Noble Slave

Feng Lingyin had promised to marry Mu Shao, but less than a month later, she broke off the engagement and turned around to become the Crown Prince's concubine, his most favored woman in the Eastern Palace.

When the Crown Prince was executed, she became a government slave. Mu Shao, once one of the Crown Prince's subordinates and now a meritorious supporter of the new ruler, took her into his residence as his bedchamber attendant.

Later, the man grew addicted to her charms and promised to raise her to the rank of concubine one day.

Feng Lingyin did not want to be a concubine.

The man laughed down at her from his lofty position. "People should learn to be content."

Feng Lingyin softly replied, "Yes," and never brought it up again.

One day, while the household was entertaining guests, a foreign prince took a fancy to Feng Lingyin and asked Mu Shao for her.

Mu Shao smiled and chatted as if nothing were amiss. "Of course."

"But I never force anyone. We should ask her whether she's willing to go with you."

He held his wine cup and glanced down at her.

But Feng Lingyin lifted her smiling eyes and said to the foreign prince, "Of course I'm willing."

Theme: How could sparrows understand the ambitions of a swan?