He was a poplar from the northern lands, but his seed fell into a crack in the rocks.
She was a graceful willow from the Zhangtai district, but her sapling was planted within palace walls.
He was a boy everyone could bully, with sharp intensity in his eyes and brows.
She was a princess, doted on by all, who showed him her kindest, most innocent smile.
The poplar roared fearlessly amid thunder and lightning.
The willow trembled helplessly amid blades of wind and frost.
He was drawn into a heart-stopping game with rules far too cruel.
She threw herself into a web of love and hate, left utterly broken when it was over.
In the end, he became the winner of the game. He won the world, but lost her.
The poplar reached toward the heavens, caressing the clouds.
The willow leaves fell silently, scattered by the wind.
He remained a noble king, bearing a name that would make history proud.
Spoiled by heaven, he hid only loneliness in his eyes.
She, however, became a lowly musician, her heart and hopes left in tatters.
She gave everything, only to be forgotten forever.
In the end, all she hoped for was emptiness, all she called for was the wind, all she remembered was pain, and all she waited for were dreams.
The history we can see unfolds methodically in the sunlight, without a stir.
The history we cannot see rages unchecked in the dark of night, stirring the heart.
Under the Qing emperors Kangxi and Qianlong, the empire stood at its height.
The last great flourishing of an Eastern feudal dynasty.
At the far end of a magnificent sunset, atop the grand Forbidden City.
A dazzling night of splendor, where songs sang of love and hate.
It has already begun...
Special notes:
1. This is not a historical account, just a story. I have referred to historical records while inventing most of the details, and have also made appropriate changes and inventions regarding the personalities of famous historical figures.
2. Everything uploaded so far is a first draft, so it is rough around the edges, and updates will be very, very slow. I hope you'll understand.
3. My one promise is that I will never abandon this story. Once I have the general shape of it, I will revise it repeatedly. All feedback and ideas are welcome, and feel free to point out any errors.
4. I'm hard at work, so the story is locked.
A trailer I made for practice: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/t0TY-Lje3iw/
