The air stilled for a moment.   The person beside her hesitated briefly.   “Mm,” he murmured softly.   A tautly strung chord, tense for years, unexpectedly slackens.   Thus with eyes shut she slowly leans into him. Her head comes to rest feather-light upon his shoulder, soft hair brushing his earlobe, stirring a gentle…

Autumnal dawn streamed between the parted bed curtains, spilling warm golden light across the room.   Having rushed about all of yesterday, Jiang Kui slept extremely soundly until brightness suffused outside. After lazily washing up, she trod upon the scattered gold and crimson leaves on her way to the West Wing Hall to visit Xie…

Xie Wuyang gazed earnestly at Jiang Kui, a hint of probing buried within his look.   As expected, he resembled someone recently recovered from dire illness. He had probably just awakened shortly before she administered the medicine, thus still appeared somewhat fatigued and frail. Disheveled fringe spilled over his shoulders lending a pitiable air.  …

Zhu Zi’an stood in the doorway watching Jiang Kui for a while.   His tranquil amber eyes gazed at her moonlit visage, trailing from her brow to her jawline before lingering amidst her lunar-haloed hair. He observed her very attentively as if engraving her into memory.   The lovely maiden before him didn’t notice at…

Clutching an medicine jar, Jiang Kui secretly scaled the palace walls and headed for the Eternal Joy Quarter.   First she went to the bookstore to pass a letter for Zhu Zi’an. He wasn’t at the shop today which wasn’t unusual since he seldom appears there in daylight. They always arrange nighttime meetings.   Upon…

Jiang Kui suddenly had a premonition that Xie Wuyan would sleep for a very long time this round.   She propped up his unconscious form to lean against the carriage wall, covering him with a fur blanket. She then tucked a warming brazier beneath the blankets. His breathing was very shallow and his entire body…

There was a moment of silence amidst the forest leaves as the two looked at each other.   Princess Yongjia faintly smiled, “Ruoheng, you’ve lost weight.”   Behind her, a lady attendant loudly announced, “Everyone, lay down your weapons! Those who disobey will be executed without exception!”   The cavalry troops immediately advanced in neat,…

The white deer kneels and bows, appearing almost godlike.   Amidst the boundless mountain breeze Xie Wuyang slowly rises and returns the bow.   Man and deer gaze at each other beneath the luminous dawn. For that moment amidst heaven and earth, all falls silent. As if from beyond, the faint sound of flowing water…

Amidst the mountains and wilderness, a wind rustles through the trees, stirring up a flurry of falling leaves.   Assassins emerge and quickly surround an open space up ahead. Following the tracks of two horses, they close in on a deep crimson figure – the color reserved for the Crown Prince.   Taking advantage of…

Not long after Xie Min’s entourage had left, Pei Yue pushed him away and struggled out of his embrace.   “My lady, be careful,” Xie Min reached out to steady her.   “What an act,” Pei Yue batted his hand away and nimbly landed on the ground. She took the reins handed over by an…