A bond formed beneath a loquat tree.
The loquat tree was unusual. Its leaves stretched beyond the courtyard wall, and by April or May, it was laden with golden fruit so tempting it made your mouth water.
When Ji Chen went back the next day, there were noticeably fewer fruits. He counted them on his chubby little fingers: 131 in all.
On the third day, Ji Chen stood beneath the loquat tree again. This time, he counted just 73.
Ji Chen ate until only five loquats remained on the tree. He smiled sheepishly. He was so full, how was he supposed to climb down?
Zhao Yuan used her golden feathers to lower Ji Chen safely to the ground.
Ji Chen noticed the beauty mark near the end of her eyebrow. He thought she was so pretty that he wanted to ask his mother to make her his princess consort.
When he grew up, Ji Chen mistook someone else for her. Both women had a beauty mark near the end of their eyebrows, and so began his quest to win her back.
“Don't even think about bearing my child.”
Blood poured ceaselessly from the wound in Ji Chen's back, streaming through the gaps between his fingers. Zhao Yuan's hands trembled as she held him.
Ji Chen brushed her cheek. “Forgive me. Don't leave me.” Zhao Yuan couldn't stop her tears from falling. “I forgive you. I won't leave you again. Now get up.”
“A Yuan, bear me a child.”
You are like a ray of light. I fell in love with you before I even knew it.
