In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, the Jiangs make a strategic move to secure a marriage alliance between a late bloomer, Jiang Ying, and the crown prince, Lan Xichen. However, their plans are disrupted when Jiang Ying is abducted before the mee...
The scent of lotus in the air blends with the smell of earth and dampness, bringing a steady breath to the young man lying motionless on the ground. His body begins to regain consciousness as he feels cool water pouring over his face. Slowly, his eyes flutter open to see a blurry figure standing over him, reaching out a hand to help him up. Is he hallucinating, or is this real?
With a groan, Nie Huaisang reaches out and allows himself to be pulled into a sitting position, feeling disoriented and dizzy. As his vision clears, he looks up to see a beautiful woman in her 30s clad in white robes, holding a pitcher of water and a willow branch, looking down at him. Her appearance is ethereal, with long, flowing black hair and piercing blue eyes that seem to see right through him.
He blinks in disbelief at the sight before him, unsure if he's truly awake or caught in some surreal dream. But as he struggles to his feet, his head spinning and his body feeling off-balance, he reaches out and leans against the rock next to him for support.
The woman extends the pitcher of water toward him, a gentle smile on her face as she speaks softly, "Drink, and let the healing waters wash away your pain."
Hesitating for a moment, Nie Huaisang considers whether to trust her, but the throbbing ache in his head convinces him to take a sip. The cool liquid soothes his parched throat and begins to clear his mind, allowing him to focus on his surroundings. "Where am I?" he asks, looking around and taking in the dense forest that envelops him. The trees tower above, their thick foliage blocking out most of the sunlight.
The woman smiles gently at him, her eyes filled with understanding. "You are on my premises, safe from harm. I heard your cries, so I came to help you."
Nie Huaisang blinks in confusion, trying to piece together what happened before he blacked out. The last thing he remembers is being dragged by a masked man and hitting his head on a large rock before passing out. He shudders at the memory, but the soft caress of the willow branch brushing against his cheek brings him back to the present. "Thank you for helping me," he manages to say, his voice hoarse.
The woman smiles warmly, her touch soothing his nerves. "Helping those in need will lend us a hand in times of trouble."
Nie Huaisang nods in a daze, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. He tries to stand up, but the sound of approaching footsteps stops him in his tracks. The noise grows louder, causing Nie Huaisang to freeze in place, his heart racing with fear. He looks to the woman beside him, who gives him a reassuring nod before standing up to face the approaching figure.
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Trembling slightly, Nie Huaisang pulls down the veil on his face to conceal his features. He can't risk revealing his identity without knowing if the newcomer is a friend or foe. With his heart pounding in his chest, he considers what to do if trouble arises again. Praying in his heart, he waits for whatever may come next and is relieved to hear a soothing voice instead of a threat.
