The Knowing Sparrow

In the twelfth year of the Shanwu era, two things became the talk of the town among the people of Yangcheng.

First, Cui Lanshu, born into a family of military officers, gave up the sword for the pen and came first in the palace examinations. On the day the results were announced, a flower pinned to his chest, he rode through the streets of Yangcheng. Petals fell all over his robes, and the handsome young top scholar captured the hearts of countless girls.

Second, the day after the results were announced, the top scholar himself knelt outside the Prince Qing's residence, asking to marry Zhuang Zhiyu, the eldest legitimate daughter of Prince Qing and the daughter of Cui Yu's direct superior.

For the sake of her father's words, "A civil official is fine. It doesn't matter if his family background is humble, as long as he treats you well," Zhuang Zhiyu somehow ended up marrying Cui Lanshu.

She wasn't a fool.

She still remembered that bright, sunny day. Through the doorway, the young man's dark eyes had held nothing but steadfast devotion and admiration. That had been real.

But, well.

After three years of marriage, who knew when "a moment's flutter" had turned into "I wish I'd never done it"? The cinnabar mole had truly, unfortunately, become a mosquito smear.

On the day Cui Lanshu was promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue, friends and relatives crowded their home. Her old friends from the inner quarters beamed as they congratulated Zhuang Zhiyu on having placed her bet wisely.

Only Zhuang Zhiyu spent the night awake.

At dawn, when the rooster crowed, she rose with bloodshot eyes from staying up all night, poured herself a cup of yesterday's cold tea, and drank it. Then, as Cui Lanshu prepared his court robes for the morning audience, she said calmly, "Let's divorce."

One year after their divorce.

On the day the Dragon raised its head, a rumor spread through every street and alley of Yangcheng: Luo Que, captain of the guards at Prince Qing's residence, had become a sparrow that had flown to the top of a branch, and was about to marry Wen Ning, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites.

When she heard the news, Zhuang Zhiyu froze for a moment.

She turned to look at the person crouched in the parasol tree in her courtyard. He wore the plain black uniform of an ordinary guard. His rough hand, more used to wielding a sword, was cushioned by a handkerchief from who knew where, and carefully held a tiny fledgling. With a solemn expression, the young man respectfully returned the bird to its nest.

The Yanshui sword he never went anywhere without lay casually beside Zhuang Zhiyu.

She reached into her pocket and realized that her favorite handkerchief, the one she had been carrying around lately, had mysteriously disappeared.

Zhuang Zhiyu: "..."

*

Zhuang Zhiyu's eventful life included two marriages: one to a chuuni, sword-obsessed young guard who was absolutely loyal, and one to a dog who regretted losing her too late.

That could just about count as having the best of both worlds, civil and military.

Wonderful.

Important Reading Guide

1. The heroine really did marry someone she loved.

2. I know my writing isn't good enough to warrant a series, but I insisted on writing one anyway. I've already scolded myself, so please don't offer writing advice.

Theme: Since time immemorial, childhood sweethearts have always been the bane of newcomers.