Fu Mingji brings home a pitiful young woman, one who nearly burned to death in the fire that wiped out her entire family.
She has the classic beauty of a Jiangnan woman, so lovely that people can't help feeling sorry for her, yet she gives off an aura that warns everyone to keep their distance.
Fu Mingji furrows his brow and counts on his fingers, deciding that something doesn't add up.
But the pitiful young woman looks like a fragile flower who hasn't yet recovered from the grief of losing her family, Fu Mingji thinks as he looks at the gleaming black needle he has just fished out of his porridge.
Perhaps the court is in turmoil, and someone has set their sights on him. Fu Mingji lies awake, staring at the gleaming dagger beside his bed.
Or could it be...
"Miss, how are you feeling today? Are you feeling any better?" The maid, Hesu, pours Bo Yu a cup of hot tea with concern.
Bo Yu stares blankly at the parasol tree in front of her. Even after the tea goes cold, she doesn't respond.
Hesu sighs and replaces the cold tea with a fresh, hot cup. "Miss, did you have another nightmare last night?"
Bo Yu nods. It wasn't exactly a nightmare. She just stood all night and felt a little tired.
"Fu Mingji, go and die for a bit."
"A matter of life and death. Surely you should give me a little something in return, Miss?"
"This is for the good of the people..."
"The affairs of the world have their own fate. I don't care."
Theme: Building peace amid turmoil
Yay! Looks good, follow up with squatting