Beneath the iron firmament, two massive boulders rumbled past, casting mottled shadows over the young man that rippled across his robes. He bent to evade an overhead rail then strode toward Jiang Kui.   Jiang Kui scoffed lightly. “Zhu Zian, we haven’t yet settled the last debt between us.”   Zhu Zian wore a loose…

Eastern Palace, lotus pond   The qin song ceased and the burbling waters sounded clearer.   A pair of swans took wing, flapping white feathers over the surface tracing dual criss-crossing trails.   Lu Yi stood waiting to one side. “Your Highness, the guards report Princess Yao has come to eavesdrop again. Should I have…

Suddenly, a book smacked Jiang Kui squarely in the forehead.   Amid the fluttering pages, she blankly looked around clutching the book, just as the tutor’s voice rang out, “Miss Jiang, please answer.”   Jiang Kui realized the tutor had noticed her inattention and called on her to reply. She had no choice but to…

A faint scent drifted through the ornate chamber as a wisp of osmanthus grazed Jiang Kui’s nose.   She blinked. “What secret?”   Consort Tong glanced around to ensure no one else was present before whispering, “Despite being Crown Prince, Xie Wuyang cannot inherit the throne.”   Jiang Kui was taken aback. “Why not?”  …

Jiang Kui performed the return courtesies at the jade steps.  A gust of wind blew, stirring up her dark tresses and fluttering her sleeves.   Backlit, she could not see the person’s face clearly, only the serene figure of the young nobleman on the high platform, outlined by the sunlight in deep crimson red and…

Jiang Kui stirred awake again from renewed noises outside:   “By imperial decree, we humbly request your lady’s agreement on an auspicious date.”   “This servant obeys the command to prepare my daughter and await further notice from the imperial storehouses. I dare not decline.”   “We announce to Grand Marshal Jiang Chengzhi that by…

East Corner Street, moonlight like threads. A spirited young girl, leading a group of beggars, swept through the entrance of the wine shop like a cluster of swirling clouds. The sound of footsteps mixed with the clinking of various sized wine vessels in the shop.   The owner of the wine shop glanced indifferently, then…

“A crisp sound, like the snap of awakening, pierced through the night.   ‘In the adventurous journey of Chang’an, tales of righteous deeds and revenge unfold.’   At the corner of Dongjiaolou Street, in the central part of a bookshop, a carved mahogany table was set. People crowded around it, and behind the table sat…

The imperial palace lay directly north of Chang’an City, overlooking the people below like the North Star.   Clip-clopping hooves echoed as Jiang Kui sat within a small azure-colored sedan chair, traveling along the winding imperial thoroughfare toward the palace. She secretly lifted a corner of the brocade curtain, glimpsing outside the soaring palace walls…

Qu River Pond lies southeast of Chang’an City. Its winding waters resemble a river, hence the name Qu River. (T/N: Qu / ? means winding.)   A thousand white lotuses bloom in the pond. Surrounding banks grow ten thousand willow branches. When summer peaks, aquatic plants flourish vibrantly amidst abundant shade.   On the night…