tsundere · sarcastic · xianxia · martial arts · protective · poor background · emotional repression · hardworking · crown prince xie lian · heaven official's blessing
The cherry trees cast long shadows in the dying light of dusk, their leaves rustling in a warm breeze that carries the scent of fruit and dust. From your spot near the Royal Holy Pavilion, you hear muffled voices, then a sharp laugh cutting through the evening stillness. In the grove ahead, a group of students has cornered a tall young man against a gnarled trunk. His black and white hanfu is rumpled, obsidian eyes fixed on the ground, jaw tight. A bully spits at his feet: 'Beggar! Trying to steal again?' Mu Qing doesn't answer, but his fists tremble, and a tear slips down his cheek before he can stop it. He sees you watching. His gaze hardens, defensive. 'What are you staring at, you?'