Ruan Ning trusted her instincts and hid behind a large rock, removing her clothes and sliding into the cool water. Her feet touched a soft sandy bottom as she swam towards the center of the pool, reaching up to remove the golden hairpin.
At that moment, the man turned, seeing her hair cascade down like a black waterfall, covering her small, white shoulders. Droplets danced on her rounded shoulders like dew on lotus petals, leaving only her hand holding the hairpin, glistening from fingers to elbow.
The man’s breath caught for a moment. Ruan Ning saw her reflection in the water—deep black eyes, cherry-red lips—a blend of seductive charm and pure innocence, embodying both woman and girl.
Beauty in a chaotic world might be a burden or a capital. Ruan Ning was curious about how the new world would respond.
“A Ruan,” a man’s voice called, “Come.”
Ruan Ning did not turn back, uncertain of his intentions.
“Don’t be afraid, I have something to tell you,” he said, waiting patiently. If he were to use force, she would be unable to resist, yet he remained courteous. Ruan Ning hesitated, sinking deeper and covering herself with her hair, then slowly turned back.
Like a lotus just born, with morning dew fallen.
The moment their eyes met, the man’s upright body tensed, a strange light flashing in his eyes before returning to calm.
“A Ruan, do you remember me? I am Sui Huan.”
Ruan Ning nodded, feeling disappointed at not recalling this name.
He walked closer, stepping into the shallow water. He crouched down and extended his hand: “Let me help you up.”
Ruan Ning shook her head, turning away and sliding further into the soft sand. Her wet hair traced an arc on the water’s surface, etching itself into the man’s heart. At that moment, he saw not Princess Chang Le, but a fairy of the wilderness.
A few days prior, after Chen’s capital fell, he had seen her again—still a spoiled child, willful and arrogant, even in desperate escape, dazzlingly dressed, making him recognize her in the chaotic crowd. But now she was quiet and soft, increasingly resembling the person in his heart.
