Fierce West Wind

Yang Huan went to Linzhou Prefecture three times in her life.

The first time, she was still an official of the Daye Empire, traveling with a grand diplomatic delegation and witnessing the wealth and splendor of the neighboring kingdom of Dayue along the way.

"Daye is in danger." Her heart skipped a beat.

The second time, she was a prisoner, wearing a cangue and shackles as she marched with another vast group, this time of captured soldiers. Blindfolded, she was taken into Dayue's imperial palace.

Dayue was still Dayue, but the familiar palace had quietly changed hands. The new emperor, who had usurped the throne by murdering his sovereign, sat on the dragon throne and smiled gently at her. "Hongni, it's been a long time."

Even though his voice had changed completely, even though she couldn't see what he looked like now, she recognized him at once. "So it was you."

"Yes, it's me. Do you regret it, Hongni? You shouldn't have saved me back then."

He kept her confined in the palace for ten whole years.

Ten years later, turmoil broke out in Linzhou, and she seized the chance to escape.

The next time she heard news of him, he had been defeated and taken his own life. His body lay in the middle of the great hall, and no one dared approach it.

She went to collect his body, accompanied by a young girl with a red ribbon tied around her head.

"Grand Tutor, does this mean the realm belongs to us now?" the girl asked, looking up at her with clear eyes full of affection.

"Yes." She smiled and stroked the girl's hair. "It belongs to us now, Your Majesty."

Cover art by artist Zhijiu Susu

Theme: Love my land