Rain lashed the banana leaves, carrying sorrow.
Before the door, Zhang Wan gazed at the vast misty rain, feeling lost and desolate. Her eyes were unfocused, and from time to time she reached out to stroke her swollen belly. Only the child within could restore a little life to her gaze.
Ever since she had become old enough to remember, she had never stepped beyond the main gate or the inner doors. She stayed in her chamber all day doing needlework, until one day her mother told her she was to be married—to a young man surnamed Wang in Wang Family Village. Back then, she had hopes, shyness, and reluctance to part.
Yet she had never known what that man looked like. When he came to propose, she had to remain in her inner chamber and was not allowed outside. She knew nothing; everything was decided by her parents.
Sewing her wedding dress, embroidering, staying home and never going out.
What, exactly, was the world beyond the door like...
The auspicious day arrived. Outside, there was drumming and music. Once the red veil covered her head, she could see nothing. She followed the matchmaker closely, doing whatever she was told, then sat alone in the cold, empty bridal chamber and waited.
That night, Zhang Wan saw for the first time the man she was meant to rely on for the rest of her life.
She could not say whether she liked him or not. Since gaining awareness, she had never seen another outsider. Perhaps this was simply a woman's life—growing up muddleheaded, marrying muddleheaded. She had thought she could live out her life muddleheaded as well, but fate had too many twists and turns. The only person she had ever relied on was harmed by others...
The sky had fallen.