The Fifty-Ninth Year of Chongzhen

The empress's tears had stopped falling, but that did not mean she was no longer sad. For one thing, she did not want Li Zhe to worry about her anymore. After all, ever since she had turned around and said those words, he had held her tightly for a long time, gently stroking her head now and then as he did his best to comfort the pitiful beauty. For another, Li Zhe's words had touched her. They would turn their grief into strength and forge their swords through hardship. One day, when the giant sword plunged into the deep sea, it would tear that shark to pieces. When the keen flying blade pierced the sky, it would leave that vulture riddled with wounds...