Jade in Hand, Pearls Hidden Within

They said, "Fengyi, you have to leave. Take it with you, and go far away."

Fengyi's eyes filled with tears, but where was she supposed to go?

They said again, "Head west, toward Changqian. Find the person who can protect you."

Fengyi nodded, tucked her bundle away, and slipped out into the night, not daring to stop for a single step.

She was even more afraid to look back.

She ran faster and faster, until even the fear trembling in her heart was left behind.

Her usually gorgeous gowns trailed along the ground, their layers of heavy, elaborate fabric now shackles weighing her down.

It was no surprise that she took a hard fall.

Stars flashed before her eyes as she landed in front of someone.

Both knees were bruised, and they hurt terribly.

"How pitiful..."

A faint, mocking chuckle sounded beside her ear.

She struggled to lift her head. Through the darkness, she could barely make out a tall, slender figure. Moonlight revealed a pair of dark eyes, and a gaze that seemed to fall upon her, languid yet indifferent.

Though he said that, he made no move to help. But Fengyi could no longer afford to care. Her whole body ached, she was utterly exhausted, and the pursuers would never let her go.

So, for the first time in her life, she lowered her head and begged.

"Could... could you let me come inside and rest for a while? I'll... leave afterward..."

The young man's face showed unmistakable surprise.

He lowered his eyes and glanced at her sidelong, then smiled and stepped aside, revealing the wooden door behind him. "As long as you're not afraid, come in."

Back then, Fan Fengyi thought she was destined to wander alone from then on. To protect that priceless treasure, she would have to do far too many things against her will.

But she never imagined that the young man who had maliciously frightened her would one day reach out, lift the hem of her mud-soaked skirt, and wipe the dirt from her face.

Yesterday, she had been a pampered young lady of a noble family. Overnight, she had fallen into ruin, homeless and destitute. She had no choice but to flee west, suffering hardship along the way. Yet whenever she felt anxious and afraid, the young man's figure stood before her, shielding her from all the chaos of a troubled world.

His voice drowned out the rain of arrows overhead. His body shielded her from the merciless, bitter cold. His silent, solitary shadow stayed by her side from the capital to Changqian, protecting her day and night.

She no longer needed to beg helplessly, nor fear the ghostly shadows in desolate temples. He washed the blood from his hands and took hers, leading her step by step out of the nightmare that had haunted her soul.

She would still be Fan Fengyi.

--

Fengyi... Fengyi... May the years ahead bring you good fortune in all things.

Note:

Extremely sweet.

The political intrigue is on the level of kids playing house, and the romance has no angst.

Not a strong female lead, not a heroine-centered power fantasy!

If that's not your thing, please don't read!

Theme: Though our lives may be humble and brief, we still dare to worry over the fate of the world. Like mayflies, we face the chaos of the age together with all living beings.