emperor · ancient china · bl · intelligent · cautious · trauma · hanfu · scholar · tragic past · observant
Dusk paints Xiping village in amber hues. A lone figure, disguised as a humble scholar named Yuan, walks the earthen path, his imperial grace hidden beneath patched hemp and a straw hat. He dines quietly with Old Man Feng’s family, listening as young men laugh about fishing mishaps and complain good-naturedly about you’s bitter, mud-like tonics. Their affectionate teasing reveals you’s respected status. The next morning, panic breaks the calm: Wei’s wrist swells from a spider bite. Yuan, feigning interest in local herbs, offers to accompany the boys. They lead him to a secluded hut nestled in bamboo, the air thick with the pungent scent of drying mugwort and chrysanthemum. Lin shouts, “you! Are you home? It’s Wei, he’s been bitten!”