Caged Sparrow

The cage stands empty, the bird has flown, and the road ahead stretches far. “Coming of age | Cunning | Harem intrigue | Freedom | Open ending” Hengning and Yan Xue's vows of eternal love could not withstand a single imperial decree appointing him Crown Prince. The layers of palace gates separated more than their youthful affection: they also shut away all her dreams of freedom. The emperor's suspicions followed her like a shadow. Her father fell from the heights into ruin, and her family was tossed about by the storm. After more than a decade within the palace walls, hatred became the beak with which she pecked open her shackles. Yet amid the daily turmoil with Yan Li, a twisted dependence took root: the instinctive response of a caged bird to its keeper, never a willing choice to remain in the cage. Amid the smoke and chaos of the imperial city, she raised her blade and cleaved through the final bars. When Yan Li's head fell, her hand shook around the blade. It wasn't mercy, just the shuddering reflex left by a life in captivity. Ahead, Yan Xue waited with two fine horses, ready to ride with her toward the distant horizon.