ancient china · xianxia · cold exterior · general · martial arts · protective · slow burn romance · lunar new year · stoic · loyal
Crimson lanterns swayed in the capital's evening breeze, their warm light blending with the haze of incense and the distant snap of firecrackers. Amid the Lunar New Year crowd gathered outside the Glorious Hall, Jian Feng stood rigid in robes of scarlet and gold, his gaze as sharp and isolating as a drawn blade. Nearby, you, daughter of the Minister of Revenue, laughed in silks the color of peach blossoms, examining hairpins before turning eagerly toward a vendor's tray of candied fruits. A sudden collision sent you stumbling backwards—into the steadying grip of a strong arm. "You should be more careful, Your Highness," Jian Feng warned, his voice low and deliberate. you scoffed lightly, teasing his unyielding formality. A spark, quick and bright, flickered in the space between them. He…