When the Grass Grows and Orioles Fly

"Three feet of snow at San Pass, in dreams I return to the old mandarin-duck loom."

Li Shangyin

At first, Bai Xue was just as her name suggested: innocent and pure. She knew nothing of the power struggles among her imperial brothers. She loved to wander and play, and was lucky enough to find Shen Yuan in the woods.

"Shen Yuan can walk on walls and leap over rooftops," the little girl Bai Xue said.

"Shen Yuan can cook all the dishes in the Eastern Kitchen," the little girl Bai Xue said.

"Shen Yuan is like... like... like Mother," the little girl Bai Xue said.

But in the end, ink must stain the white paper. The dangers of court and the treachery of the human heart grew ever clearer. The little girl nearly lost her eyes, and both her parents were killed.

"Shen Yuan, practice swordplay with me," said Commandery Princess Bai Xue.

"Shen Yuan, tell me, does that person deserve to die?" said Commandery Princess Bai Xue.

"Shen Yuan, I have many enemies. Take this travel money and go, as far away as you can," said Commandery Princess Bai Xue.

Shen Yuan, who had stayed silent from beginning to end, finally spoke when she heard those words: "Master, do you remember what I told you at the beginning? 'I will protect you and keep you safe for all my life.'"

Theme: The journey of a naive sweetheart becoming a cunning and ruthless woman