What does it mean to belong to someone?

Hua Qian starts off rather light-heartedly in detailing the sheltered life of Yu Pan, a young girl of marked intelligence and capability. Although there is a touch of romance with a clearly marked out main couple, this relationship comes into conflict with the hierarchy of social standing and familial obligations. What makes this story stand out however, are the characters of Yu Pan primarily, and Yun Qie, secondly. Yu Pan is a heroine you can get behind and feel good about rooting for. She's a strong and intelligent character that far surpasses the boys she studies with, and never once questions her own worth or doubts her feelings like other female leads.

Moreover, the story toys with the idea of what it means to belong to someone, which I found interesting. What binds you to someone? What does an engagement really mean? What does it mean to be betrothed? Is it an exchange of promises? Of hearts? Of future happiness? Is it symbolic? Is it real? Is it either, or both? Is it reliable and steadfast? Or delicate and fleeting? Hua Qian subtly asks all these questions in a rather simple storyline, but really explores them with an attention that sets this manga apart.

Although it hasn't been fully scanned/translated, I highly recommend giving it a read!