This is my first novel. Starting from my high school days, these characters and stories had already taken shape in my heart three years before I began writing them down.

In the decade after completing it, I continued to write many stories about them, from continuously added side stories to the future chapter “Being an Empress.” It might seem tireless, but in truth, I was simply reluctant to let go.

They have accompanied me for so long that during idle moments, I often imagine what they might encounter in different worlds, how they might meet in different stories.

So in my mind, they’ve become an infinitely folding and reborn story, seeming never to end, yet always remaining the same.

Because no matter what time or space they’re in, they remain who they are – Xiao Huan is forever gentle, attentive, and tolerant; Cangcang always carries that fearless ferocity.

They’re like semicircles wandering endlessly through eternal time and space, only becoming complete circles in the moment they meet each other.

Of course, in my mind, there seems to forever exist such an afternoon:

Cangcang embraces her dear Xiao, sharing simple little troubles, or perhaps she has no troubles at all and merely wants to find topics to chat about with her beloved. Whatever she says, Xiao Huan always smiles patiently and responds, placing gentle kisses on her forehead.

Little Lian plays nearby with his younger brothers and sisters. He might tease Yan and Xie, delighting in seeing his siblings cry in frustration. The twins watch their siblings’ antics with boredom, sharing an apple between them.

Xiao Qianqing, both anxious and jealous, tries to interrupt his brother and sister-in-law, wanting to break their world of two that seems oblivious to others, but Kumor holds him back, insisting he share fine wine with himself and Minjia.

Xiao Ying nestles in Hongqing’s embrace, seeming disconnected from everyone around her, yet somehow caring about them all.

Shiyan and Ban Fangyuan stand guard nearby, with Ban Fangyuan attempting to chat with his superior while Shiyan remains silent as a statue.

Luo Xian thoughtfully watches his young lady, while Su Qian sits beside him, seriously considering whether to challenge him to another duel.

Ling Jueding finally musters the courage to have a proper conversation with “Yun Cong,” but seeing his sister refusing to let go of that person, he can only sigh to the heavens, brooding over his stubbornness.

Ling Xuefeng has finally welcomed his wife after waiting for over twenty years. Laying aside all thorns and resentment, with positions and power becoming like floating clouds, he embraces his beloved wife and looks toward their daughter and son, smiling as happily as he did in years past.

There’s Xiao Yu, held by Chen Luomo’s embrace, sighing about his silver hair when Chen Luomo grabs his collar for a silencing deep kiss.

Xu Lai smiles while fanning himself nearby, until Liu Huaixue snatches away his fan, scolding him for acting romantic by fanning himself in cold weather, replacing it with a steaming cup of clear tea.

Mu Yan carefully asks Zhong Lin if they can return to the Central Plains for New Year this year, but before Zhong Lin can agree, they’re interrupted by the surrounding crowd’s laughter.

The dharma protectors of Lingbi’s school gather in small groups, chatting and gossiping.

The hall masters and incense masters of Fenglai Palace discreetly discuss the weather and matters of the jianghu.

The various sect leaders gather again, planning to organize a martial arts conference – after all, the jianghu being too peaceful isn’t quite right.

Among the court officials, Eunuch Wu Fu instructs new little eunuchs, Lord Zhang Zhuduan drinks tea while asking servants about market prices, General Qi Chengliang trains new soldiers with vigor, and Liu Shi’an, thinking he shouldn’t anger His Majesty anymore, decides to carefully draft a memorial…

They will live forever in some moment of some time and space, stable yet grounded. Occasionally raising their heads to look at the warm afternoon sunlight, they can’t help but share knowing smiles.

That is the world of the Great Martial State, and it is what Xiao Huan wished for all his life – a peaceful realm and people.