[Young Emperor and Empress / Five-year age gap / Older woman-younger man romance / Cool-headed, resourceful heroine x young emperor, devoted romantic hero]
As a child, Lin Chuanxing once met Feng He. At the time, she was the designated crown princess and future empress.
The young lady was elegant and poised, and he couldn't help taking another look.
With a bone fan in hand, she tapped him lightly on the forehead, as if in warning. "What a pity that not everyone can reach the moon in the sky."
Lin Chuanxing chuckled at the thought. How could he dare hope the moon would look kindly on him? He had never dreamed of having any connection with her. How could a son of the imperial clan dare covet the eldest daughter of the Yu family, whose women had served as empresses for generations? Then the crown prince died, and Lin became a puppet emperor. He did reach that bright moon, but she had no wish to become his guiding light.
She knelt below the raised platform and asked him to let her go.
The young emperor looked up. In his eyes, a crescent moon reflected the crabapple blossoms filling the courtyard. "Where do you want to go?"
She said she wanted to seek out her guiding light.
He pressed her. If someone else was her guiding light, what was he to her?
She lowered her forehead to the ground and bowed, her clothes neatly arranged, adopting the humble posture customary at court. "Your Majesty is the guiding light of the people of Hua, but not the guiding light of your consort alone."
He granted her wish. At the time, he only thought that no one would be left to climb trees and catch crickets with him.
The distant mountains faded into the mist. She took with her the last breath of life from the high-walled inner palace. The crabapple blossoms fell, leaving him alone to struggle amid the shifting tides of power.
She stayed away from the capital for five years. When they met again, the young emperor had grown into a graceful young man, and Yu Fenghe did not recognize him.
A hairpin swayed beside her ear. Though they were so far apart, the jingling seemed deafening to him.
Her reflection filled his eyes. In her gauzy dress, she was as poised and graceful as ever. She was still the same Yu Fenghe.
Something seemed to bloom within him. The treasures one couldn't obtain as a child are often only more coveted once one has grown up.
When she recognized him, Yu Fenghe felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy. Scenes from her youth flashed through her mind: persuading the young emperor to climb jujube trees, sneak out of the palace, and play at catching crickets. She was sure her days were numbered.
Lin Chuanxing only gazed at her, his smile unreadable. "Yu Fenghe, long time no see."
In the quiet, she heard the young emperor ask, "Have you found your guiding light?"
"It went out."
"Then let me be your everlasting light."
Theme: To be added
