Qingfeng Longying Xianfei Jue

In a corner of the bustling capital, there was an embroidery workshop called "Ruyi Zhai." The workshop owner's daughter, Liu Yan'er, was a beautiful young woman of sixteen. She had eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn water. Moreover, she was skillful and her embroidery was exquisite. The flowers, birds, fish, and insects she embroidered were all lifelike, as if they were alive. One day, Yan'er and her maid went to Jingci Nunnery outside the city to offer incense. The peach blossoms in the nunnery were in full bloom, and the fallen petals were colorful. Yan'er was attracted by the beautiful scenery and strolled among them. Unexpectedly, she met a young gentleman deep in the peach grove.

The young man, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and holding a folding fan, possessed an elegant demeanor, his brows and eyes revealing both a touch of heroism and refinement. When their eyes met, it was as if an electric current passed through them, and for a moment they were both momentarily stunned. The young man was the first to recover, bowing respectfully, "My name is Su Yichen. I apologize for disturbing you, young lady." Yan'er's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gently returned the bow, "You flatter me, young master. It was my rudeness. I was admiring the flowers here and didn't notice anyone else." With that, she hurriedly left with her maid, but her departing figure revealed a hint of panic and shyness.

From that day on, a figure took root in Yan'er's heart. Whenever she embroidered, Su Yichen's face would involuntarily appear in her mind, and the needle in her hand would become unruly, often pricking her fingers. Su Yichen felt the same way. From their first meeting in the peach grove, Yan'er's every smile and frown was deeply imprinted on his heart, impossible to forget. He inquired everywhere and learned that Yan'er was Liu Yan'er from Ruyi Zhai. So he often found excuses to linger near Ruyi Zhai, just hoping to meet Yan'er again.

Finally, by chance, the two met again. It was a bright and sunny afternoon. Yan'er was arranging her newly finished embroidery at the entrance of the embroidery workshop when Su Yichen happened to pass by. Their eyes met, and a thousand words were conveyed in their tender gazes. Su Yichen mustered his courage and confessed his feelings to Yan'er. Yan'er was overjoyed but also shy, and nodded slightly in agreement. After that, the two often went on outings together, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the capital, and their feelings for each other deepened day by day.

However, their good fortune was short-lived. Su Yichen was the son of a high-ranking official, Lord Su. Lord Su was implicated in court intrigues, impeached by his political enemies, and imprisoned on trumped-up charges. The Su family's property was confiscated overnight. Su Yichen, once a wealthy young master, became a prisoner and was exiled to the frontier. Yan'er, upon hearing this news, was devastated. She pleaded everywhere for his life, but to no avail. On the day Su Yichen was exiled, Yan'er broke through the crowd and rushed to the city gate. Looking at Su Yichen's haggard yet resolute face, she wept uncontrollably, "Yichen, you must take care of yourself. I will wait for you to return." Su Yichen's eyes were filled with reluctance and longing, "Yan'er, don't wait for me. Find a good family to marry into." With that, he was escorted away by soldiers.

Upon returning home, Yan'er fell seriously ill. Lying on her sickbed, her eyes were vacant, her heart filled with longing for Su Yichen. Seeing her daughter like this, Liu Fangzhu was heartbroken but didn't know what to do. During Yan'er's illness, another young master from the capital, Zhao Xuan, frequently visited. Zhao Xuan was the son of the capital's richest man, and quite handsome, but he often indulged in the habits of a spoiled brat, relying on his family's wealth. He fell in love with Yan'er at first sight, and upon learning of Su Yichen's exile, he sought to seize the opportunity to win her favor.

Each time Zhao Xuan visited, he brought various precious medicinal herbs and tonics, showering Yan'er with concern. Seeing Zhao Xuan's sincerity and knowing the Su family's current decline, Liu, the shop owner, tried to persuade Yan'er to let go of Su Yichen and consider Zhao Xuan. Yan'er, however, only had eyes for Su Yichen and was deeply resentful of Zhao Xuan's attentiveness, repeatedly turning him away. But Zhao Xuan didn't give up, continuing to visit daily, even promising Liu that if he could marry Yan'er, he would surely bring the Liu family's business to new heights.

Under Liu Fangzhu's repeated persuasion, Yan'er's condition gradually improved. However, her longing for Su Yichen remained undiminished, and she decided to secretly travel to the frontier to find him. So, on a dark and windy night, Yan'er packed her bags and quietly left home with her maid. They endured hardships and traveled through wind and rain, finally arriving at the frontier. However, the frontier was rife with war, and chaos reigned everywhere. Finding Su Yichen in this vast sea of ​​people was no easy task.

