Red Silken Dreams

A woman in a white dress sat on a swing, a strip of white silk covering her eyes. The breeze swept through her dark hair. Yanhua Pavilion, once so lively, was now as silent as the grave.

A faint fragrance drifted over. Hongyan knew that Zi'an was standing behind her.

“Hong'er, do you loathe me so much? You haven't said a single word to me in a year.”

Hongyan gently rocked on the swing and replied in a calm voice,

“Is this the result you wanted?”

“It's the only way I can keep you by my side.”

“Congratulations. You did it!”

Hongyan stood up and stretched out her arms, slowly turning around and feeling her way toward the room.

Zi'an hurried forward, grabbed Hongyan's hand, and pulled her tightly into his arms.

“I can stay with you until we both fade into nothingness. We can be together for ten thousand years and more. Wouldn't that be wonderful?”

Hongyan didn't struggle. Zi'an was the Celestial Emperor, with immense magical power. All she could do was let him hold her.

Hongyan gave a cold laugh and lifted her head, as if looking at Zi'an.

“I'm a cripple now. I have no magic, no eyes, no Ye Xuan...”

“Enough! I told you not to mention him in front of me!”

Zi'an roared and shoved Hongyan away. She fell to the ground.

Hongyan laughed in despair. Zi'an had never imagined she would fall, either. He quickly crouched down and reached out to help her.

“Hong'er, I'm sorry, I, ”

He had only just taken her hand when Hongyan violently flung it away and shouted,

“What meaning is there in living like this, even if I live as long as the heavens?”

Zi'an froze in place. After a long while, Hongyan's emotions finally settled, and she felt her way up from the ground.