the cat in emperor's arms

deep sleep

Tenth Year of the Longshuo Era.

Yunlu Temple, atop Yunlu Mountain, was shrouded in thick mist, with the cries of cranes echoing in the clear sky.

A purple incense burner emitted curling smoke, and on a bamboo couch in front of the temple's main hall lay a delicate young lady, pale and unconscious. Kneeling on the ground beside her was a maid, holding a letter with a nervous expression.

On a meditation mat sat a monk, eyes closed in quiet meditation.

For a moment, the only sounds were the rhythmic tapping of a wooden fish in the outer hall and the clear chanting of disciples.

After a long time, the monk slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the young lady. Finally, he sighed softly, "It is fate... I foresaw that this calamity would come."

This monk, dressed in grey robes, was the elusive and renowned Master Shangxiao.

The maid, Bai Jiu, raised her head to look at him, clutching the corner of the letter tightly, her voice trembling: "Master, can you save my lady?"

"My lady has been frail since childhood. If it weren't for the fear that she might lose her life this time, we wouldn't have come to trouble you, Master..."

Shangxiao closed his eyes, fingering his prayer beads, and finally nodded, "I understand."

"An old promise must be fulfilled today."

When he opened his eyes again, his grey pupils were as calm as a still well. Shangxiao slowly continued, "In three years, you may send servants to the mountain to bring your lady home. During this time, I will stay here to heal her, but someone will need to look after her."

"No relatives or acquaintances from the secular world may visit her within these three years."

Bai Jiu, kneeling on the steps, was already in tears, repeatedly bowing in gratitude: "Thank you, Master! Thank you! Bai Jiu is eternally grateful on behalf of my lady!"

"Soon, I will have other monks come to arrange for your lady's care." After speaking, Shangxiao rose and left.

Bai Jiu felt immense relief in her heart. Wiping away her tears, she glanced at her lady lying on the couch.

The young lady on the bamboo couch had delicate eyelashes, and her brows were graceful. Her exquisitely beautiful face seemed like a flower on the verge of wilting.

She was so pale that she had lost all color and vitality.

She lay there silently, like a fragile, snow-white porcelain doll that would shatter at the slightest touch.

The sight of the unconscious young lady stirred deep pity in Bai Jiu's heart once again.

The young lady was named Ming Luomeng, the eldest legitimate daughter of Ming Hongqian, the magistrate of Yangzhou. She was only in her early teens. Frail and sickly since childhood, she had always relied on expensive medicine to maintain her health.

Unfortunately, the lady's body was so weak, and she lost her mother at a young age, allowing a woman of humble birth, Madam Bo, to enter the household.

Madam Bo not only brought with her a son, older than Ming Luomeng, who is now the legitimate eldest son of the Ming family, Ming Sian, but later also gave birth to the second daughter, Ming Ying'er.

From that point on, Master Ming's affections became increasingly biased, treating the young lady coldly and with indifference.

Three days ago, at a flower banquet at the Zuo residence, Ming Luomeng unexpectedly fell into the water.