The Song of Returning the Jade Pendant

[Main story complete. This was a writing exercise, so please be kind. I’ll revise it gradually.]

[My other novel, Sword Rain Tower, is now underway. The blurb is at the bottom of the description. Please add it to your collections. I really need the support! :)]

-

One zither, one painting, one prophetic decree, and the court is thrown into chaos. From then on, two hearts are torn apart.

They meet again amid the misty spring rain and apricot blossoms of Jiangnan. Xie Yuqiao and Song Yun'e gaze at each other across a tower. Amid the storm, the fine rain cannot wash away the dust of the past.

Moss covers the tower stairs. With every step, a year passes; with every step, a heart is laid bare.

By the crackling candlelight, Xie Yuqiao seems to glimpse the young man from years ago, standing in the court hall with snow and wind whitening his clothes, gazing at her with the same gentle eyes.

In the firelight, they once saw straight into each other’s hearts.

Back then, Song Yun'e once devised a plan for the realm, all to win one person.

He wanted her to have all her wishes fulfilled, and to live in peace and joy for the rest of her life.

-

A little extra, also known as My Husband Is So Jealous

One day, Xie Yuqiao receives a letter from the capital.

She has no intention of opening it, but a certain laid-back prince, who is chopping wood nearby, somehow comes over and clutches his chest, looking utterly pitiful.

Xie Yuqiao: What are you acting out now?

Song Yun'e: My shoulder hurts.

Xie Yuqiao: ...Your Highness, perhaps you should take a closer look. You’re clutching your own fragile heart!

The one who has been found out isn’t annoyed. He simply shifts his hand to a different spot and keeps clutching himself until Xie Yuqiao puts the letter away in a box.

Song Yun'e, who never leaves her side: My lady, you’ve already claimed one of life’s four great joys.

Xie Yuqiao, confused: Hm?

Song Yun'e, full of schemes: You’ve claimed the joy of passing the imperial examinations. So shouldn’t I claim one, too?

Xie Yuqiao has always been softhearted, so she grants his wish.

[There is no palace or household intrigue in this novel. The first five chapters lay the groundwork, and the pace is brisk. The protagonists reunite in the martial world in Chapter Six, and the main plot begins. If you enjoy political maneuvering, plot twists, and adventures in the martial world, give it a try.]

*Reader's guide:

1. Female lead: Xie Yuqiao. Male lead: Song Yun'e. (Inspired by: The sound of jade striking ice rings on, while clouds cannot hold back the sky.)

2. Two strong leads, sweet romance, both pretending to be weak while hiding their strength, one-on-one, both leads' first relationship, happy ending.

3. The imperial court and the martial world. Many liberties have been taken, so please don’t read too much into it.

----- A manually added preview of an upcoming novel -----

Sword Rain Tower, a wuxia story set in the martial world, featuring an older woman and a younger man. Sixteen thousand words posted so far.

Blurb:

He was locked underground. That day, the Rakshasa Hall was dark and chilling. She raised his chin with her fingertips and laid a gentle kiss on his lips.

Later, when his beautiful dream came to nothing, the flame of her candle burned through all the turmoil in his heart.

[Romance]

An octagonal tower, misty rain passing by, fog rising over green mountains, and a jade wind chime ringing sweetly in the breeze.

She stood on the eaves, a Bamboo Rain sword in her arms, her white gauze robes damp against her. Rain fell, shrouding the mountain in mist, and she was a lone crane amid the peaks.

He lowered his eyes, ten paces behind her, lurking like a blade hidden in the deepest shadows.

The mountains, the shadowy tower, her warm fragrance and gentle beauty were a lovely dream he tossed and turned over, yet could never have.

That day, she ventured alone into a sea of blood, the Bamboo Rain sword gleaming coldly blue. Amid the gore, a pair of soft, cool hands took his, and he caught the clear, fresh scent of plants.

For years afterward, he devoted himself to the crane, to the cloud-wreathed mountain, all for the sake of the person before him.

So she might turn back and look at him once.

[Plot]

Ten years ago, Sword Rain Tower gained a cold-faced female master. She was only eighteen when she destroyed the Linshan Sect single-handedly with her sword, then took in a half-grown boy of twelve, the sect leader’s adopted son. From then on, she raised him by her side.

He became her dog, coming whenever she called, and her hawk, pecking at flesh and bone.

Ten years later, martial artists from far and wide came out to compete for a copy of The Sword Spirit Manual.

The bodyguard who had always obeyed the female master’s every command suddenly revealed his sharp edge, seized The Sword Spirit Manual, killed his master, and took the highest position in Sword Rain Tower.

Later...

Weeds spread across the stone bridge, in a place no one knew about.

Dressed in black, he gazed at the shadow of the Bamboo Rain sword and murmured, “Elder Sister.”

“I would give my life to become your blade and bow my head in submission.”

**I also have an upcoming novel that hasn’t launched yet, The Beauty Paints the Skin, Not the Heart, featuring an ascetic monk and a noble family’s daughter. Please add it to your collections~

Theme: May the land be peaceful and the people safe