Filed to story: My Journey to You Novel (Chinese Drama)
The morning sun rose, and fine snowflakes danced in the air. The old dusty valley was shrouded in mist, blending into the dark blue sky, revealing only faint shadows of vastness and depth that were difficult for people to perceive. The streets in the valley were bustling with the sounds of carriages, pedestrians, and vendors, giving this secluded valley a lively atmosphere.
In a room flickering with candlelight, a slender and fair-skinned woman slowly emerged from under the warm quilt. She wore a thin gown and walked barefoot to the dying brazier, adding fresh charcoal. On a soft bed by the side, a young man was still fast asleep.
After a while, the woman approached the bed and sat on the floor, leaning closer to look at his face. The man had flawless skin, distinct features, and a hint of warmth even in his sleeping state, emanating an indescribable tenderness.
The Wanhua Tower was a place for entertainment, but compared to the night, it appeared desolate and lonely at this moment. Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside, and someone reached out and flipped the sign on the door, changing the blooming peonies to budding flower buds.
Then, a bronze bell hanging in the corner of the room was gently pulled, and its clear sound resonated in the silence.
The woman was none other than the top courtesan in the Wanhua Tower, known as Ziyi. As the bell rang, she welcomed and bid farewell to guests.
Ziyi turned to look at the bell, and at that moment, Gong Ziyu, who was lying on the bed, opened his eyes.
“Awake?” Gong Ziyu rubbed his sleepy eyes, his pupils as black and bright as the midnight stars. He got up and walked straight to the window, pushing it open and propping it up with a support. Scattered snowflakes drifted in through the window, and the wind blew his robe, making him frown from the cold. He adjusted his clothes, hugged himself tightly, and looked up at the grayish-blue sky outside the window.
“It’s snowing… Winter came early this year…” A few snowflakes fell on Gong Ziyu’s eyebrows, creating a sharp contrast. Ziyi walked over and placed a warm hand stove, wrapped in an embroidered pouch, into his arms.
Ziyi chuckled softly, “You really have such a good-looking appearance, tall and strong, skilled with swords and knives, yet you’re so afraid of the cold. Here, I just filled this hand stove for you.”
Then Ziyi handed him a cup of hot tea, and the two stood by the window, holding their cups of steaming tea, watching the snowfall.
Gong Ziyu smiled, his gaze warmer, like the warmth emanating from the hand stove, “No matter how warm the hand stove and hot tea are, they can’t compare to the warmth of Ziyi. Not only is your body warm, but your heart is warm too.”
Ziyi’s face showed a hint of melancholy as she averted her eyes, “Stop teasing. You should tidy up and go back now.”
Gong Ziyu subconsciously glanced outside the door, “What’s the rush? Do we already have guests this early?”
Ziyi teased, “Other guests aren’t like you, spending money and sleeping alone on the bed.”
“I enjoy being with you, not just for… you know…” Gong Ziyu’s usual playful face revealed a hint of shyness, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He liked coming here not for pleasure, but to find a peaceful and comforting place.
Ziyi turned away, “Today is the day when the palace gates welcome a new bride. You should hurry back, or your father will scold you again.”
Upon hearing these words, Gong Ziyu fell silent. He looked up at the window, his thick black hair cascading in the morning light. After a while, he simply responded with a faint “Hmm.”
A snowy day always felt special and lively, even with the clouds and fine snowflakes. It was a good day for weddings.
In the distant Pear Creek Town outside the valley, the same snowy haze prevailed. Among the white-walled houses, a grand mansion stood out prominently. The Yun family was considered a prominent household in town, and they had been closed to visitors for the past few days. The servants in the estate appeared anxious and fearful, while the courtyard remained lifeless. Only a window in one of the side rooms revealed glimpses of red silk and the Chinese character for “double happiness,” indicating that there was joy in the house.
At dawn, a maid entered the room carrying a set of vibrant wedding attire and opened the door to the room.
Inside the room, a classy lady was combing her daughter’s hair. The young girl sat with her back to the door, motionless, so no one could see her face, only her shiny black hair.
When the maid placed the wedding attire on the desk, the lady turned her head and asked, “Is it from the Gong family?”
“Yes, they delivered it early this morning…” the cautious maid replied, “They also said… we should leave immediately.”
Upon hearing this, the girl finally spoke, her voice melodious with a hint of complaint. “Why do we have to hide our marriage like this? Can’t we be open about it?”
The lady’s comb trembled slightly in her hand. She had a restrained expression, tears and guilt in her eyes. She continued combing her daughter’s hair while whispering, “The Wufeng faction is too powerful… We need to be cautious, very cautious…”
The girl’s shoulders slumped, and a chilling wind blew in through the crack in the door. “It’s snowing… Winter came early this year…”
The lady took a deep breath. “Once the snow stops, spring will come.” She murmured to herself, “Things will get better… Our days will get better.”
“Will they?” The girl gathered her pale wrist and resignedly tucked it into her sleeve.
Suddenly, a gust of wind roared behind them. The window burst open, and a man dressed in black rushed into the room like a ghost, bringing in fine snow. His movements were incredibly agile, instantly disabling both of them with acupressure. He then picked up a comb from the desk, swiftly threw it, and the maid at the door screamed and fell to the ground. The snow on the man’s shoulder hadn’t even melted yet, but he had already accomplished all of this.
The lady and her daughter didn’t have time to turn around. The man in black attire swiftly approached the door, latching it from the inside. At the same time, another woman in black attire leaped through the window.