Yan'er inquired everywhere about Su Yichen's whereabouts, but to no avail. One day, they encountered a group of bandits on their journey. Seeing Yan'er and her maid's beauty, the bandits harbored evil intentions and surrounded them. Yan'er and her maid trembled with fear. Just as the bandits were about to attack, a general in armor arrived with his soldiers and captured the bandits. The general removed his helmet, revealing himself to be Su Yichen.

It turned out that Su Yichen had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle on the frontier through his wisdom and courage, gradually rising from an ordinary soldier to a general. Looking at Yan'er, whom he had longed for day and night, his eyes were filled with surprise and excitement. "Yan'er, why are you here?" Yan'er burst into tears and threw herself into Su Yichen's arms. "I came to find you. I promised to wait for you, and I will keep my promise." The two embraced tightly, as if time itself had stopped for them.

Su Yichen brought Yan'er back to the military camp. He recounted his experiences on the frontier to her, and Yan'er listened with deep heartache. Although life in the camp was tough, their companionship brought them sweetness and happiness. However, their peaceful days didn't last long. After learning of Su Yichen's achievements on the frontier, the court decided to recall him and restore his official position. But at the same time, a secret decree was issued, ordering him to sever his relationship with Yan'er and marry the Prime Minister's daughter. It turned out that the Prime Minister, wielding immense power in the court, had colluded with Su Yichen's political enemies, intending to consolidate his own power through this marriage.

Su Yichen was caught in a dilemma: on one side was his beloved Yan'er, and on the other was the revival of his family and the pressure from the imperial court. He knew that if he disobeyed the imperial decree, not only would his own life be in danger, but he would also implicate Yan'er and his family. Yan'er saw through Su Yichen's dilemma. She understood his predicament, and although her heart ached, she still decided to sacrifice her own happiness to fulfill Su Yichen's wishes.

"Yichen, please don't be troubled. I'm willing to leave. I only hope that you will be happy and healthy in the future," Yan'er said, fighting back tears. Su Yichen hugged Yan'er tightly. "Yan'er, how could I betray you? What use is this wealth and glory to me without you?" But Yan'er's mind was made up. She left a letter and quietly left under the cover of night.

After returning to the capital, Yan'er locked herself in her room, spending her days in tears. Seeing her daughter like this, Liu Fangzhu was filled with remorse, regretting that she had advised Yan'er to give up on Su Yichen. Meanwhile, Su Yichen, upon returning to the capital, rejected the Prime Minister's marriage proposal and was once again embroiled in court intrigue. His political enemies launched a fierce attack on him, making Su Yichen's situation in court increasingly difficult.

One day, Su Yichen was impeached in court for embezzling military funds; the evidence was irrefutable. Su Yichen knew he had been framed, but he was unable to defend himself and was imprisoned once again. This time, he knew he probably couldn't escape his fate. In prison, he recalled his moments with Yan'er, his heart filled with regret and longing. He wrote a final letter and had it secretly smuggled out to Yan'er.

Upon receiving the letter, Yan'er was devastated. She resolved to rescue Su Yichen at all costs. She sold all her jewelry and embroidery to raise money to bribe the prison guards so she could see Su Yichen. However, when she arrived at the prison, she learned that Su Yichen had already committed suicide. It turned out that Su Yichen, unable to bear the humiliation and not wanting to implicate Yan'er, chose death to prove his innocence.

Holding Su Yichen's lifeless body, Yan'er wept bitterly, "Yichen, why were you so cruel? Leaving me alone in this world, what am I to do?" Her cries were heart-wrenching, as if she were releasing all the injustice and pain of the world. Afterwards, Yan'er returned home and fell seriously ill. On her sickbed, her eyes were empty and lifeless, and she murmured Su Yichen's name. Master Liu sought medical help everywhere, but Yan'er's condition showed no improvement.

On a stormy night, Yan'er's condition suddenly worsened. With her last breath, she took the jade pendant Su Yichen had given her from under her pillow, clutching it tightly in her hand. "Yichen, I've come to find you..." she said, before closing her eyes and passing away. At the very moment Yan'er died, peach blossoms outside the window suddenly began to fall, as if mourning the ill-fated lovers.

Years later, the love story of Liu Yan'er and Su Yichen still circulated in the capital. People lamented their deep affection but tragic fate, and felt sorry for the love tragedy in this chaotic world. After Liu Yan'er's death, Ruyi Zhai gradually declined and eventually disappeared into the annals of history, leaving only that unforgettable love legend, passed down through the ages, becoming an eternal memory in the capital…