Lady Serenity

Chapter Two: First Encounter

The world was divided into four kingdoms: Eastling, South Yue, West Yuan, and North Snow. Eastling stood above the rest, its prestige unmatched among the four. The Emperor of Eastling, Zhong Aotian, had ascended the throne five years prior and was known as the Emperor of Harmony. In these five years, Eastling had enjoyed favorable weather and bountiful harvests; the land was at peace and the people prospered. The capital city remained ever resplendent, brimming with the vitality of spring, its citizens leading tranquil and contented lives.

As dusk approached, on a mountain road several miles from the capital, silence reigned. The sun hung low, signaling the end of another day. Suddenly, a carriage rushed along the quiet path—a jarring presence on such a deserted road. As it sped by, something flew out of the carriage. With a resounding thud, it hit the ground. Before one could discern what had fallen, the carriage had already disappeared into the distance.

A sharp cry pierced the silence—a little girl’s voice, no more than four or five years old. She looked around, her gaze sweeping the empty road. No one was in sight. The only sounds were the rustling leaves, stirred by the wind. She glanced at the setting sun and thought bitterly how heartless these people were, to abandon her so. Yet her face showed no trace of fear; instead, it was calm and untroubled, as if she had not been cast aside but had come out for a stroll.

She tried to stand, but a searing pain shot through her ankle. Her foot was injured—she had been too