Wandering Through the Clouds

[Revision Pending, Main Theme Unchanged]

Free-spirited and open-minded x a man who carries the world on his shoulders

Blurb:

A map of the realm's defenses stirs up hidden currents.

That winter, snow blanketed the roads of the capital, and lamplight glimmered like stars.

Xie Zhao only remembered her bright smile as she said to him, "Xie Ruming, I have a jar of wine. I want to share it with you."

All the suspicions and schemes of the past vanished in that moment.

Chang Kong Temple, an old locust tree, a jar of wine.

The temple was always bustling with worshippers coming and going. They prayed to the gods and Buddha, for the nation and its people, for peace and prosperity.

Who knew that it was Yun Fu who had once shed her red bridal robes and gone to war in her brother's place?

Xie Zhao: "I'll grant you what you want."

His little general should be free to live as she pleased, without constraints.

Later, Xie Zhao got the map of the realm's defenses as he wished, faked his death, and returned home, while Yun Fu's entire family was imprisoned.

"Yun Fu offers her congratulations to Your Highness, Prince Jin. May you ascend the throne one day and achieve your heart's desire."

As the contenders fought for the throne, war broke out everywhere.

This time, Yun Fu did not shed her red robes. As a woman, she commanded thousands of troops, broke through enemy formations, slew their soldiers, and defended the people and the realm.

In white robes, she rode at the head of her troops, a red-tasseled spear in hand.

One move broke through a thousand troops. One thrust held back ten thousand enemies.

Trapped in a deadly game, Yun Fu pointed her spear straight at his vital point, but only cut his hair.

"This thrust cuts your hair, repays the injury you caused me, and severs our past affection. On the battlefield, I will show you no mercy."

A red-tasseled spear broke her chains.

She surveyed the seas and the world, free to roam as she pleased.

No one could hold her back. She would roam the world.

*

Xie Zhao drove her into a hopeless situation, hoping only that she would survive by fighting her way out.

He hoped that once the realm was at peace, people would cast aside their outdated beliefs, and A Fu would gain all that she yearned for. Even if they were to cross blades one day, he would never regret their past.

And what was Yun Fu thinking when she cut his hair?

Despite her boundless resentment, she had to admit that she had fallen for him back when she danced with her spear after getting drunk.

Her life belonged to her country and its people, but her heart belonged to...

Xie Ruming.

Yun Fu: "What are you angry about now?"

Xie Zhao: "I'm angry that you cut my hair back then, but wouldn't tie the knot with me."

Yun Fu: "You're so petty. Didn't I pick up that lock of hair afterward?"

* The title comes from the internet: "Wild geese descend, empty strings fly, wings spread; mountain mists curl around the clouds in their wanderings." - Qiaoyin

* The heroine's name comes from: "Only then did I know the clouds floated above the mountain, which floated higher still." - Fu Lie, "Floating Beacon Hill" (Song Dynasty)

* The hero is Xie Zhao, courtesy name Ruming. His name comes from the idiom "bright as the sun and moon."

*

Neither the hero nor heroine is perfect. Each has their own ideals and ambitions.

The romance develops slowly at first, with a focus on their scenes together and their mutual schemes and tests. Later, their differing allegiances put them on opposing sides. They fall in love but keep their feelings hidden, respecting and admiring each other as they fight and love.

* Happy ending.

* I still prefer the title "Locking the Clouds in Their Wanderings", so I've changed it back.

Moral: Even if all things stand in my way, I will keep going.