For some reason, it always rained when Lan Qi cried. Amidst the darkness and cold air that blew throughout the wide palace hall, she could hear nothing but the crackling of the wooden pillars which were torn apart by the robbers' axes. Lan Qi had heard of those robbers. Even though she was only fifteen years old, living in the palace, and being the Princess of an Emperor, Lan Qi did not miss out on something dangerous to the people of the palace. One of them was the robber. They had all crashed Lan Qi's fifteenth birthday party, right on the eve of the turn of winter. The peach blossoms that fell, flew freely in the air. Flooded with rain and cold air that began to ambush the night. The vernacular-style windows and doors were open. Let the wind from outside into the hall. Tables were overturned, the edges cracked or a sword stuck in them. Dead people lay strewn in front of Lan Qi. While the little girl hid behind the big chair belonging to the Emperor—her father, she covered her mo

That afternoon the forest on the hill was still too cold. Actually, yesterday's rain was enough of a sign that winter was coming. Before the tree branches were wet and filled with snow, a teenage girl enthusiastically collected tree trunks around the forest. Birds chirping to each other accompany the girl's busy life. She wore simple overalls of the only nicest clothes she had. With a thick robe given by one of her grandfather's friends, she walked through the forest while singing softly.The forest ground was slightly slippery with piles of fallen autumn leaves from last night's rain. The girl was already quite careful. She bent down, picking up thick, dry branches covered with mountains of dry, wet leaves. The wood is a little weathered, she needs time to dry it later. But when she turned around to take another step forward, between two large trees, accidentally, she seemed to step on something.Something that feels soft and hard at the same time. Cautiously, the girl turned her he

“I don't really remember…” Lan Qi clutched her dumplings tightly. Her throat suddenly turned hoarse as the flames that burned the curtains in the palace hall came to life in her image again. As the muggers raised their small bodies, shouting that they would kill her, all of them suppressed Lan Qi's lips that were ready to explain. Miss Jing's gaze turned gentle. "I don't think he's a dangerous person." Lan Qi again unwrapped the ice knife. The question is, why did the blue bowman leave this knife with her and didn't even take it with him? Lan Qi's only wish was to thank the man for saving her life twice. She doesn't know where he is now, without this knife too—can this man survive the robbers' pursuit? Lan Qi took a deep breath. “He saved me from the robbers. That night, on my birthday… they robbed our residence and destroyed part of the house. I could have died if he didn't come…” Lan Qi's voice turned to a whisper as she recalled the chaos to a halt in her heart.

Lan Qi froze for a while before Miss Jing also stopped what she was doing. The boy who called Xiao Zhun put his hands on his hips as he stared at Lan Qi, waiting for her. “I—” Instead of being suspicious, the young man stepped closer and lowered his face so that he was level with Lan Qi. "I thought you were prettier than in the paintings at the Academy." Miss Jing immediately ran out from the kitchen table and came over to the two of them. She patted Xiao Zhun's shoulder who stood up straight again. “What did you say just now? Don't be rude! She—” Xiao Zhun crossed his arms with a smile. “I'm not saying nonsense. She is definitely Princess Li Ming.” It was Lan Qi's turn to open her mouth. "I'm not Princess Li Ming!" she exclaimed. “Xiao Zhun, you stopped by my stall just to pick up one steamed bun. Don't irritate my new friend." "New friend?" Xiao Zhun had narrow eyes that were sharp like an eagle's. His lips were tucked into a thin smile. “I'm sorry Your Highn

“Mother…” the word sounded bitter in Lan Qi's mouth. She fell to her knees, with her knees hitting the grass beneath her. As if her soul had crashed into the earth, Lan Qi was struck by the reality she had just heard. Empress Na Xing had sent her back to the Palace but not as Princess Li Ming. But as a slave because after her father's death, she is worthless. What do they mean? What does Mother mean—One of the bodyguards approached and grabbed Lan Qi's limp hand. But Xiao Zhun immediately brushed it off.“Lan Qi watch out—” before Xiao Zhun's sword lifted from her waist, Lan Qi quickly restrained the young man. “Enough,” Lan Qi said almost in a whisper. Her eyes were blurry. Her breath was labored and her mind was too empty to decide anything. All that was in her throat was a lump of emotion from the question that exploded as if demanding an answer. Xiao Zhun lowered his head, his brow furrowed in worry as his gaze dived into Lan Qi's thoughts. Without Lan Qi needing to e