Shattered Stars, Sunken River Stars Drowned, Moon Unheeded

About Shattered Stars, Sunken River Stars Drowned, Moon Unheeded

Wen Ying, an orphan raised by the old Imperial Astronomer, shares a deep bond with her master's son, Shen Zhi. On his deathbed, her master entrusts Shen Zhi with her lifelong safety, and the two become engaged. Yet, on their wedding night, Shen Zhi chains her and delivers her to the Northern Rong prince to protect his cousin, Lin Yueyao, who claims a ""Phoenix Destiny."" Brutalized and branded, Wen Ying's despair deepens as Shen Zhi watches coldly. She shatters their jade pendant, severing their ties. Returned broken after a month, Wen Ying is neglected by Shen Zhi. Lin Yueyao flaunts her engagement to him, provoking Wen Ying until she coughs blood. Shen Zhi then stabs Wen Ying to take her heart's blood for Lin Yueyao, who reveals she is pregnant with Wen Ying's child. After Lin Yueyao steals her mother's heirloom, a fire traps Wen Ying, but Shen Zhi saves her, only to announce she will be sent back to the Northern Rong—a plan he endorsed. Imprisoned and blinded by Lin Yueyao, Wen Ying learns Shen Zhi had volunteered her as a substitute. On the eve of his wedding, she exposes the truth: she is the true Phoenix Destiny, and Lin Yueyao's fate was forged. Cursing Shen Zhi to ""eternal loss and damnation,"" she leaps from the observatory, secretly escaping with a servant's help. Shen Zhi uncovers Lin Yueyao's deceptions; she is executed. He resigns, descends into madness, and dies drowning. Meanwhile, Wen Ying, now a healer in a remote valley, tends to women and orphans. The past behind her, she lives peacefully for herself, her heart at rest.