Liang Wei

In the Long Empire, power belonged to the Emperor, his ministers, and the great noble families. Among them was the Shen family, descended from generations of generals.

Liang Wei, heir to a powerful court family, had been betrothed since childhood to the youngest child of the Shen clan. However, that child mysteriously disappeared when they were both young. No body was ever found, so the betrothal was never annulled.

Over the years, Liang Wei continued to visit the Shen residence and developed a close relationship with Shen Lian, the youngest daughter and only female in the family.

Since her sibling's disappearance, Shen Lian became the spoiled one in the house. Her parents and siblings constantly protected her. She was capricious, proud, and used to getting everything she wanted.

And he desired Liang Wei.

Shen Lian had been in love with him since she was little. She knew he was engaged to someone else, but she refused to accept that she could ever lose him.

In that society, single men and women were expected to keep their distance. A simple touch could spark rumors and ruin a noblewoman's reputation. Shen Lian knew these rules, but when it came to Liang Wei, his patience vanished.
If any young woman tried to approach him, Shen Lian would find any excuse to interrupt them.

—Liang Wei, you said you would spend the afternoon with me.

He knew it was a lie.
Even so, he never reprimanded her.
Then, one night, a messenger arrived with news that shook both families.
They had found clues that the missing person was still alive.

The old commitment could be fulfilled.

Liang Wei would have to marry someone.
who was basically a stranger

Shen Lian realized that she could lose him.
But he never lost less to someone he considered not to be family, a missing person