A Thunderous Entrance, the White Moonlight Takes the Stage

Shen An felt like she'd noticed something unusual lately. She thought she'd found a special romantic prospect.

Her little guard seemed to like her, but Shen An looked down on him. She was the ninth princess of Jing, the most honored woman in the land. What was a mere guard compared to her? But the little guard really did love her. He'd go through fire and water for her without hesitation. To put it bluntly, he was a loyal dog.

Shen An had hurt him plenty, but every time, he chose to give in and let things go. Sometimes Shen An wondered if she had fallen for him, too. But in an era where power came first, she chose power without hesitation. She wanted to marry the most outstanding man in Jing: someone as impressive as the top scorer in the imperial exams, or even more capable.

But everything went wrong on her wedding day. Assassins attacked the palace. The little guard earned merit protecting her, but gave his life for his country. After Shen An married, she often woke with a start from her dreams, her heart aching. Later, among the little guard's belongings, she found a collection of autobiographical writings, preserving memories from ten thousand years ago, every little detail. It turned out there had once been a girl named Gu Qi, and the little guard had been called Gu Nanyi. They were a pair from ten thousand years ago, in love but never together.

The little guard's beloved was named Gu Qi, but she was Shen An. She had never been called Gu Qi, and she would never be Gu Qi.

"Gu Qi will always be Gu Qi."

*

Sometimes, Gu Qi thought it was awful to live so long.

She had once asked Gu Nanyi, "Gu Nanyi, I'll live longer than you. You'll definitely die before me. When you reincarnate, what if you forget me?"

Whenever Gu Nanyi heard that, he liked to flick her on the forehead.

Every time, he would say, "Even if I forget the whole world, I won't forget Gu Jinli. Gu Jinli, will you forget me?"

Gu Qi smiled and said no.

But she could no longer remember him.

*

Gu Qi was a koi, but Gu Nanyi was always wishing her a long life.

She told Gu Nanyi, "I'm a koi. I can live for a thousand years. You don't need to make wishes for me."

But he waved his hand and smiled. "Gu Jinli will bring good luck to other people in the future. But Gu Jinli, your good fortune is limited. If you give it all to other people, how will you be happy? So I'll give you half of my luck."

Gu Qi called him a fool, but that fool never came back.

*

In the sixth year after Gu Nanyi died, my favorite storyteller started telling stories again.

He tapped his clappers and spoke with great assurance.

He said, "Most hateful is the sight of white hair in this world."

"Most heartbreaking is never growing old together."

"Only I send my regards to the world, my hair white as snow."

My eyelashes fluttered. I tilted my head back, only then noticing that it was snowing.

[A husband's posthumous memoir, or it could be a wife's posthumous memoir]

*

Please note:

1. The early chapters are sweet, everyday recollections. The plot's timeline may jump around, but it won't affect your reading.

2. They are both devoted to each other, so don't worry, this is pure love.

3. The female lead is simply very conflicted. The male lead is a wonderful guide.

4. Neither of them is at fault.

Theme: Honor the past, and cherish the one you love