After the Young Princess of Nanjiang Ran Away

[Synopsis]

In the thirty-eighth year of the Chongde era, the rivers ran clear, the seas were calm, and envoys from every land came to pay their respects.

The King of Nanjiang planned to bring his young daughter to the capital to see its splendor, and perhaps arrange a marriage alliance while he was at it.

But the little princess was rebellious to the core. She ran away halfway there, leaving a letter behind.

"If you want a marriage alliance, arrange one for yourself. I'll choose my own future husband."

The little princess took a winding route, roaming here and there. She saw misty rain over pavilions and falling flowers in Yangzhou, met dashing scholars and pretty young women, and left behind one romantic escapade after another, all of which became the talk of the town.

Once she figured enough time had passed, the little princess reluctantly left that cozy haven and said goodbye to the friends she'd whiled away her days with, heading north.

But she hadn't gone three miles before someone caught her.

The person facing her gazed at her with tender eyes and a faint smile. "You bewitched me and stole my heart, and now you think you can just leave? Keep dreaming."

The little princess struggled desperately, trying to explain (make excuses), but the other person saw right through her and sealed her lips with a kiss. Not only did they tease her until the corners of her eyes turned red, they also forced her to swallow a pill of poison.

"From now on, if you stay away from me for more than three days, your bowels will rupture and you'll die."

The little princess, who knew her way around medicine, refused to believe it and insisted on doing as she pleased. After three days, she successfully snuck away, unable to resist going back to gloat.

Instead, she saw the detestable person who'd poisoned her with blood at the corner of their lips, murmuring softly, "Silly girl, how could I bear to poison you? But without you, I can't live another moment. I might as well be dead."

The little princess cried, tears streaming down her face. "Zhezhe, don't die! I won't ever leave you again!"

The detestable person drew the little princess into their arms, lowered their eyes, and smiled faintly with colorless lips. "Good. You promised me, so you can't take it back."

Reader's Guide:

1. Sweet and mutually devoted, happy ending

2. More to be added if I think of anything

Theme: Be the brightest light.