I once took twenty knife wounds to protect my family and country, clinging to life as I held off the enemy. But Shen Yushu, the younger sister I had given my life to protect, falsely accused me of treason and caused my uncle's death. My fiancé, Xie Linchuan, believed her. He smashed the token of our love and swore he would “skin me alive and rip out my tendons.” Three years later, after Xie Linchuan stormed the enemy nation, he found a dungeon wall covered in the words “Linchuan,” carved with my finger bones. Only then did he realize I had never betrayed him. He cleared my name, but at my ashes, he took the dagger I had once given him and killed himself, holding my remains as he said, “I'm coming to be with you.” As he drew his last breath, he smiled and reached out to me. At last, in that warm light, there was no misunderstanding or separation.
