money for the journey, whether she wanted him to arrange an escort, whether she knew anyone in Lingzhou. He reminded her to be especially careful when choosing places to stay along the road, and went on with one concern after another. Mingzhu listened before finally saying, “I deceived you.” Ling Suijin merely smiled. “I’ve known for a long time. But I don’t blame you. I like you very much. And I know you don’t feel the same way about me, so I’m letting you go.” Mingzhu thought that was where her story with Ling Suijin would end. But three years later, Minister Ling suddenly fell from power on charges of corruption. The entire Ling household was seized, and the family’s property confiscated. Because Ling Suijin held an official post of his own, he was spared exile. Instead, he was subjected to torture, stripped of his position, and expelled from the capital. And Mingzhu saw him again. His body was ravaged by illness and pain. He had lost his sight. Gone was the brilliant young man of years past, once as radiant as the moon, so full of confidence and youthful spirit. Mingzhu brought him home and cared for him with painstaking tenderness. But when he awoke, the cheerful, lively young man she remembered had become quiet and withdrawn, consumed by feelings of inadequacy and a darkness he could not escape. He was forever trying to leave. The next time Mingzhu went looking for him, she found him by the river. She gathered the broken Ling Suijin tightly into her arms. Then, turning to her younger brother, who had hurried to join them, she said, “This is your brother-in-law. You must respect him for the rest of your life.” — Description from novelcodex.orgFull novel: Little Pillow — read the rest free on N​o⁠v​e⁠l​C⁠o​d⁠e​x⁠.​o⁠r​g⁠